Predicting the 2019 SEC Football Season: LSU Tigers

We head down to the bayou for installment number six of wild blind dart-throwing predictions.

Coach: Ed Orgeron (25-9, SEC 15-7, beginning his fourth season at LSU; Career 41–36 at OM, So Cal, LSU)

2018 record: 10-3 (5-3 in SEC, T-2nd in the West Division)

CB969 2018 Prediction: 6-6; “...they probably win a game they shouldn’t and then lose one they shouldn’t but get just enough to make it to a bowl game in Birmingham or lovely downtown Shreveport.”

Looking back: The Tigers started out 5-0 last fall, ascending to the #5 team in the land until a trip to the Swamp brought them back to terra firma. After wins over home UGA and MSU, Bama came to town and ended those happy feelings with a 29-0 stomp. Soon after came the tragic opera that was the seven overtime loss to TAMU.

Returning starters: 5 on offense, 6 on defense, punter.

Key losses: LB Devin White (Round 1, Buccaneers), CB Greedy Williams (Round 2, Browns), TE Foster Moreau (Round 4, Raiders), RB Nick Brossette, DT Ed Alexander, S John Battle, K Cole Tracy, OG Kardell Thomas (incoming frosh/projected starter out for the season with injury), WR Drake Davis (trouble), DB Kelvin Joseph (in transfer portal).

Top returnees: Defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, C Lloyd Cushenberry, DT Rashard Lawrence, DB Grant Delpit, DB Kristian Fulton, QB Joe Burrow, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, OL Damien Lewis, WR Justin Jefferson, LB Michael Divinity, LB Jacob Phillips, TE Stephen Sullivan, P Zach Von Rosenberg.

Top newcomers: DB Derek Stingley (Baton Rouge, LA), RB John Emery (Destrehan, LA), LB Marcel Brooks (Flower Mound, TX), ATH Trey Palmer (Kentwood, LA), ATH Maurice Hampton (Memphis, TN), DT Siaki Ika (Salt Lake City, UT), RB Tyrion Davis (Baton Rouge, LA), OL Ray Parker (Ruston, LA), LB Donte Starks (New Orleans, LA), ATH Devonta Lee (Amite, LA), OL Anthony Bradford (Muskegon, MI), OL Thomas Perry (Lafayette, LA).

Name you need to know: Derek Stingley is a darn good DB and probably the reason that Kelvin Joseph jumped into the Quitter Hole®. He also returns punt and will likely do so for the Bayou Bengals this fall.

Strengths: Strong secondary... Somehow, Coach O has been able to retain Aranda for a fourth season in Red Stick... return of leading receiver Justin Jefferson... Getting Vandy in cross-divisional play... Defensive depth...

Weaknesses: Rebuilding the OL... Need a leader in the front seven to replace Devin White (finally free)... No potential game changer on offense outside of maybe Jefferson has emerged... Is Connor Culp ready to resume kicking duties that he lost a season ago?... Playing in the SEC West... Coach O is bound to screw one game up that he is supposed to win...

Outlook: I keep doubting Ol’ Ed but he somehow manages to keep things afloat in Baton Rouge. That said, he is 1-5 against Alabama and Florida. Former AD Joe Alleva and his baffling moves are gone. His successor is LSU alum and BR native Scott Woodward. How patient will a “fan” AD be?

2019 SCHEDULE:

Sat, Aug 31 vs Georgia Southern - W
Sat, Sep 7 @ Texas - L - I may be the only person in the world who doesn’t wear burnt orange picking the ‘Horns to win this one. UT has emotion, momentum and home field on their side. Too bad they’ll lose to Oklahoma and someone like TCU or Iowa State later on.
Sat, Sep 14 vs Northwestern State - W
Sat, Sep 21 @ Vanderbilt - W
Sat, Sep 28 bye
Sat, Oct 5 vs Utah State - W
Sat, Oct 12 vs Florida - W - I’m just not buying the Mullen/Feleipe Franks hype machine.
Sat, Oct 19 @ Mississippi State - W - trap game?
Sat, Oct 26 vs Auburn - L - This could go either way but it just feels like one of those games.
Sat, Nov 23 bye
Sat, Nov 9 @ Alabama - L
Sat, Nov 16 @ Ole Miss - W
Sat, Nov 23 vs Arkansas - W
Sat, Nov 30 vs Texas A&M - W - Coach O gonna git dem boys all riled up n dey gonna whoop up on dem Aggies.

LSU should be good, but not great. I am still not sure that Joe Burrow is the kind of QB that can lead a team to grand accomplishments. Orgeron is still Orgeron. Emotion and player talent can only take a team so far. At some point, football smarts and instincts are needed to win a game or two.

Let’s go Bowling! Yes, they have a shot at a New Year’s Day game.

Double Polls!

Previous Predictions:

• Arkansas Razorbackwards
• Ole Misery
• Jimbo’s Aggies
• Clanga-Clang
• Tennessee