Over the course of the next several weeks, the SoBros Network crew will be going team-by-team through the SEC, previewing the 2018 American tackle football season. Up next, the LSU Tigers!
2018 LSU Preview
The Tigers always seem to be fast and athletic, but I don’t know if they’ll be able to withstand all the turnover and get by on talent alone this season. Namely, it’s that offense that’s concerning. There’s a new coordinator in town, Steve Ensminger, that has the Tiger faithful plenty optimistic. But, they’re down to just two scholarship quarterbacks, and you wonder how he’s going to sort the mess out. What’s the old saying? If you have more than one quarterback, you don’t have any? Well, what’s the saying if you don’t have any? Too harsh? Moving on, Myles Brennan is the favorite to land the job, with Ohio State graduate transfer Joe Burrow on his heels. Head coach Ed Orgeron is concerned.
But, then again, how often does LSU boast strong quarterback play? It’s all about the ground and pound in Baton Rouge. There’s some unproven talent in the backfield, but the offensive line should be one of the strongest in the entire SEC.
On defense, it’s going to be business as usual. A lot of talented linebackers, speed in the secondary, and a stout defensive line. But, as is the case on offense, there’s a lot of unproven talent, and for LSU to truly contend in the SEC, they’re going to have to jell quickly, or else Coach O might find himself seeking employment elsewhere come January.
2018 Tigers Schedule
Sunday 9/2: vs. Miami (Arlington, TX) – It’s a huge test early in the form of a Hurricanes team that has College Football Playoff aspirations. Unfortunately, for the Tigers, I think their CFP aspirations will be shot down in Week 1.
Saturday 9/8: vs. Southeastern Louisiana – An effective tune-up in between big games. LSU wins easily.
Saturday 9/15: @ Auburn – On the road against an experienced Auburn team? Yeah, that’s a no from me, dawg. Alternative analysis: I bet the Tigers will win. See what I did there?
Saturday 9/22: vs. Louisiana Tech – Another relatively comfortable win that sees the Tigers improve to 2-2.
Saturday 9/29: vs. Ole Miss – The Tigers certainly don’t have an offense that can score with the Rebs, so any hope of a victory is contingent upon shutting them down. That could prove to be too tall a task.
Saturday 10/6: @ Florida – Feels like LSU is kind of the Florida of the SEC West. This game looks like a toss-up, so I’m going with the home team in that case.
Saturday 10/13: vs. Georgia – Nope.
Saturday 10/20: vs. Mississippi State – Though I do think the Bulldogs are being a bit overrated, they’re still in a much better position than LSU. On the road, though? Who knows?
Saturday 10/27: BYE WEEK
Saturday 11/3: vs. Alabama – Nope.
Saturday 11/10: @ Arkansas – I like LSU in this game simply by virtue of thinking the Razorbacks will be the worst team in the SEC this season.
Saturday 11/17: vs. Rice – A late season home win for the Tigers.
Saturday 11/24: @ Texas A&M – The Tigers could roll into College Station with bowl eligibility on the line in this game. That said, I like Jimbo’s Aggies, and believe they’ll be better than we’re anticipating.
Prediction
Maybe you’ve picked this up in the tone of this post, but I don’t really like LSU very much this season. I’m shocked that they’re getting top 30 rub in some publications. I wouldn’t be surprised at all for this team to finish 4-8 and provide the death nail for Coach O in Baton Rouge. That is a brutal stretch of seven games from 9/15-11/3. Ultimately, I do think they win a couple of their toss-up games (Miami, Ole Miss, Florida, Texas A&M) and eke out a bowl appearance. But, at least in this writer’s opinion, this is a program that I expect to be rebuilding in a year or two.
Other 2018 SEC Previews
Alabama Crimson Tide
Arkansas Razorbacks
Auburn Tigers
Florida Gators
Georgia Bulldogs
Kentucky Wildcats
LSU Tigers
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Missouri Tigers
Ole Miss Rebels
South Carolina Gamecocks
Tennessee Volunteers
Texas A&M Aggies
Vanderbilt Commodores
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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