Well, after week 1 I think I feel the same way. LSU played so-so, not real sharp, sloppy at times, also showed why they are a top 10 team. I think I have the same questions about the team as I had before week 1, the young secondary.
Potential issues:
D
- Experience at CB... they seemed to hold there own but kind of shaky.
- LBs actually played well including some true freshman.
- DL looked solid but not the superman status.
O
- Mett was ok, got his bell rang, overall did ok for his first D-1 start.
- WRs Landry has solidified his position and Beckham scored on a punt return. Shepard former 5-star is now probably 3-4 on the depth chart, still seems to struggle in pass routes and catching the ball.
- OL actually struggled in pass protection... some concern there for me.
- RBs look tough and sharp
Right now, either due to the competition, the opponent, lose of personnel, the hurricane or other... the Tigers did not look as sharp as they did against Oregon on opening day last year.
At this point, I do not think the D is as good as they were last year but it's still the beginning of the year. I think the O is going to have to score at times a lot more, which mean a vertical game.
Players that stood out in a good way:
- Hillard
- Beckham
- Landry
- Mingo
- Jones (true freshman) playing OLB
Players that stood out in a bad way:
- Loston (former 5-star) looks slow and out of touch
- Shepard (former 5-star) looking like well Shepard... bad routes, bad hands, does nothing unless he is completely in the open
- OL various personel
LSU played 12 true freshman and much of it was early in the game. LSU did rack up the most yards in a game since 2007 but I think fans want to see more vertical game.
This was the year I picked for the NC for LSU 2-3 years ago, however that was before quite a few left early for the draft and now the suspension of TM.
With that said, there are quite a few more questions with the loss of TM and several other secondary players leaving the team that puts a big question mark in this area. To me LSU went from the deepest secondary to very thin, I still think the secondary is real good but experience could be a problem... losing 5 CB/S in the last few months. I still feel good about the secondary but if the injury bug hits than it could get rough real quick.
Another question mark is young LBs, I expect quite a few true freshman in the LB positions. LSU is very solid in the DL, to me the best DL in the nation, matter of fact, LSU could have the 1st and 3rd best DLs if they were separate units. Where as last year LSU rotated 8-10 guys, I expect 10-12 guy rotation this year.
Offense is where I think the team will be better and despite the NC game, I thought LSU got back to playing Tiger football at least in the early part of the year. Replacing Reuben is the only thing I would like to see, hopefully someone steps. LSU can't play this get up by 20 points and shut down the passing game, the other team puts 9 in the box in the 3rd quarter you go to the pass. If you are up by 30 points and the second string QB is in there, they put 9 in the box, you throw the ball. You have to improve, which I did not think LSU took advantage from last year when they had victories secured.
Worse case: 2 losses
Best case: SECC and NC
For LSU to win the NC the secondary has to step and avoid injury and the passing game has to improve.
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