The general consensus in Baton Rouge seems to be that this could be the year LSU regains its status as a legitimate football national championship contender.
The Tigers haven’t been a serious threat since 2011 when they finished 13-1 and lost 21-0 to Alabama in the national title game. The following seasons ended in the pre-playoff Chick-fil-A Bowl, the Outback Bowl, the Music City Bowl, the Texas Bowl, the Citrus Bowl (twice) and the Fiesta Bowl.
That’s a good resume, but well below the standards LSU set when the Tigers posted double-digit win totals eight times form 2003 to 2013. The Tigers did manage another 10-win season in 2018, which has significantly raised expectation for 2019.
“It gave us some confidence,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron recently said of last season’s success. “It got LSU back on track where we need to be. It helped us in recruiting. Obviously when you win your bowl, you win 10 games, there’s a lot of positive things going on.”
The Tigers should be optimistic. Eight starters return on both sides of the line of scrimmage. That includes quarterback Joe Burrow but does not include star outside linebacker K’Lavan Chaisson, who missed almost all of last season with a torn ACL.
However, there are reasons to pump the brakes, too. The Tigers’ offense was largely mediocre in 2018, and the receiving corps beyond junior Justin Jefferson is unproven. Also, the defense is without All-American linebacker Devin White and All-American cornerback Greedy Williams, who both opted for early entry into the NFL draft.
Still, the defense projects to be among the best in the Southeastern Conference. Safety Grant Delpit has All-American credentials, while inside linebacker Michael Divinity and defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence are productive players looking to raise their level of performance.
Offensively, the Tigers must replace leading rusher Nick Brossette, but they have the personnel to do so with junior Clyde Edwards-Halaire and five-star prospect John Emery. LSU isn’t expected to rely on tailbacks as much as in previous years, though. Orgeron wants to go to more of an RPO (run/pass option) style of offense, which may be more suited for Burrow’s abilities.
Overall, there are plenty of reasons to expect another 10-win season in Baton Rouge. But there may be too many questions needing answers to project LSU as a national championship contender just yet.
Returning starters (at least six starts)
Areas of strength: As usual, the Tigers figure to be strong in the secondary. Strong safety Grant Delpit is an All-American, and free safety JaCoby Stevens started the last four games of 2018. Cornerback Kristian Fulton has recovered from an ankle injury that prevented him from entering the NFL draft. Also, five-star cornerback prospect Derek Stingley will likely grab a starting position.
Areas of concern: Kicker Cole Tracy won the Groza Award after converting 29 of 33 field goal attempts and all 42 extra points he tried. He set LSU records for field goals in a season and kicked a game-winner against Auburn. He’s completed his eligibility, which leaves LSU looking for a replacement. Connor Culp may get the call. He was the Tigers’ place kicker in 2017 and missed 5 of 16 field goal attempts.
Top players
Biggest loss: Butkus Award winner Devin White was the fifth player selected in the NFL draft. The two-time All-American posted 156 tackles over the last two seasons. The Tigers still have good linebackers, but none are quite the caliber of White.
Impact newcomer: Not only was Stingley the top-rated cornerback and No. 3 overall prospect in the nation, he can also return punts. He enrolled early, participated in spring drills and figures to open the season in the starting lineup.
2019 schedule
