Orgeron's mission to restore LSU dominance starts with offensive overhaul

Prior to SEC Media Days July 10-13, Olin will preview each of Texas A&M's conference opponents for the 2017 season. Follow the whole series here.

All LSU needed was 19 points. Had the Tigers scored just 19 points in its four losses in 2016, they would have gone unbeaten.

Two of those losses came in the first month of the season, which prompted the firing of Les Miles and the promotion Ed Orgeron to head coach. After Orgeron was named coach, the Tigers averaged 32 points in eight games. That includes a 10-0 loss to Alabama and a 16-10 loss to Florida.

Upgrading Miles’ stone-age offense is clearly Orgeron’s top priority. He addressed that by bringing in new Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada from Pittsburgh, which last season ranked 10th in the nation with a 40.9 scoring average.

But keep in mind that Canada was fired from the same position at North Carolina State in 2015 after the Wolfpack was ranked 57th in total offense — 18 spots lower than LSU.

Also, keep in mind that even though Canada inherits Derrius Guice, perhaps the nation’s most explosive running back, he also takes over an offense that’s replacing its top two receivers, best offensive lineman and still has a dreary outlook at quarterback.

LSU has typically compensated for its offensive issues by playing excellent defense. The Tigers again expect to be very good on defense with walloping pass rusher Arden Key, perhaps the Southeastern Conference’s most feared defensive player this season, leading the way.

However, the Tigers must replace five defensive players that were selected in the NFL draft, including two first-round picks and two third-round picks. LSU is known for having great depth, but that’s a lot of talent to replace. It’ll be difficult — even improbable — to duplicate last year’s defensive effort in which the Tigers were ranked fifth in the nation in points allowed.

Some will also question the ability of Orgeron as head coach because of previous failures. He was just 10-25 in three seasons (2005-07) as head coach at Ole Miss.

However, he went 6-2 as an interim head coach at USC in 2013 and then 6-2 after replacing Miles last season. Given a second chance as a head coach, Orgeron may prove capable of restoring LSU’s status as a national power.

But with the quarterback issues and holes to fill on defense that probably won’t be this year.

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2016 record: 8-4; 5-3
Postseason results: Defeated Louisville 29-9 in Citrus Bowl
Coach: Ed Orgeron (2nd, 6-2 at LSU)

Returning starters

• Offense (6): WR D.J. Chark, G Will Clapp, QB Danny Etling, RB Derrius Guice, T K.J. Malone, T Mama Teuhema

• Defense (5): FS John Battle, NT Greg Gilmore, CB Donte Jackson, LB Arden Key, C Kevin Tolliver

• Special teams (2): P Josh Growden, KR Donte Jackson

Strengths: The Tigers’ running game was ranked 21st in the nation in 2016. Don’t expect much difference in ’17. True, two starters were lost in the offensive line — most notably center Ethan Pocic. LSU tends to find adequate replacements, though. More importantly, the guy for whom they will be blocking, junior Derrius Guice, is a dazzling combination of breakaway speed and enough power to break tackles. He rushed for 1,387 yards last season though he was technically a backup to injured Leonard Fournette. He’ll get all the carries all the time this year. Also, expect LSU to have a productive pass rush as usual with outside LB Arden Key leading the charge. There were some huge losses in the secondary, but LSU typically reloads there as well as any program in the nation. The Tigers won’t be as strong in the defensive backfield, but history shows they will be good.


Weaknesses: Though its performance against Texas A&M would suggest otherwise, LSU’s passing attack is abysmal. The arrival of OC Dave Canada will help, but a coach can only do so much. The Tigers were 101st in the nation in passing last year, and that was with receivers Malachi Dupre and Travin Dural, who’ve gone on to the NFL. Although D.J. Chark could be a big-play receiver, the Tigers aren’t likely to be as good there. Quarterback Danny Etling is average at best.

Top three players

• Derrius Guice, RB: Leonard Fournette’s backup the last two season may be — dare we say — better than Fournette. Guice is at least Fournette’s equal as a breakaway threat, which he demonstrated last year with a 96-yard touchdown run against Arkansas and a 70-yard scoring run against Louisville. He rushed for 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns as Fournette’s understudy. Now that he’s the Tigers’ No. 1 back he could make a serious run at the Heisman Trophy.

• Arden Key, LB: The best pass rusher in the SEC, perhaps the nation. Key posted 12 sacks for 85 yards in losses as a defensive end last season. This year, he’s projected as a standup outside linebacker. It really doesn’t matter what he’s called; he’s a major threat to opposing quarterbacks.

• Will Clapp, OL: Probably the Tigers most versatile lineman and definitely their best. He’s big and extremely strong. Made the All-SEC freshman team in ’16 and will vie for All-SEC honors this year. The biggest question about him is whether he’ll remain at guard or shift to center to replace the departed Ethan Pocic.

Emerging star: Receiver D.J. Chark has only 26 career catches, all of which came last season. But that was as the No. 3 option among receivers, with a mediocre quarterback and with a Neanderthal offensive scheme. He’ll be the No. 1 target now, and the offensive system is updated. Alas the quarterback remains the same. Still, Chark, who is tall and very fast, figures to get at least 50 catches and maybe 1,000 receiving yards.

Impact newcomer: Houston product Grant Delpit, a 6-foot-3 freshman with great speed, could be LSU’s next great defensive back. But the highest profile newcomer is unquestionably Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada, who’s charged with adding imagination to LSU’s offense. If he can better utilize the offensive talent, the Tigers could be as scary on offense as they typically are on defense.

Biggest losses: Eight LSU players were selected in the NFL draft. That includes six in the first three rounds. Obviously, the Tigers have holes to fill. LSU has produced defensive backs like an assembly line in recent years, but replacing first-round picks Jamal Adams and Tre’Davious White is still going to be difficult. The Tigers also lost very good receivers Travin Dural and Malachi Dupre and two linebackers — Duke Riley and Kendell Beckwith — who were both third-round picks. Replacing their production won’t be easy. Also gone is All-SEC center Ethan Pocic, a second-round selection. The Tigers feel Will Clapp could adequately replace Pocic at center, but a player of Pocic’s caliber will be missed.

2017 Schedule
Sept. 2 vs. BYU at Houston
Sept. 9 vs. Chattanooga
Sept. 16 at Mississippi State
Sept. 23 vs. Syracuse
Sept. 30 vs. Troy
Oct. 7 at Florida
Oct. 14 vs. Auburn
Oct. 21 at Ole Miss
Nov. 4 at Alabama
Nov. 11 vs. Arkansas
Nov. 18 at Tennessee
Nov. 25 vs. Texas A&M