LSU Preview: Can Ed Orgeron save his job?
Thanks to the firing of 50% of the SEC coaches, Ed Orgeron is on the hottest seat in the SEC. In fact, after a season when LSU was awful offensively, failed to beat Alabama, didn’t even figure in the SEC West AND was upset by Troy to boot, it’s a small miracle that he stayed in Baton Rouge for the 2018 season.
Yes, the 9-4 record may have stood out with a 6-2 record in the SEC, but if you look deeply into the season, the Tigers were more unimpressive than impressive all season long – particularly on points-scoring side of the ball.
Despite all of this, LSU had seven picks in the 2018 NFL Draft (yes, even Danny Etling was drafted (by the New England Patriots) – although the school sent no first-round picks to the professional leagues.
But this year, LSU fans are praying things will be different. There’s a new offensive coordinator in town in Steve Ensminger and there’s a new quarterback in Ohio State transfer Joe Burrow, who many believe will take the starting job. Orgeron needs this.
OFFENSE
As we may have mentioned, the Tigers were a no-geaux on offense last year. And that was the reason why Orgeron said at the SEC Media Days this year in Atlanta that he made a mistake with his hire of Matt Canada. The team was 54th in national offense, 84th in passing offense, and 28th in rushing offense. The Tigers were 63rd in the country when they played conference opponents, and 57th when they played ranked teams. More tellingly, the team only converted 3rd downs 41% of the time (57th in the league).
But things should be better with Burrow, who was in the battle for the Ohio State job last year but lost it to the electric Dwayne Haskins (we don’t like them B1G folks, but watch the kid play!). He had a great Spring Game at the Horseshoe and killed it in high school, but will he be able to step up? Despite the loss of DJ Chark and Russell Gage, there is certainly wide receiving talent that he can use, including incoming Texas Tech transfer Jonathan Giles, who had a 1,153 yard, 13 TD season for the Raiders last year before moving. LSU fans are really excited about Justin Jefferson and freshman Terrace Marshall, a 5-star recruit who cried on Signing Day when penning the dotted line.
But it’s not all about the passing game. The school is also going to have to deal with the loss of RB Derrius Guice, who ran for 1,251 yards, as well as trying to work out who’s going to be good. Nick Brossette, Lanard Fournette, Clyde Edwards-Helaire didn’t show anything in 2017 – but freshman Chris Curry might excite people.
Interestingly, Orgeron mined the JUCOs to try and set up a good offensive line (including No.1 Juco tackle Badara Traore)- and there is confidence that that will happen.
DEFENSE
LB Devin White was the 11th-best defensive player in the country, recording 133 tackles including 37 solo tackles and 14 TFL), and he’s back for what will probably be his final year before going to the NFL. Rashard Lawrence is a stud, and there’s excitement about Texas Tech transfer Breiden Fehoko, who didn’t play in 2017.
The secondary is going to be solid, despite the losses of Donte Jackson and Kevin Toliver. CB Greedy Williams will excite – he’s on the Thorpe Shortlist as one of the nation’s top defensive backs players to watch. He had 11 pass break-ups last year. The problem that Williams has is that SEC quarterbacks may focus on throwing at other players – although don’t underestimate John Battle.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 1 vs. Miami (at Arlington)
Sept. 8 SE Louisiana
Sept. 15 at Auburn
Sept. 22 Louisiana Tech
Sept. 29 Ole Miss
Oct. 6 at Florida
Oct. 13 Georgia
Oct. 20 Mississippi State
Oct. 27 OPEN DATE
Nov. 3 Alabama
Nov. 10 at Arkansas
Nov. 17 Rice
Nov. 24 at Texas A&M
LSU’s schedule is evil. While we know The Devil of the SEC West, but then opening up with a mean Miami side could cause a whole lot of problems. Do not be surprised if the young Tigers come out with a loss. We also think they’ll lose in Auburn’s revenge game on the road, while beating both Louisiana schools. The Tigers should then beat Ole Miss and Florida before losing a close one to Georgia at home. The Tigers’ biggest revenge game will be Mississippi State, who caned them in Starkville last year. We think they’ll beat the Bulldogs. Then comes Alabama at home. Sorry Tigers fans, but we predict the curse to continue. We think LSU will go and beat Arkansas on the road and Rice at home before going to an ignited Texas A&M and lose their final game.
FINAL VERDICT: 7-5. Goodbye, Ed Orgeron. Hello, Matt Canada.