Why/Why Not - Your School This Year

[Deltamud77]

Give the reasons why your school will be successful this year, or why they will not be successful.

I'll start:

School: LSU
Why They Will Be Good: They have talent all over the field, they should have a great offensive line, experienced QB, deep running backs, the defense is talented yet inexperienced, and perhaps most importantly, LSU has a new offensive coordinator that has been very successful. If Miles lets Cam Cameron do his job, I think LSU has the "potential" to compete for an SEC and national title.

Why They Might Be Bad: Youth and inexperience on the defense and lack of depth on the defensive line. Perhaps the only reason Les Miles seems to continually win 10 games per year is John Chavis. Due to an amazing amount of attrition on the defensive side of the ball, LSU does not have a lot of experience. Moreover, they have not recruited the D-line as well in the recent past and they do not have the depth they are accustomed to as a result. Zach Mettenberger did not prove to be the All-SEC level QB that LSU had planned. He is slow by foot and by release. He was absolutely horrible in the redzone. If he does not improve, it will not matter that there is a new OC. He has his receivers back with some positive new comers as well. However, if he doesn't play up to his potential, LSU could be a 4+ loss team due to schedule and a defense that will take a step back.

[SWAG]

MSU:

WHY: We have experience at QB, a good front on the Off and Def lines, depth on the line to get us thru a SEC schedule, good LBs that got a lot of experience last season.

WHY NOT: Beacuse we are MSU... Seriously, we are going to be relying heavily on new people at the WR and DB positions. Our QB. WHile our QB is a positive because of his ability to throw the ball and his game experience, I still think he may be a liability. We are better when we are a ball control/defensive team. Throwing the ball a lot is what you do when you have a QB with these talents, but not sure our QB's talents suit the way we need to play football. Also another negative could be our early season schedule. We could see MSU with their head stuck in the sand if we get beat bad early.

OVERALL: This team has some knowns and some unknowns. If new guys (JC and Frosh) step up then we could be better than expected. Upside is 7-5 or 8-4.....downside is 5-7 or 6-6. Too many unknowns at this point to think it is going to be great or a disaster IMO.

[medic11]

Give the reasons why your school will be successful this year, or why they will not be successful.

I'll start:

School: LSU
Why They Will Be Good: They have talent all over the field, they should have a great offensive line, experienced QB, deep running backs, the defense is talented yet inexperienced, and perhaps most importantly, LSU has a new offensive coordinator that has been very successful. If Miles lets Cam Cameron do his job, I think LSU has the "potential" to compete for an SEC and national title.

Why They Might Be Bad: Youth and inexperience on the defense and lack of depth on the defensive line. Perhaps the only reason Les Miles seems to continually win 10 games per year is John Chavis. Due to an amazing amount of attrition on the defensive side of the ball, LSU does not have a lot of experience. Moreover, they have not recruited the D-line as well in the recent past and they do not have the depth they are accustomed to as a result. Zach Mettenberger did not prove to be the All-SEC level QB that LSU had planned. He is slow by foot and by release. He was absolutely horrible in the redzone. If he does not improve, it will not matter that there is a new OC. He has his receivers back with some positive new comers as well. However, if he doesn't play up to his potential, LSU could be a 4+ loss team due to schedule and a defense that will take a step back.

Looks like Wiliford may be done for the season. Reports show Vadal has an injury also. O-Line getting thinner by the day.

[Deltamud77]

Yep, two starters out in the first week...one for the season and the other likely for the season as well. This is 4 years in a row that LSU has lost a starting lineman for the season before the first kick-off.

The line was once thought to be the strength of the team. It has quickly become a liability and it appears that a true freshman may have to start before it is all over.

I have a really bad feeling about this team all of the sudden. As recently as this week, I thought LSU had a lot of talent...I think I over estimated things.

They are really young and/or thin in the secondary, defensive line and now offensive line. They are deep at running back, receiver and linebacker.

I could easily see a 7-5 campaign this fall.

[Bourbon]

I think at worst LSU will be 9-3. I think we end up losing 2 games this year, most likely Georgia and Bama. Could also drop one to either Florida or A&M (depending on Johnny Football). On paper, too much talent and coaching to lose 5 games. Miles has only lost more than three games twice in his LSU career. With Chavis and Cameron coaching, I don't see us losing 5.

But crazier things have happened, especially with Les at the helm!

[Deltamud77]

I think at worst LSU will be 9-3. I think we end up losing 2 games this year, most likely Georgia and Bama. Could also drop one to either Florida or A&M (depending on Johnny Football). On paper, too much talent and coaching to lose 5 games. Miles has only lost more than three games twice in his LSU career. With Chavis and Cameron coaching, I don't see us losing 5.

But crazier things have happened, especially with Les at the helm!

Apparently Vadal practiced with the 1st team today and was beast mode. Only down one starter on the o-line. Read a report that Andy Dodd and Ethan Pocic (remember those names) are having a great camp and will receive a lot of PT on the o-line this year and one would likely start if another starter goes down.

[medic11]

Pocic is going to be the real deal along with Dodd. Worried about DJ Welter running #1 at MLB right now. Maybe "freak" Johnson will live up to the hype on the line this year also

[Deltamud77]

Pocic is going to be the real deal along with Dodd. Worried about DJ Welter running #1 at MLB right now. Maybe "freak" Johnson will live up to the hype on the line this year also

This year, sadly, may look similar to the 2008 season when LSU scored a lot of points but lost games because the defense sucked. Think about it this way, there is no one back as a starter from a defensive line that under performed last year...with all four being in the NFL this year. The best linebacker is gone. The one large liability in the secondary last year, Loston, is supposed to be the leader this year and they don't know who the other safety will be at this point.

The defense is filled with 4 and 5 star recruits, but so far, many of those high school stars have not panned out.

Going back to the D-line, I think Johnson and Ferguson will be pretty beastmode all year. There is really no one behind them that can be dominant. There are a bunch of freshmen with promise, but d-line in the SEC is probably the hardest area of the field to make an impact....that is the land of grown a$^ men.

I foresee a lot of 34-31 football games for LSU this year in SEC play...winning some and losing some. Bama will probably run for 500 yards against LSU this year.

Food for thought...but for the NFL early entry (and weed), LSU could be starting Bennie Logan, Mingo, Montgomery, Honeybadger, Reed and Minter this year on defense. All of those players will be NFL starters this year. The Honeybadger, according to some in Arizona media, is already the best player on the Cardinals roster, which is mind blowing when you consider he has not played in a year and when arguably the best cornerback in the NFL is on that team too in Patrick Peterson.

[rebelduckaholic]

Why we could win 7-8. We Are Ole Miss

Why could we be real bad. We Are Ole Miss

Who knows really. The schedule is not pretty in its self. I mean you have the regular stout SEC schedule then you add to that lots of road games to start. The depth is not there as a whole but appears to be getting better

[4dawgma]

State goes 5-7, Mullen hops in the hot seat. Spend the new few years rebuilding with another mid level coach climaxing in an 9 win season. Lose out in a bowl game. Repeat cycle.....

[Po Monkey Lounger]

For the Rebels this season, this is a difficult question to answer. To do so, one must first define "success" for this team. To me, success would mean duplicating or improving by one win, the win total from last season.

The Rebels still have depth issues at some positions, which make us more vulnerable to injuries than some of the teams we will face on our schedule ---eg cornerback, OL, and TE. For instance, we were very lucky last season that our OL sustained no serious injuries during the season. In order to provide the needed depth, once again, several true freshman are going to have to play in the two deep. How well and how fast they can adjust to the speed of the college game will impact the Rebels' fate this season.

Due to the tough schedule the Rebels face , including a 5 game stretch run of successive games against Texas, Alabama, and Auburn on the road, followed by TAM and LSU at home, the Rebels could be a significantly improved team this year and still not do any better in the win column than last season. How well we handle that stretch of games will likely define our season. We will likely struggle to duplicate last season's regular season win total of 6 games. The first game against Vandy will be a key game in accomplishing that goal.

My expectations for this season for the Rebels are rather modest: to continue playing inspired, slobber knocking football for 60 minutes, never quit, and leave it all on the field each and every game. If the team/players will do that, they will again be fun to watch, they will improve as the season progresses, and the record will likely take care of itself with enough wins to go to a second straight post-season bowl.

The Rebels have some very talented and exciting playmakers returning on both sides of the ball: Wallace/QB, Moncrief/WR, Scott/RB, D. Nkemdiche/OLB, CJ Johnson/DE, C. Prewitt/S, etc. I am looking forward to great seasons from each of these players.

And there are some potential new playmakers who will likely make a very significant impact this season: R. Nkemdiche/DE, LaQuan Treadwell/WR, Quincy Adebayo/WR, Tony Conner/Husky, and Laremy Tunsil/OL are a few examples --- all of these players have been showing up very well in fall practices to-date. Also, of note, Kailo Moore/ RB-KR was turning heads with his speed and elusiveness in the open field, until he was slowed by a concussion injury. Robert Nkemdiche will likely start at DE at some point in the season, but regardless of who starts, he will play a lot. This manchild is the real deal ---- he showed up in camp as a true frosh, already bigger, stronger and faster than most anyone else on our defensive front. Once he grasps the mental part of the game, he will be a load to try to stop for opposing offenses. With opposing defenses trying to double Moncrief, Quan and Quincy are going to make some big plays for us this season --- they are tall, physical receivers who can elevate, run good routes, and catch the ball in traffic. They don't look like freshmen. Conner will likely start at Husky by mid-season. He is already in the two deep and pushing the starter there --- he is very fast and hits like a truck. Tunsil is an athletic big body with power --- and does not look or play like a freshman. Once he has the playbook down, he will take off. He is already in the two deep on the OL and will likely start at some point this season, especially if there is an injury to any of the current/returning starters (watch out for frosh Austin Gholson as well --- while the coaches would probably like to redshirt him, that may not be possible --- he is the same type of player as Tunsil). Kailo Moore will be part of the gameplan on offense this season, with specific sets designed to get him the ball in open space --- he has the speed to take it to the house if only a little open field is present --- John Avery, Mike Wallace, JR Ambrose type of speed. His only knocks are his lack of size to withstand a lot of pounding and his pass blocking skills at this point --- thus, he will be used as a RB in limited carries per game, and as a KR option on kickoffs. He probably needs a reshirt year to develop physically, but he is already a weapon with his speed, so he likely will play. I am looking forward to watching these guys, as well as all of our new frosh and redshirt frosh develop this season into playmakers for us.

Bottom line: at this point, a 6-6 regular season or better would be considered a "success" for the Rebels. This assessment may change during the season, depending upon how good, or bad, some of our opponents turn out to be. Some of the reasons why such a season is possible, are the players listed above. One of the reasons why we might not do as well as last season would be too many injuries to key players. Just gotta play hard and let the chips fall where they may.

I'll be at most all of the home games, barring any family ER. Also have plans to go to Austin, Texas --- should be a fun road trip --- looking forward to it.

Opening kickoff to football season is right around the corner now, as is the season opening weekend of dove season. Can't wait for both. Hotty Toddy fellow Rebels. Keep your fins up and get your minds right, free of the nonsense. Its time.

[duckter]

Alabama 14-0
National Champions
Why? From top to bottom - loads of talent and a coaching staff that continues to develop, drive and improve. The stable of running backs is unlike any in the history of the school. The stable of wide receivers is unlike any in the history of the school.

11-3
Sugar Bowl Champions
Why? McCarron could get hurt. Also, 3 newcomers to the OL -though big and talented, will await to see how they perform.

Among the incoming talent, it will be interesting to see one particular running back. 5-star kid from Yulee, FL that as a Senior last year, he became the all-time leading rusher in High School football history. Was a starter since the 9th grade and never failed to reach the 100 yard mark during his tenure. Also, he's 6'-3" 238 lbs. His name is Derrick Henry.

[adame]

[duckter]

I'll have to share my comment of the year I made to an Ole Miss buddy last year -

On the day of the BBVA Compass Bowl (or whatever they call it), he's decided to get in the car that morning to head the game with his son. So, I answer the phone, "Hello?" He says, "Duckter, what's the best way to get to Birmingham?" I promtly replied, "By winning 6 games!" ...and I hung-up and laughed!!!! Yeah, he called back.