SEC West|Baton Rouge, LA|Tiger Stadium (102,321)|2018 Record: 10–3 (5-3)
LSU fans are hopeful that this is the team to beat Alabama and win the West. Ed Orgeron is entering his third official year as head coach at LSU, and has a ton of talent returning as well. Although they lost some big time stars, expect young talent to mix in with proven veterans. With a new RPO system installed and plenty of athleticism around senior quarterback, Joe Burrow, this offense could compliment the defense nicely. LSU is a complete team in 2019.
For years three things were guaranteed in life; death, taxes, and mediocre quarterback play at LSU. One man changed that. Joe Burrow is an excellent quarterback who can win games. With offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger entering his second full season at LSU, Orgeron also picked up Joe Brady. His official title is “wide receivers coach & passing game coordinator”, but in reality Brady joined the Tiger’s staff to help implement the run-pass-option (RPO). Brady has an impressive resume. He learned from the Godfather of the RPO, Joe Moorehead, as a graduate assistant at Penn State, and spent the last two years as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints. If the Tigers can successfully adjust their offense to an RPO, everyone better look out.
The RPO starts and ends with the quarterback. Many critics deemed Joe Burrow (6-4, 216) as a game manager last year, but that’s not fair. In 2018, Burrow joined the team after spring ball and had to learn a whole new playbook. However, as the season progressed so did Burrow. The transfer put up quality numbers last year with 2,894 yards and 16 touchdowns while running for just under 400 yards and adding seven more touchdowns on the ground.
Burrow is used to running the RPO, in fact, he prefers it. Quick decisions and scrappy quarterback play is required, so look for Burrow to thrive with these new plays implemented. That is if he doesn’t hold onto the ball for too long. Burrow was sacked 35 times last year, which is not a mark on the big boys up front. Although he’s not the fastest player on the field by a long shot he’s quick enough to fool a defender on read options and gain ten yards…or 59 (looking at you Georgia.) After Burrow, look for sophomore Myles Brennan (6-5, 183) to gain quality snaps in 2019, who will more than likely be the starter in 2020.
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