Why LSU Can Win It All

by Brendan Paschal

If you were to tell me a month ago that LSU would be #5 in the nation heading into October I would have said you’re crazy. What’s even crazier is that their offense is producing more than in years past. Remember back in 2016 when the final score of the Alabama game was 0-10? Or when LSU beat Florida 17-16 last year? That was quintessential LSU football – a.k.a score as little points as possible and let the defense run the show. It seemed like Ed Orgeron could never quite get over the hump, and that there was always just one thing missing from greatness. Right when LSU looked to be contenders in the West again they would go and lose to Troy. Yet, 2018 is different. This could be the year of the Tiger. I’m talking about a Ragin’ Cajun Tiger, not some pussycat down in Auburn or a Tiger who is all fat and happy from eating cupcakes every week in South Carolina. LSU is a viable contender to win the national championship this year and if you think otherwise, well, then you’re simple minded. Here’s why LSU could win it all.

1. Joe Burrow 

For the first time in a while, the Tigers don’t have a star running back like Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice. Don’t get me wrong, Nick Brossette and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are still beasts. But, this is the first time in maybe this decade where the best option on 3rd and 15 is not a halfback dive. Joe Burrow was the missing piece. It’s like in the final scene in National Treasure when Nicolas Cage is in the mine and he almost gives up hope. But then he realizes “the secret lies with Charlotte,” and he finally finds the treasure. Ed Orgeron was so close to greatness these past several years, but was missing the final piece of puzzle. It was not until he realized that “the secret lies with the quarterback” that LSU’s potential was fully reached.

Joe Burrow is the real deal. A 4-Star high school recruit – he spent 3 disappointing years at Ohio State. After redshirting his freshman season Burrow must’ve thought that he was biding his time behind J.T. Barrett and would start after Barrett left. But much like Jalen Hurts and Kelly Bryant who both lost their starting spots to underclassmen, Burrow was in an offseason quarterback battle with Dwayne Haskins and Tate Martell. Unlike Hurts and Bryant, Burrow saw the writing on the wall and headed to Louisiana State University as a graduate transfer.

Joe Burrow left Ohio State for something better. Image from OSU Athletics.

LSU received one of the greatest gifts in Burrow. He is a dual threat, reads defenses well, and most importantly does not try to be a hero. Burrow did not throw a single interception in the month of September. That is insane. When facing opponents like Miami, Auburn, and Ole Miss Burrow kept his composure. If you take a look at his performance against Auburn you’ll realize what a special player he is. Going 15-34 for 249 yards and a touchdown Burrow was a seemingly nice, but not great day. What separates Burrow is his ability to keep his composure. After having a lackluster beginning to the game, Burrow remained calm, cool, and collected, exploding late in the second half. While most quarterbacks would start forcing the ball into tight coverage areas in an attempt to make a play, Burrow did not (except for on the 71 yard touchdown pass, but shooters shoot). He knows his role. Get the ball to his tremendous athletic teammates and let them make the highlight reels. I could go on and on about how great Burrow is, but for your sanity I’ll leave it at that.

Joe Burrow is the real deal. Image from Grand Rapids Herald-Review.

2. Defense Continues to be LSU’s Backbone

LSU is defined by their defense. The majority of the teams in the NFL have at least one former LSU player on their defense. The program takes pride in their defense. Even though they lost some stars from last year the Tigers continue to that tradition of knocking the snot out of offenses. Devin White not only terrorizes backfields with his athleticism, but is one of the best at anticipating plays before the ball is even snapped. As one of the smartest players on the field, White helps leads the defense from his linebacker position by sniffing out the run and a predicting the pass.

Devin White is on the watchlist for the Butkus Award. Image from 247 Sports.

White is only one example of this LSU defense. These guys swarm to the ball, react to the run, and defend the pass well. Some might say Greedy Williams was destined to be a cornerback all his life, because when the ball is in the air he’s not letting anyone else touch that ball. I love this defense and they are among only a handful of defenses that I would lineup against Alabama, Clemson, and Georgia and say they have a chance.

Greedy Williams takes what he wants, and he wants the ball. Image from NOLA.

3. Ed Orgeron 

We’ve all seen those movies of a group that was down and out for the count. All hope seems lost. There is no way they will win. All the sudden their leader slowly rises, looks around at his (or her) followers, and they rally around their fearless leader to win against all odds. If you haven’t seen a movie like that, then pretty much any Marvel movie will do. I say that because Ed Orgeron is that type of leader. The only way someone can inspire others to keep fighting is if his followers believe in him, and if they see him as one of them. Orgeron is that someone. I mean those outside the State of Louisiana need closed captioning to understand his interviews. His Cajun accent makes you want to invite the whole neighborhood over for a crawfish boil. Orgeron was not successful at USC because the people could not understand who he was as a person.

Coach O is quintessential LSU. Image from USA Today.

But now he’s at LSU. He is starting to win the recruiting battles in his state against juggernauts like Alabama and Clemson. The highly touted recruits are staying home. All because they buy into Coach O. And once they arrive at LSU they have reason to battle day in and day out. And believe me, LSU needs someone like that more than anything this year. LSU faces one of the toughest schedules in college football. They’ve already played two teams in the Top 10, and have still have to face (22) Florida, (2) Georgia, and (1) Alabama. The only saving grace is that they host Georgia and Alabama this year.

While the likelihood of LSU going undefeated in the regular season is slim, LSU still has a chance to make it to the playoff if they lose only one game – especially if that loss is to Alabama. Last year, I got into an argument with a friend on why Alabama deserved to be in the playoff. I said the committee was wrong to put a team who didn’t even make it to the SEC Championship. But he argued that the committee did not look at that. Instead they take the entire picture in, and select who they believe are the four best teams in the country. Seeing that Alabama won the National Championship last year, I guess they made the right decision. And I hope they make it again this year. LSU is one of the best teams in the nation, and if they lose to (1) Alabama or (2) Georgia that doesn’t take that fact away.

The Tigers are one of the best in the country. Image from LSU Athletics.