SEC East 2020: LSU Tigers

A year later, after an epic 15-0 campaign, most people wonder what LSU can possibly do as an encore. A couple of key coaches and numerous key players are gone, but in typical LSU fashion the Tigers have a bevy of talent waiting to step up and try to prove Ed Orgeron’s crew is more than just a one-year wonder.

All-world quarterback Joe Burrow is gone, as is offensive coach Joe Brady, who put together most of LSU’s potent attack last year. Junior Myles Brennan is the most likely Burrow replacement, and Orgeron sings his praises. Brennan does have the good fortune to get to throw to Biletnikoff Award-winning wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (84 catches, 1,780 yards, 20 TDs) and Terrace Marshall Jr. If tailback Chris Curry can step into Clyde Edwards-Helair’s shoes, it will help. However, the Tigers have to replace four of five offensive linemen, meaning things won’t be easy for any of the offensive skill positions.

Bo Pelini returns to LSU as defensive coordinator and inherits some top-notch talent, although LSU did lose several key 2019 players to the draft. Linebacker could be interesting for the Tigers, who lost a couple of key cogs but picked up graduate transfer Jabril Cox, an all-American from North Dakota State, who wants to prove his incredible talent works just as well in the SEC as it did for the FBS Bison.

LSU’s defensive backs should be stellar again, with Derek Stingley Jr. and JaCoby Stevens leading the way.

The Bayou Bengals face an interesting slate of games in 2020. LSU has a good shot at being undefeated when they face Florida in Gainesville on Oct. 10. Although LSU draws Alabama at home, they also close the season with road games at SEC West rivals Auburn and Texas A&M.

Odds are LSU won’t be able to replicate the 2019 season, but then again, this time last year no one thought that Orgeron’s bunch was about to take the college football world by storm.