Harold Perkins Jr. l Photo By : Beau Brune
LSU
2023 Results: 10-3, 6-2 SEC
2024 Projection: 8-4, 4-4 SEC
Overview:
Brian Kelly won’t have Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels this season and while LSU always has talent at the skill positions, it is hard to replace the production Daniels provided through the air and on the ground. Garrett Nussmeier got a chance to get his feet wet in the bowl game victory over Wisconsin and performed well, but establishing the run game with a prototypical pocket passer will be a new wrinkle for Kelly and his staff.
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- Photo by: Gus Stark
Offense:
Along with a new quarterback, a new offensive coordinator will be dialing up plays in Joe Sloan. Sloan will look to sophomore Kaleb Jackson to lead his rushing attack, while Kyren Lacy and Brian Thomas are poised for breakout seasons at wide receiver. The offensive line returns four starters from 2023, so Nussmeier should be able to lean on a downhill running game and solid protection in the passing game while he settles in as the new starter. The offense won’t be as good as it was with Daniels, but they will be good enough to stay in every game on their schedule.
Defense:
For years, you could count on LSU’s defense to lead the way, but that hasn’t been the case under Kelly, or Orgeron before him to be fair. Last season’s defense was not one to remember, allowing 416.6 yards and 28 points per game. They have to improve on that number with the expected dip in offensive production. Harold Perkins Jr is a beast at linebacker and the secondary returns production and experience led by safety Major Burns, but the line is a question mark that Kelly failed to address in recruiting and the transfer portal so that is something to keep an eye on.
Special Teams:
Zavion Thomas has game-breaking ability in the return game and Damian Ramos is a dependable placekicker, leading the FBS in PAT’s made (77-77). Peyton Todd is an unknown at punter, but LSU has a tradition of playing great special teams so I would expect him to settle into his new role quickly.
Final Thoughts:
This team has playoff potential, and entering year three at the helm, Kelly needs to at least be in the running to stay in the good graces of LSU fans. If the defense can improve its numbers, the offense should hold its own. I haven’t looked at all the rankings and to their credit, LSU plays both Southern Cal and UCLA in non-conference tilts, but the conference schedule might be the easiest I’ve seen. If they win a few of the swing games in the SEC and take care of the California schools, I would expect this team to reach the playoffs.
