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College Football Rankings: Top 25 after spring practice

By Cody Williams

Nov 26, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) scrambles out of the pocket against the Auburn Tigers during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) scrambles out of the pocket against the Auburn Tigers during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice (5) and quarterback Danny Etling (16) in action during the game against the Florida Gators at Tiger Stadium. The Gators defeat the Tigers 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice (5) and quarterback Danny Etling (16) in action during the game against the Florida Gators at Tiger Stadium. The Gators defeat the Tigers 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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LSU Tigers

2016: 8-4, 

We know the story when it comes to the LSU Tigers. They’re one of the many elite SEC defenses and perhaps the absolute best. Even with many key contributors and leaders taking their talents to the NFL, that hasn’t changed when it comes to the 2017 team. That wasn’t even fully on display in their spring game as Arden Key wasn’t with the team after taking a personal leave of absence. However, it turns out when you recruit elite defensive talent year after year, your defense tends to stay elite.

As Ed Orgeron enters his first full season as head coach, though, the knock on LSU still remains their offense. Even with Leonard Fournette for the past three years, that unit has been largely anemic. And with another elite running back prospect in Derrius Guice ready to take over the load, the worry is that they’d still be the same one-dimensional mess that they’ve been for too many years.

Danny Etling isn’t an elite quarterback, but what we saw from him under new offensive coordinator Matt Canada was promising that the offense may actually be competent this season. They aren’t going to ask Etling to air it out like they’re in the Big 12 or Pac-12. What they are going to do is better set up the pass with the effectiveness of Guice and put Etling in better situations to make simple throws to move the sticks. If that strategy and scheme continue to progress before their 2017 season starts, the Tigers are a sleeper that is going to be in the College Football Playoff mix.

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