College Football: 5 reasons LSU wins 2017 National Championship
4. Coordinators
LSU has the best coordinator duo in the country. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
After Cam Cameron haunted Tiger fans’ dreams for seasons with his predictable and methodically slow offense, they finally have reason to be hopeful with Canada’s arrival. Despite a short one-year stint at Pittsburgh, he transformed the offense immediately. The Panthers ranked 10th in the nation for scoring offense in 2016. Whereas Pitt had great success on the offensive side of the ball, LSU on the other hand, did not. The Tigers ranked 68th in that same category. Whereas Canada will face-off against tougher defenses than that of the ACC, he is better equipped in terms of athletes at LSU.
For the first time in years, LSU has an offensive coordinator and quarterback coach to be excited about. Canada’s success speaks for itself. In 2016, his complex offense was the only team to dethrone the eventual national champions, Clemson. His complicated, ever-changing and uniquely versatile offensive style will pose problems to opposing SEC defenses. Who knows, maybe Canada is the last piece to the Tigers’ title puzzle and can finally get them over the hump and defeat Alabama.
Alongside Canada under head coach Ed Orgeron is defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. After LSU lost two DCs to two SEC West rivals in a two-year span, they finally landed a gem with Aranda. Now, that’s not to say Kevin Steele and John Chavis are bad coordinators, Aranda’s just better. He’s one of, if not the, the best defensive minds in college football.
To analyze the success of Aranda’s defense in his debut season with LSU, look no further than the last game of the season. LSU held Louisville and the Heisman winner to nine points. That’s right, nine. Lamar Jackson finished with a career-worst 7.9 QBR on 10/27 passing. He failed to throw a touchdown and ran for just 33 yards on 26 attempts. Aranda’s defensive brilliance hailed victorious as the Tigers defense flexed its muscles against the Cardinals.
LSU’s defense has always been sound, but over the last few seasons, the offense has struggled tremendously. The arrival of Canada turns LSU into national title contenders this season, especially with what’s sure to be another talented Aranda defense.