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College Football: 5 reasons LSU wins 2017 National Championship

By Gabe Henderson

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 31: LSU Tigers quarterback Danny Etling (16) under center during the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, between the LSU Tigers and the Louisville Cardinals on December 31, 2016, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 31: LSU Tigers quarterback Danny Etling (16) under center during the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, between the LSU Tigers and the Louisville Cardinals on December 31, 2016, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LSU wide receiver D.J. Chark loses his helmet as he comes down with a catch against Louisville during the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)
LSU wide receiver D.J. Chark loses his helmet as he comes down with a catch against Louisville during the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /

3. Offensive personnel

Despite the loss of athletes like Leonard Fournette, Malachi Dupre and Travin Dural, the LSU offense will be just fine. The Tigers are loaded with an abundance of talent at the skill positions.

For the first time in years, LSU has a good quarterback situation. Danny Etling is set to be the starter heading into the season opener with BYU. However, freshman Myles Brennan and third-year sophomore Justin McMillan have impressed as well. Etling led the attack through the air last season and steadily improved as the year went on, despite minor injuries. He is the only quarterback with college experience (other than one pass from McMillan) and will play a vital role in Matt Canada’s offense. With a young, talented offensive line in front of him and his favorite receiver returning, Etling is poised to have a breakout senior season.

In the backfield for LSU will be junior Derrius Guice, but more on him later. Behind Guice will be, senior Darrel Williams, junior Nick Brossette, sophomore Lanard Fournette and freshman Clyde Edwards-Helaire. In other words, the Tigers have tons of depth at running back. Edwards-Helaire has been the biggest surprise in pre-season camp according to Ed Orgeron, which could mean an increased role in the upcoming season. Williams, who returns for his senior season, will be the Tigers’ short-yardage power back. Brossette has battled injury over the last few seasons, but has turned heads when he gets the ball, averaging 9.7 yards per carry. It’s unclear what role that young Fournette will play in the offense, but his size and agility provide the Tigers with a small, quick back in the passing game.

Guice and Brossette are the most talented, pure running backs on the LSU roster. They will likely share a majority of carries, along with Williams. Fournette and Edwards-Helaire’s roles have yet to be discussed by the coaching staff, but it’s always nice to know (if you’re Orgeron) that you have playmakers like that on your roster.

The LSU offense also returns versatile receiver D.J. Chark. Chark, who was Etling’s primary target in 2017, is as versatile as they come. He will lead the receiving core in his senior year as he is a dangerous downfield threat with tremendous speed and a big-play mentality. Alongside Chark will be Russell Gage, who will get his first regular starting chance of his career. Gage, who got minimal reps last season, returns for his senior campaign and will play second fiddle behind Chark, likely out of the slot. Drake Davis and Dee Anderson provide expanded options for Etling, but the young receivers have yet to see much of the field. The LSU receiving core is incredibly talented, despite the youth and inexperience.

Overall, LSU’s offense will stray away from its traditional run-heavy identity next season. Canada’s complicated and unpredictable offense will have a plethora of talented athletes in it. He will have some of college football’s most explosive offensive playmakers at his disposal throughout the duration of the season.

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