The LSU Tigers were able to earn double-digit wins last season, and now Ed Orgeron hopes that more success will be coming to Death Valley in 2019.
For several years, the LSU Tigers had been looking for offensive stability, specifically at quarterback. In 2018, they found that with Joe Burrow arriving as a transfer from Ohio State. That, coupled with their trademark strong defense, led to a nine-win regular season and a strong Fiesta Bowl win over the UCF Knights, ending their 25-game winning streak. Entering 2019 with Burrow returning, the Tigers hope more success is coming.
- 2018 record: 10-3
- Spring game date: Saturday, April 6 – 2:00 p.m. ET
Biggest spring storyline
After Burrow came in and gave the LSU offense a shot in the arm last season, it was as if we were watching a completely different Tigers team. While they were still heavy on the run-game, they finally had a viable threat in the passing game, which gave them a needed edge in many matchups. With Burrow back for the 2019 season, though, the story now becomes the passing game not just being passable, but now being a viable weapon for the LSU offense.
There is reason to believe that can happen with the group coming back for the Tigers. Not only are Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase also returning as top pass-catching options, but Orgeron added Joe Brady — formerly of the New Orleans Saints — to his staff to work with the passing game. With that addition and continuity, all eyes will be on this offense for 2019.
Biggest reason for optimism
You could certainly make the argument that the returning corps on offense — Burrow, receivers and four starting offensive linemen — makes that the Tigers’ biggest reason for optimism coming into 2019. While that is promising, this is a program that has made its living on the defensive side of the ball. And, despite losing key stars like Devin White and Greedy Williams from last year’s group, the defense remains their strength.
Yes, LSU has holes to address on defense given their losses. Yet, you can’t overlook the star power that is coming back. Safety Grant Delpit is one of the best defensive players in college football, cornerback Kristian Fulton may have been better than Williams last year and defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence bolstered the group by coming back to Baton Rouge. Again, there are areas where guys must step up, but LSU will keep winning with defense.
Biggest question mark
While the biggest strength of LSU will be their defense again in 2019, the questions about who will step up to replace the departures on that side of the ball is what everyone in Baton Rouge is and should be focused on this spring.
Replacing Greedy Williams may not be as difficult as it may seem. Though Williams is an elite physical talent, Orgeron has continually brought in high-level defensive back recruits to cultivate a next-man-up mentality in the secondary. That should again be the case, no matter who steps up.
Where things could be trickier is at linebacker. Patrick Queen seems like the likely candidate to replace Devin White at the Rover backer position, but those are big shoes to fill. Plus, we saw Queen fill in for White in 2018 and, though he held his own, he was lesser. Thus, he — or someone else — must rise to the occasion.
Biggest offseason addition
The prize of LSU’s fifth-ranked recruiting class, cornerback Derek Stingley could see the field right away as part of the plan to replace Greedy Williams. Stingley was the top corner in the 2019 class and the third-ranked prospect overall. Coming to DBU in Death Valley, that already carries immense expectations for him. However, with a big hole on the right side of the defensive backfield, Orgeron and the Tigers could look for him to step up and play a critical role right away. The talent is there, but we’ll see if the youngster is up to the task.
Biggest game to look forward to
It feels like cheating to say that LSU’s biggest game on the 2019 schedule will be a road date with Alabama, so we’re not going to do that. Instead, we look at a non-conference date in Austin with the Texas Longhorns. Obviously the Tigers are going to have to survive the tough, rugged SEC schedule they always play, but picking up a marquee win out of the conference would be monumental for the résumé down the line. The matchup with Texas offers them just that, and will surely be must-watch TV on Saturday, Sept. 7.