LSU Looks Ready to Repeat in SEC

I know, LSU has played two cupcakes so far this season.

Appalachian State, though the defending FCS National Champions, is still an FCS team.

North Texas was rated 114th of 119 FBS schools.

But after winning by an average of 41-8, LSU has begun to answer some of their preseason questions.

The big question coming into the season was the quarterback position.

Andrew Hatch and Jarrett Lee have had trouble distinguishing themselves from each other, and freshman Jordan Jefferson is forcing his way onto the field.

While many experts see this position as a question, the play of Hatch has reminded me of Matt Flynn and Matt Mauck.

Both quarterbacks were team managers rather than playmakers.

Hatch and Lee both have played that way. Though each has thrown an interception, they have been effectively efficient in their passing.

Judging by the first two weeks, the Tigers will not need to rely on the quarterback position because of the emergence of Charles Scott.

Scott is averaging an obscene 11.4 yards per carry.

Probably the most impressive stat line I’ve ever seen was Scott’s in the first half against North Texas: three rushes, 88 yards, two touchdowns.

The Tigers are three deep at the running back position. Behind Scott, Richard Murphy is averaging over six yards per carry. Keiland Williams is the third back, and he averages just over four yards per carry.

LSU’s ace in the hole is running back/wide receiver/returner Trindon Holliday.

Holliday is a big play waiting to happen whenever he touches the ball.

Used mostly on reverse plays, the track star has made his biggest contributions this year in the return game.

He gained 163 return yards against North Texas, including a 92-yard punt return for a touchdown.

While LSU looks poised to put up a lot of points, there are questions about the defense.

The Tiger defense was able to hold Armanti Edwards and the Appalachian State offense in check, unlike Michigan last year.

The defensive line is deep, and they appear to be very hard to run against. LSU is allowing an average of 48 rushing yards per game.

The questions begin with the back seven.

Darry Beckwith, the only starter returning from last year’s linebacking corps, will miss as many as four games because of an injury.

Jacob Cutrera will fill in for Beckwith. Cutrera is a good player that plays all three linebacker positions. He will be joined by two sophomores who are starting for the first time this season.

The defensive backfield is a bit of a mystery.

The lone returning starter from last season is safety Curtis Taylor, who has played well.

The rest of the defensive backfield has talent but is inexperienced.

Cornerback Jai Eugene was one of the top high school prospects a couple of years ago.

After the first two weeks, the Tigers appear as ready as anyone to compete for another SEC championship.

The biggest question for LSU, as with any SEC team, is the schedule.

They start this week by visiting Auburn. They also have to travel to “The Swamp” next month.

Though home games, the Tigers get to tangle with Georgia and Alabama as well.

Aside from the currently ranked teams, LSU has games against Mississippi State, South Carolina, and Tulane that could be trouble if the Tigers aren’t careful.

Also, because of the rescheduling of the Troy game, LSU has one bye week at the beginning of October before playing eight consecutive weeks leading to the SEC Championship.

The Tigers have the talent to make another run at the SEC title, and winning the SEC always give you a chance to play for the National Championship.

Though these stats have to be taken with a grain of salt because of the level of competition, LSU did not struggle like other early contenders so far this season.

The trip to Auburn this weekend will say a lot about how good this LSU team really is.