LSU Tigers: 5 Reasons Jarrett Lee Can Lead Tigers to National Title

Ever since Jordan Jefferson was suspended from the team, LSU has become the focal point of ESPN.

If you knew absolutely nothing about LSU, then you would think that the Tigers are in a load of trouble and don’t have a shot against Oregon this weekend based off of the way ESPN is reacting.  

That’s not the case at all. It’s like all of a sudden now that Jefferson can’t play, he was the darling of the team and LSU’s best player.

Let me remind you that this is the same guy that locks onto one of his receivers, rarely moves on to his second read unless given ample amount of time, holds the ball too long and is consistently inaccurate.

Sure he can run the ball and hurt opponents with his feet. He can also throw the fly and corner route extremely well, but the Tigers will be just fine with Jarrett Lee, and here’s five reasons why. 

Offense Will Score More Points Under Lee

The offense will score more points with Lee at quarterback, but at the same time, it’ll give up more points as well.

Unlike Jefferson, Lee is not afraid to make quick decisions and deliver the ball to any part of the field. Like I said, this will benefit the Tigers as well as hurt the Tigers, but I believe it will benefit them more often than hurt them.

Will Lee still throw interceptions? Yes he will, but I believe that he has matured as a quarterback and won’t make as many mistakes as he did during the 2008 season.

Jefferson would hold onto the ball way too long the past two years, and this would stall drives and cause a lot of three-and-outs for the offense. Lee won’t take as many sacks as Jefferson will, and he’ll take more chances that will pay off in terms of scoring points.

In fact, if you look at the Tennessee and Florida games from last year, Lee came in and led several drives that eventually led to scores for the Tigers. Expect the offense to open it up a little more with Lee now starting. 

Great Running Game

Let’s be honest, all Lee is going to have to do is manage the game and let his playmakers do the rest.

The Tigers have one of the better offensive lines in the SEC and have plenty of running backs that are more than capable of producing big time numbers.

Spencer Ware will bring the dazzle and flash to the offense, while Michael Ford will bring that grit, hard-running style to the team.

Look for Alfred Blue to get carries on short-yardage situations and Jakhari Gore to be used the same way they used Trindon Holliday for so many years. Terrence Magee should get some carries this year as well and has had a great fall camp as well.

Playmakers on the Outside

The Tigers won’t have Russell Shepard for the first game against Oregon and who knows how many games he’ll miss, but they’ll be just fine with the talent they have at hand.

Jarrett Lee by no means will have to carry this team. His No. 1 receiver Rueben Randle is a stud, and if he’s given the chance to prove how good he is, he will explode onto the scene as one of the best wide receivers in the nation.

Expect Oddell Beckham Jr., Jarrett Fobbs, Kadron Boone and James Wright to produce as well. Les Miles has raved about each one of those guys’ potential, and I expect big things out of Beckham and Wright.

Also if Jarvis Landry isn’t in any trouble with being involved in the bar fight, expect him to receive playing time and shine.

Also expect Deangelo Peterson to have a more productive year this year than last year. Peterson missed three games and finished with less than 200 yards receiving a year ago, but rest assured, he should produce well beyond those numbers this year. 

LSU Football Is All About Defense, Defense and More Defense

Lee’s going to have to put some points on the board and limit mistakes by taking care of the football, but he’s not going to have to be Rohan Davey or Jamarcus Russell.

The defense the Tigers have this year will be another solid group with what I believe will be the second best secondary in the nation behind Alabama.

Sure the Tigers are missing guys on offense and it should make Tigers’ fans nervous, but take a minute and think about the players returning on defense.

Guys like Tyrann Mathieu, Mo Claiborne, Eric Reid, Craig Loston, Ryan Baker, Brandon Taylor, Barkevious Mingo, Sam Montgomery and the list goes on and on.

Now, don't you feel better about the Tigers' chances?

Not to mention, the “freak” they added on the defensive line in Anthony Johnson. Lee doesn’t have to be Andrew Luck, Landry Jones or even Aaron Murray to win with the talent the Tigers have on defense.

Lee Is Clutch

Finally, Lee is clutch when it comes down to playing well late. Don’t believe me? Look at the Tennessee and Florida games last year.  

When the game was on the line, Lee was in the game and he made the big plays that led to wins. Go back as far as 2008, and he led the team back late against Auburn to a victory.

In 2008, he also threw a lot of interceptions and threw an interception in overtime during the Alabama game that ultimately cost LSU that game, but Lee was a true freshman that year.

When the game was on the line late, Lee was in the game and came through for the Tigers including the Alabama game last year when he completed a pass to Rueben Randle on a critical third down late in the game.  

The Tigers can still win a national championship this season under the leadership of Lee, and the road begins this Saturday in Dallas when they take on the Oregon Ducks.