No. 16 cornerback Tre’Davious White will be a key part of LSU’s defensive team. Courtesy LSU Athletics
By Matt Moscona
There are uncommon occurrences that commonly occur every four years: electing a president, leap years, the World Cup and LSU football playing for the national championship.
Nick Saban started the trend by hoisting the crystal football in 2003. Les Miles turned the trick four years later in 2007. Then, in 2011—the greatest season LSU fans wish they could forget—the Tigers lost in, you guessed it, the national championship game.
Now with the 2015 season tantalizingly close and the four-year rule in effect, LSU fans should go ahead and book their trip to the desert for the College Football Playoff championship game in Glendale, right?
Well, maybe.
I know that fence-sitting, wishy-washy answer is not what you were hoping for, but perhaps it displays more hope than many expect from Miles’ 11th LSU squad. There are, after all, reasons for optimism.
Let’s start with LSU having the best player on the field in every game it plays. Sophomore running back Leonard Fournette became the first freshman in the Miles era to rush for 1,000 yards a season ago and is a preseason Heisman Trophy front-runner (more on that in a bit). An offensive line buoyed by Jerald Hawkins and Vadal Alexander returning for their senior season will bolster Fournette’s efforts. Even with the uncertainty that accompanies a new defensive coordinator, few colleagues will shed a tear for Kevin Steele. Even a schmuck radio host could build a respectable scheme around Kendell Beckwith, Christian LaCouture, Jamal Adams and Tre’Davious White.
Running back Leonard Fournette rushed for 1,000 yards last season. Courtesy LSU Athletics
I’m not ignoring the 700-pound tiger in the room. To say LSU’s quarterback play in 2014 was subpar is like saying Alabama fans are fond of their past. Averaging 99 passing yards in games against ranked teams qualifies as downright awful. But each of the three signal callers to lead LSU to the title game this millennium failed to garner even First Team All-SEC honors, let alone national recognition. The recipe has been simple, but effective. Run the ball, play dominant defense and get efficient quarterback play. This LSU team has the pieces to fit that puzzle.
Most importantly, the schedule seems to favor an LSU run. Smart Las Vegas betters favor LSU in 10 games. If the Tigers can clear September hurdles in Starkville and at home against Auburn, they should go into November undefeated and controlling their own destiny in the SEC and, yep, national title races. Who knows if they can handle the four-week stretch against Alabama-Arkansas-Ole Miss-Texas A&M? But a motivated LSU team is more fun to watch than last year’s group that lay down in Fayetteville after the heartbreaking Bama loss.
As for Fournette, there is a very real chance he could be in New York for the Heisman presentation in December. None of the other frontrunners is a household name.
It has been 18 years since a player other than a running back or quarterback won the award. Mark Ingram in 2009 was the last running back to win it. He rushed for 1,658 yards on 271 attempts. Stevan Ridley has the most single-season rushing attempts by an LSU back under Miles with 249 in 2010. Without proven, veteran backups, Fournette should eclipse 250 carries, which will put him in the conversation as long as LSU is winning.
The World Cup was in 2014. We will elect a president and celebrate a leap year in 2016. Perhaps 2015 will be the Year of the Tiger.
It would be right on time.
KEY GAMES
Auburn Sept. 19, 2:30 p.m. Tiger Stadium Why? If LSU clears this hurdle, they will be heavy favorites in every game until they get to Tuscaloosa in November. Catching Auburn at home and early in the season could be beneficial as they work in a new quarterback and defensive scheme.
Alabama Nov. 7, TBD Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa Why? The winner of this game has represented the West in Atlanta in six of the past eight seasons.
Texas A&M Nov. 28, TBD Tiger Stadium Why? It is the final game of both the regular season and a brutal four-game November stretch. How much will LSU have left in the tank? Oh, John Chavis will be back in Tiger Stadium.
Matt Moscona has hosted “After Further Review” on 104.5/104.9 ESPN Baton Rouge since 2010. Radio Ink magazine has named him one of the U.S.’ Top 30 Local Sports Talkers.
