There are many uncertainties as LSU prepares for the 2024 season, its third under coach Brian Kelly. But one thing is certain: this appears to be a time of change.
That’s to be expected when you lose a trio of stars at offensive skill positions to the draft, plus several defensive starters from an already struggling unit while also adding new coordinators on both sides of the ball.
But while there are doubts, this lineup has talent and it’s hard not to fall in love with the potential. How good — and conversely, how bad — could this season be for the Tigers? On3 Analysts Andy Staples and Cody Bellaire tried to answer that question, breaking the team’s ceiling and floor in 2024.
It should be no surprise that a team that has so many doubts has a lot of variance between its ceiling and floor. Staples and Bellaire agree the ceiling is a berth in the 12-team College Football Playoff, but they have the floor set at 7-5.
It’s unfair to ask that LSU’s offense be as good as last year, with Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels playing for fellow first-rounders Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.) But it’s not out of the question that this version of LSU’s offense might come close. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier waited patiently behind Daniels, and now he can be patient on downs thanks to rugged defensive linemen Will Campbell and Emery Jones. Kyren Lacy should help pick up the slack in the passing game, as well as Liberty transfer CJ Daniels. And that line should be able to open holes for deeper back stability.
The real issue is in defense. This group was objectively horrible last year, and coach Brian Kelly scrapped the entire defensive staff and hired Missouri’s Blake Baker to carry out the overhaul. Thanks to Kelly’s recent comments on the transfer portal, we spent much of this week highlighting how weak LSU is at defensive tackle. Cornerback also remains a question mark, which seems unbelievable given LSU’s history at the position. Linebacker Harold Perkins is the best player on the defense, but the question remains whether he will be encouraged to do what he does best (catching the ball or whoever has it) or forced into a role that doesn’t allow him to do much. damage.
A merely competent defense probably leads LSU to nine or 10 wins. One above average puts the Tigers comfortably in the PCP. Anything like last year will point them towards the ground.
As Staples and Bellaire note, the biggest questions certainly arise on the defensive side of the ball, with several remaining holes that have not been adequately addressed in the transfer portal.
If the defense can really take a step forward, the Tigers could certainly find themselves in playoff contention. But if it struggles once again, it’s hard to imagine LSU winning 10 games for the third straight year after losing a Heisman-winning quarterback and two first-round receivers.
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