SEC Football: Best and Worst-Case Scenario for Every Team in 2015
Nov 15, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles during a time out in the first half of the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the LSU Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
As much upside as this LSU team has, there are some concerns. First is the quarterback position, since Brandon Harris and Anthony Jennings both failed to take hold of the position last year. Second is the loss of defensive coordinator John Chavis, who led an underrated unit to the top of the SEC in passing defense (164.2 yards per game) and total defense (316.8 yards per game last season), as well as a top-five spot nationally in scoring defense (17.5 points per game).
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Also, health is always an issue in college football – not just on the field, but also on the sidelines. LSU announced in August that OC Cam Cameron had undergone treatment for prostate cancer.
Just days later, head coach Les Miles went to the hospital with what was reportedly extreme migraines. Thankfully, both coaches are expected to be fully healed and should coach all season, but the physical and emotional toll of medical issues can have an impact on their coaching performance, and it can also take a toll on the team.
Finally, there has been a disturbing trend manifesting itself in Baton Rouge over the last four seasons – beginning with the loss to Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game after the 2011 season. In the worst-case scenario for LSU, Les Miles would have presided over regular season records of 11-1, 10-2, 9-3, 8-4, and 7-5 in five consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2015.
Such a steady decline from an SEC Championship and national title to a losing record in conference play would likely be the end of Miles’ tenure in Baton Rouge.
LSU’s Worst-Case Scenario: Les Miles can’t stop a troubling trend of growing regular season losses, and ultimately pays for it with his job
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