LSU football opens the 2017 season with high expectations and here’s why the Tigers can win the national title.
Coming off a disappointing 8-4 season which caused the firing of Les Miles, LSU football now has adjusted expectations under Ed Orgeron. The fiery former interim head coach has taken over the program and, well, he’s not for everyone.
There have been multiple players who’ve transferred from LSU since he’s taken over, but it’s a love-hate type of deal in Baton Rouge. Most players love Orgeron while there are others who don’t seem to like what he delivers. The good normally outweighs the bad wherever he goes, though.
Orgeron is inheriting a team that has plenty of talent and it’d be shocking to see the Tigers finish any worse than 9-3 or 10-2 this season. Heck, there are some who believe they can win it all. It’s a definite possibility and there are multiple driving factors for this.
Let’s take a look at the five reasons why LSU may just win it all in 2017.
5. Potentially elite secondary
Last year, the Tigers ranked No. 23 in the country and third-best in the SEC against the pass. Although they lost two talented starters from the secondary — Jamal Adams and Tre’Davious White — the Tigers are reloading and not rebuilding.
Donte Jackson is back as a returning starter at corner after recording two interceptions and eight pass deflections with 39 total tackles. He’s a potential lock-down corner and the hype surrounding him seems legit.
Kevin Toliver II, now healthy after a rough sophomore season, was once ranked the No. 9 player in the 2015 class. The former five-star is projected to start at the other cornerback spot and his potential is through the roof.
At safety, John Battle also returns as a starter and he received some good news this offseason. He was reclassified from a senior to a junior, giving him a potential fifth year if he were to come back in 2018. He is a leader in the secondary and will grow into a larger role.
Lastly, former four-star Ed Paris will be competing with the No. 1 safety from the 2017 class, JaCoby Stevens for the other safety spot. You can’t go wrong with either one. The talent is endless in this secondary.