re: Sports Illustrated Preseason Top 25

Valid reasons for most of their picks but ND is too high.


But hey, it makes LSU look not as bad for losing against them

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4. Notre Dame

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Auburn has an interesting history with high preseason expectations. I think they will be very good.

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I thought they would be very good this same exact time last year. Auburn football is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.

Vols ?
USCe ?

Notre Dame at 4 is a bit unexpected. By which I mean way unexpected. Hovering outside the top ten... well fine its Notre Dame. They beat an LSU team that was so bad on offense it is almost unspeakable.

I am not knocking the Irish here. I just don't see that level of play from them compared to teams like Bama, Oregon, FSU, and what have you.

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2. LSU @ #23. On paper this is the worst preseason roster I've seen in recent LSU history (this is almost a compliment considering how much NFL talent they've produced in the last 10 years).

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I'm gonna need to hear specifics on that point. Besides DE and QB, everyone position is loaded with players that are both very experienced and very good at their jobs.

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15-0

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Two random numbers as an answer to my very clearly phrased question.

Excellent.

This is why we will start with defense

2014 Defense

LE President,Keenion
DT Wright,Bradley
NT Adams,Blackson
RE Lambert,Owens
ST Theirize,Garrett
LB Frost,Williams,Flowers
LB McKinzy,Swain,Mitchell
CB Holsey,Reed,Davis,Ruffin
FS Ford,King
SS Whitehead,Moncrief
CB Mincy,Jones,Roberts

Dline lost Carl Lawson and Keymiya Harrell and eventually Lambert.They were forced to play King and McKinzy at LE cuz they didnt wanna burn A Williams and Thortons redshirt. Theirize struggled and Garrett had nagging injuries.Secondary was thin Whitehead got suspended and King had to play end Holsey moved to saftey an he and Ford struggled and Mincy was just horrible.Though he doing well with Falcons,reports are Wright,Blackson,Reed also doing well...points to coaching

2015 Defense

LE Lawson,Toney,Kennion
DT Russell,Lawrence,Tega
NT Adams,Swain,Johnson
RE Cowart,Lambert,President
LB Frost,Garrett
LB McKinzy,Davis
LB T Williams,Mitchell
CB Jones,Davis,Roberts
FS Matthews,Ruffin,Irvin
SS Ford,Boston,Colbert
CB Countess,Holsey,C Davis

Lawson,Lambert,Harrell return the latter two now back ups cuz of depht. Garrett finally healthy. Very strong LB group that is working witb Lance Thompson formerly with Alabama,he knows linebackers.Two big transfers in the secondary.Matthews started has true freshman at UGA.Jones and Countess all conference corners,Countess was all big 10 at michigan.Mainly we got tons of pass rushers this year and Muschamp loves blitzing,we also have alot of depht.I laugh at we have no secondary depht um 17 dbs.


Offense is simple.Go watch tape last year.Auburn had WRs break open at will Johnson wont miss them. Everyone goes why wasnt he a starter. Gus chose a juco over a true freshman,that simple.He designed the offense around Marshall. Johnson has played in 21 games. Has two starts,played almost an entire game for an injured Marshall so basically three starts.It is scary to think in limited action of 9 full qtrs he has thrown 9 td passes. The oline gets all american Kozan back and former Ole Miss starter Austin Golson replaces Dismukes.RG is scary benches over 660
lbs.Avery Young best RT in college football. If Coleman takes the same leap as Greg Robinson this line will dominate.In 12 Greg Robinson sucked,Coleman sucked last year,but coaches say he better than Robinson.The o line has five 5 stars.For first time ever have three 5 star running backs..scary. They all will play cuz Kerryon Johnson will be the wildcat. The recieving core is stout.Duke Williams,Ricardo Louis,Melvin Ray,Jason Smith,Tony Stevens,Marcus Davis.

Bottom line it is on coaching if they dont make the playoffs. The talent gap is very minamal with Alabama.They have nine more five stars (24 to 15) we have nine more four stars. Alabama however have depht issues at RB and WR and weak at saftey.

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2. LSU @ #23. On paper this is the worst preseason roster I've seen in recent LSU history

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No?