The Southeastern Conference’s most underrated team going into the 2021 season is none other than the LSU Tigers.
After their less than ideal 2020 season, the Tigers have completely revamped their staff and have honed in on their recruiting to ensure success in the fall.
Looking back on their 2019 national championship season, the team was stacked with star talent, and that’s exactly what it takes to be a competitive team.
LSU managed six players on the Coaches All-SEC first team that year including Heisman trophy quarterback Joe Burrow, who broke the conference’s single-season record for passing yards.
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Along with that, a staggering fourteen Tigers were selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, which was great for the program’s testament of producing a professional level player, but not for the 2020 season.
Going into the 2021 season, after both a national championship in 2019 and a failed encore in 2020, the Tigers have some serious doubters.
Was their perfect 2019 season a combination of raw talent from Burrow and friends, and the outstanding coaching from Joe Brady — both of which are now in the NFL spotlight? Is Ed Orgeron going to be on the hot seat? Do they have a quarterback with enough swagger to lead the team to victory?
Yes, the 2019 LSU team is arguably the greatest of all time, but I don’t think that’s the end of LSU football making a run in the post-season. After their hibernation of a 2020 season, the Tigers have the majority of their team returning, as well as some fresh and fire talent piling in — coaches and players alike.
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LSU returns both of its first-team All-SEC selections from last season, the beloved No. 7 cornerback Derek Stingley and trusty kicker Cade York. Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte and cornerback Eli Ricks also headline the returning star talent earning Freshman All-American honors this past year.
The Tigers join Texas A&M as the best bets to finish second in the SEC West trailing behind the Alabama powerhouse.
LSU features a handful of second-year talent with the likes of Boutte, and linebacker BJ Ojulari. Boutte stunned in the spring game catching 11 passes for 162 yards — reminding us that he is not to be counted out.
Stingley and Ricks are obvious Tiger favorites and give LSU a pair of cornerbacks who could very well be first-round draft picks.
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This brings us to the big question: Who will be the starting quarterback?
Although, LSU doesn’t have a definite answer as to who our leading man will be, at least we have a plethora of options to choose from. This hasn’t always been the case.
Brennan displayed the grit and fortitude that it takes to lead the Tigers to victory early on in the 2020 season, but was benched due to an abdominal injury that cut his season short.
If Brennan can get back to full-form, he is the most likely choice for the Tigers. However, we can’t count out true freshman Max Johnson who has challenged Brennan for the starting spot after leading the Tigers to back-to-back wins over Florida and Ole Miss to close out last season.
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Whoever secures the job will be in good hands playing behind an offensive line that returns all five starters.
Big names Stingley, Ricks and Boutte have been tossed around in the conversation surrounding the league’s preseason top 10 overall players. Alabama is the only other program that could potentially name three players in the top 10.
LSU is very much on the come-up.
Not only does LSU have the talent, and the experience of being at the top-this season’s schedule also favors the Tigers. Important swing games against Auburn, Texas A&M and Florida will be played in Death Valley giving LSU the home-field advantage.
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With COVID restrictions being lifted the stadium can finally get back to rocking the opposing team with deafening Tiger chants and unmatched energy.
The Tigers have also secured some promising new coaches. New offensive coordinator Jake Peetz who worked directly under Joe Brady with the Carolina Panthers for a season, and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones will hopefully add to the success of the team.
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