LSU Tigers 2019 College Football Preview

College Football Predictions – LSU Tigers 2019 College Football Preview

2018 Recap

Record – 10-3

ATS – 7-6

The Tigers had a good year and rattled off double-digit wins for the first time since 2013. They started out strong winning their first five games but couldn’t get past the Gators in the SWAMP. They built up momentum heading into the big game with Alabama by smashing Georgia (!) and Mississippi St but were PUT TO BED by the Crimson Tide in ugly fashion (L 29-0). Everyone went home happy when they beat UCF in the Fiesta Bowl (W 40-32, 555-250 yard edge) and that included MEGALOCKS NATION who cashed a 400 STAR BOWL BONECRUSHER POWER LOCK OF THE MONTH winner.

Are the Tigers capable of giving Alabama a run for their money this year?

2019 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

West Division – #2

SEC – #2

LSU Tigers 2019 Outlook

OFFENSE

The Tigers were much better with Joe Burrow under center and improved their PPG output from 27.2 in 2017 to a respectable 32.4 PPG a season ago (#7 SEC). Burrow was pretty much an instant edition to the world-famous ALL-MEGALOCKS TEAM after leading the Tigers to a road upset over Auburn (W 22-21). Burrow helped them blow out Georgia (!) and displayed great leadership in the 7 OT loss to Texas A&M. And who can forget the Fiesta Bowl when he almost had his head knocked CLEAN OFF, yet still led them to a convincing win.

Burrow is back for his senior year and has a LOADED group of WRs to work with including legit #1 wideout Justin Jefferson (54-875, 16.2, 6 TD LY). The Tigers plan on running some RPO action this year and that should help the rushing attack (Burrow 7 rushing TD LY). The RB unit is deep but they lose 1,000-yard back Nick Brossette and we’ll have to wait and see if a true #1 option can emerge. Their top-two RBs averaged a meager 4.3 and 4.5 YPC in 2018. We love the look of the OL (four returning starters, lots of size) but must concede that we still worry about pass protection. LSU allowed 35 sacks LY (tied for last SEC) and 30 in 2017.

New passing game coordinator Joe Brady comes over from the New Orleans Saints and has some nice chess pieces to work with this year. We expect the Tigers to have one of the most potent offenses in the SEC.

DEFENSE

The Tigers allowed over 20 PPG (21.8) for the first time since 2015, but keep in mind that their stats (in many respects) look a bit worse for wear after competing in that crazy 7 OT game with Texas A&M. In any event, they have eight returning starters, an ace DC, and a ton of talent back in the fold.

Job #1 is figuring out how to replace superstar AA LB Devin White who led the squad in tackles (123), TFL (12), and QBH (10) in 2018. White was taken in the first round of the NFL draft and is now preparing to dominate with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The front seven still looks rock solid. The DL returns three starters including emerging star DE Rashard Lawrence and has loads of size and raw talent. Last year’s #2 tackler MLB Jacob Phillips is back for duty and they also welcome back LB K’Lavon Chaisson who missed last year due to injury (4.5 TFL in 2017). The Tigers are known for their great secondary play and played great pass defense a season ago as they led the SEC in INTs (17) and completion percentage (49.7%) (!). They have several talented youngsters ready to shine BUT will have to move on without their excellent CB Greedy Williams (#2 DC – Browns).

This defense looks fantastic on paper and should allow fewer than 20 PPG for the third time in the last four years.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Nuts. Superb PK Cole Tracy departs after an amazing senior season (29/33 FG) and it will be interesting to see who gets the starting gig. Punter Zach Von Rosenberg is solid (41.0 net LY) and the Tigers typically manage to find scary return men.

Schedule Analysis

Overall – Things get REAL early in the campaign with a week two visit to Texas (!) and their annual battle with Alabama takes place in Tuscaloosa this year.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Utah St (October 5)

The Tigers have a big game with Florida up next and they haven’t been a great bet in non-conference play over the past ten years (19-28 ATS, 40%).

Season Win Total

Over 9 -145

Under 9 +125

MEGALOCKS says:

Lean to the ‘over’. This team has way too much talent to lose four games. AMIRITE?

MEGAmazing Tidbit

Tiger Stadium is notable for putting all 5-yard line numbers on the field, not just those that are multiples of 10. We love it. College football, baby!

MEGALOCKS ATS Outlook: Positive

We like the look of this team and will find out what they are made of when they travel to Austin on September 7th. Can’t wait for that BAD BOY! LSU just might head into the game with ROLL TIDE on November 9th with a punchers’ chance to take a stranglehold in the SEC West race. <grabs popcorn>

The Tigers have booked a decent 15-11 ATS mark over the past two years and are an impressive 12-4 (!) vs the number over that time horizon vs SEC opponents. Our best guess is that LSU takes the cash more often than not in 2019.

Geaux Tigers!

Want more LSU football ?

WEBSITE

http://lsusports.net/

FORUM

http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/lsu-sports/

http://lsu.247sports.com/Board/LSU-Football-Message-Board-Forums-59425

http://www.tigerfan.com/forums/the-tigers-den.5/

https://lsu.forums.rivals.com/forums/the-tiger-den.18/

NEWS

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http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/