In 2019 the world observed the LSU super team lead by Joe Burrow go undefeated on the way to a national championship. However, in 2020, they are most likely going to end up with a record of less than .500. This is because more than half of LSU’s current roster is made up of true and redshirt freshmen. Essentially, they are fielding a team of high school seniors against college football’s best conference. Although this 2020 season may not end up well, because of this in a few years, we will see another LSU super-team play in college football.
How we got here
First, if we want to understand how this new super-team was built, we have to see how the old one collapsed. The team that won the National Championship is nothing like the team this season. LSU lost 35 players from 2019. They also lost 3 members of their coaching staff, including their offensive coordinator, Joe Brady.
So, if LSU lost 35 players, there still should be some sophomores and juniors to step up, right? Wrong. Prior to the season beginning six former backup players transferred to other schools where they now start. However, more importantly, due to COVID, LSU has had seven starters opt-out. These seven included their top three receiving options for 2020, Ja’Marr Chase, Terrace Marshall, and Arik Gilbert. Currently, there are 4 starters who returned from the 2019 season, one of them being the kicker.
Where we are now
Currently, more than half of LSU’s gameday roster is made up of true and redshirt freshmen. So, it is expected that they lose a lot of games to the best conference in the NCAA, the SEC. However, these fresh out of high-school starters are playing much better than they should be. Especially with their lack of experience in a real football program, no offseason, and no upperclassmen to guide them. However, they are getting a lot of experience on the football field that many freshmen and sophomores never get. That experience is adding up, as this group of just beat number six ranked Florida lead by Heisman candidate Kyle Trask.
The Future
Right now, this young group does not look like much. But a team lead by a true freshman quarterback, with true freshmen receivers, isn’t going to look that good. Especially when the true freshmen DBs and safeties give up over 300 passing yards and 3TDs a game. But those young guys will grow and get better. This group of freshmen will play and start together for the next three or four years. They will develop chemistry unlike any other team in the SEC. More importantly, they will have more experience on the football field compared to anyone else. That experience and chemistry are what is going to create another LSU super team in just a few years.
SUBSCRIBE! CHECK OUT OUR SHOP!
DONATE ON PATREON!
