14-in-14 2023: LSU Tigers
LSU blew the doors off of expectations in year one under Brian Kelly. Are they ready for a 2023 encore?
By: Bossman Slim
How ‘bout that ride in? After weathering the memes and jokes in the offseason about his Foghorn Leghorn accent and awkward dancing with recruits, Brian Kelly silenced the haters by going 9-3 and winning the SEC West. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.
In a single season, Kelly raised expectation levels back to what folks around Baton Rouge are accustomed to: top-10 rankings, double-digit win seasons, and national championship aspirations year in and year out.
Expectations are now sky-high on the Bayou. Are the Tigers ready for an encore in 2023 or will we see them take a step back?
State of the Program is: 9/12 biscuits. These are some top-notch, Pillsbury Golden Flaky layer biscuits.
I almost gave LSU a coveted 10th biscuit here signaling a return to the top-tier nationally, but they’re just one toe behind that. Remember, this is an overall view of the program. With another strong showing in 2023, they’ll find themselves squarely back in the realm of elite teams like Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State.
Three big reasons keep LSU from being back in that rarified air: Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Georgia. While Tennessee had the hot hand and was the “it” team of 2022, you can’t get blown out in Death Valley 40-13 and watch your fans leave early. As for A&M, the Aggies had a well-documented down year. With the Tigers going for that coveted 10th regular season win, they laid an egg in Kyle Field and lost 38-23 to a team they should have beaten. The Tigers get a bit of a pass for losing to the Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game, but if you want to hang among the elite, you have to put up a better showing than what Kelly’s squad showcased.
That does not mean LSU is far off from returning to elite status. They’re right on the cusp, and have a perfect opportunity in 2023 to get back where the Tigers belong.
The team is going to be a tough out for any opponent this year, especially due to the return of QB Jayden Daniels, who came into his own as last season progressed. Much is expected of Daniels this year, and the Tigers also have a capable backup in Garrett Nussmeier who is the heir apparent when Daniels graduates after this season. The defensive front is loaded while the secondary has question marks and will rely on some key transfers like Zy Alexander (SE Louisiana) and Duce Chestnut (Syracuse).
As far as the overall health of the program, LSU has some of the best resources in the country - we all know that. Kelly is locked up for nine more years and has even reinvested $1 million of his own money for building a new training and recovery suite in the operations facility, and the LSU board approved a new $20 million investment in a rehabilitation center for athletes in October. AD Scott Woodward’s contract was also extended for four years. While LSU’s athletic department has always had deep pockets and donor support, it has not always had the stability that it is currently enjoying. As long as Kelly keeps winning, the foundation will remain sound. NIL opportunities also abound for Tiger student-athletes as they have embraced NIL across all sports. Jayden Daniels has been showing the power of LSU’s NIL efforts recently, inking deals with Powerade and Beats by Dre.
What went right in 2022
Uh, winning the SEC West? Yeah, that’ll do. Heading into year one of the Brian Kelly era, enthusiasm and intrigue were high but expectations were tempered in the wreckage of the final years of the Orgeron era. Fans would have been happy to see more structure, more fight, and getting more out of the still considerable talent that graced the roster. Fans saw all three of those things.
Instead of having to wait a year for the full turnaround, LSU fans overdosed on hope and euphoria as the Tigers clawed their way up the standings in the SEC West, disposing of rivals Florida, Arkansas, and Alabama along the way.
Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels came into his own as the 2022 season progressed, showcasing his arm talent to compliment his running ability. Daniels threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 17 TDs on the season and boasted a 68.6% completion percentage along with making some key passing plays at critical moments. He also did a great job at spreading the wealth as eight Tigers had 20+ receptions. As the cherry on top, Daniels led the team in rushing with 885 yards and 11 TDs.
Of course, no LSU article can be complete without mentioning the agent of chaos Harold Perkins. The freshman linebacker burst onto the scene with 7.5 sacks and 39 tackles on the year. He completely took over multiple games, especially the Arkansas game where he registered 8 tackles, three sacks, one pass defended, and a forced fumble that sealed the victory. Perkins had the flu before the game which prompted Brian Kelly to compare his performance to MJ’s flu game. The kid was a monster last year and looks to have a massive 2023.
What went wrong in 2022
Consistency. Brian Kelly trotted out a much more disciplined team than his predecessor, but that didn’t mean they were always consistent. The defense laid a couple of eggs last year, as did the offense. The defense would play great, while the offense would go AWOL, then vice versa. Against Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Georgia, both were absent and it cost the Tigers dearly. Against Auburn and Arkansas, the defense had to save the day. It was a bit of a seesaw and you weren’t always sure which unit would show up on Saturday.
The offensive line also must get better in pass protection and Jayden Daniels must be more decisive on passing downs. Daniels was sacked a whopping 43 times last season, which is just unacceptable. It’s also dangerous, and the Tigers are lucky he did not have to miss any significant time due to injury. In a three-week span, Daniels was sacked 17 times. To put it in perspective, Jaxson Dart at Ole Miss was only sacked 14 times all year. Sheesh.
What the Tigers need in 2023
LSU dug deep in the transfer portal again this offseason, bringing in the second-ranked portal class according to 247. They especially bolstered the defense and many will be asked to contribute immediately, including LB Omar Speights (Oregon State) and CBs Duce Chestnut and Zy Alexander. They need those players to take up the mantle, and quickly. Week 1 against Florida State will be an immediate test.
They also need consistency across the board - a full 60 minutes of good football from all three units across 12 games. We know there will be ups and downs, but minimizing the peaks and valleys and evening it out will be paramount to the Tigers success this year if they are to live up to expectations. That consistency starts with Jayden Daniels. He will be looked to for improvement and to be the steady presence who can be counted on each and every game, especially in the aerial attack…no disappearing acts.
To help Daniels, the wide receiving corps has to step up. Kayshon Boutte is off to the NFL after a tumultuous tenure in Baton Rouge. Last year's revelation Malik Nabers is back for his junior season and looks to have another big year, but others will be needed. Look for Brian Thomas Jr., Kyren Lacy, Noah Cain and/or Aaron Anderson (Alabama transfer) to be consistent targets.
The defense has a stellar front seven, but the back end is where all eyes will be. The talent is absolutely there, but can the transfers and new starters mesh quickly?
How they can earn some extra biscuits
The Tigers can earn those precious extra biscuits by making a New Year's Six bowl or by ascending to the playoffs. If they win the West, the SEC, and/or find themselves in the playoffs, we’re looking at 10-11 biscuits.
For that to happen, the Tigers need to go 11-1 or 10-2 with some help. With the returning talent and overall level of players on the roster, the Tigers have a real chance to get it done and earn those biscuits in 2023.
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