2007 LSU Football Schedule Toughest Ever & SEC Dominance 2007

2007 LSU Football Schedule Toughest Ever & SEC Dominance 2007?

In reviewing our football schedule for next year I wonder if this will be one of the most exciting ever of our life time. Add recent events at VT, Spurrier at SC, Saban at Bama and the possible Arkansas/Nutt circus to end the season. We also get to party in NOLA during the Tulane game weekend. You never know how a season will play out. This one could be major if VT, SC, UF, AU, Bama and Arkansas all have great years. If we go undefeated or with one loss our strength of schedule could be through the roof. I have to believe we all helped Flordia get to the NC by playing in the SEC.

This could also be separation year 2007 for the SEC against all other college football conferences. With more recruits wanting to play in the SEC year after year this all has to start showing on the field with pure dominance of SEC football. Not to mention the recent additions of top coaches to the SEC the past two years, this has to start showing up in wins and high rankings.

Could this be a big, big year for LSU and the SEC??? It's been 27 years since the SEC has had back to back National Champions. This could be another back to back SEC NC year. The SEC could easily win 4 out of the next 5 if recruits continue to view the SEC as the best place to get ready for the NFL.

 

There have been nine BCS Champions and no school has won more than one title during that time. (3-SEC, 2-Big 12, 2-ACC, 1-Big 10, and 1-Pac 10) The SEC will again be the top conference but it will always be difficult to win the title as only one SEC team will have a shot. There are many reasons why some don't want to see a playoff. Could you imagine if the final four teams were from the same conference?...or if certain conferences were always represented and others never even came close? Until that day, we'll continue to beat up on each other and hope someone will survive to win the title.

I hope we can return to the title game but we'll definitely have our work cut out for us. Judging from returning talent and schedule strength, I believe that USC has to be the favorite. Other than Nebraska and UCLA, they don't have a top 25 team on their schedule and they don't have to play in a conference championship game. Additionally, they will receive enough media attention to keep them in the top five even if they stumble again to UCLA.

The West Virginia / Louisville winner (11/08) will also be ranked high and there will again be a push to have a non-SEC, Big 10, Big 12, or ACC team in the title game.

There's no doubt that many players want to attend an SEC school for the competition and NFL development...BUT you're always going to have the kid that decides to go to the school that offers early playing time regardless of location, tradition, or potential. Then there's the kid that goes to a school because a former Heisman winner personally calls him and convinces him that all allegations will disappear...oops, I forgot...I have to give them the benefit of the doubt. :hihi:

 

I think last year's schedule was tougher, because of the fact that the games were on the road. However, this year's schedule sets up very nicely for a NC run because the tough games are at home & are against some top teams that, if we win, would be a lot of positive attention for the team. I think we lose one game next year. Hopefully, that will be good enough for a shot at the NC.

I don't think the SEC producing another NC will seperate our conference. One team being great doesn't prove a lot for our entire conference. What will further distinguish us as the best conference in the country is if we have several good teams - especially after just having dominated the draft.

 

Keep in mind that Virginia Tech is motivated and has something to play for -- the shooting victims. That is going to be a real good game I think, especially given the circumstances. There is a good article on VT today about their upcoming season on ESPN.com:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2862367&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1

 

This is as good of a chance as you will get to win a NC.

As usual, we need some luck. But I would rather have our team and schedule than any others (outside of USC).

 

There it is, that sums it up perfectly!

:geauxtige

 

If we were the opening game or at home, maybe so. I just don't see it as a rallying point for an entire season. But they will be motivated to win coming into Tiger Stadium, just like any other big time program would be.

 

Red, that was a very good analysis of next season. I hope Coach Miles and his staff read this posting. If they follow what you said we will be fine.
I sincerely believe we have to get some breaks along with some good bounces to win a BCS today. Florida definitely had their breaks. I still cannot believe how Arkansa had turned the game around against Florida in the second half and they fumbled the punt return to hand the game and momentum back to Florida. Florida got similar breaks at Vandy to pull out a win there as well.

 

Players also know that former NFL coaches can provide the development and knowledge to get them to the NFL regardless of what their college record is. Look at the class Charlie Weiss is putting together so far this year. They're not picking nd cause of last year's results. Expect Saban to have some sway in that category as well.

As far as Joe McKnight, he knew as early as 2003 that he wanted to go to USC and actually made the final decision during last year's skill camp.

Not sure what poll you were looking at but according to Rivals, LSU plays 4 teams preseason ranked in the top 25 and all HOME games.

USC plays 3 teams preseason ranked in the top 25 (utla is NOT one of them) and all are AWAY games. Not saying either is better, just clarifying for a realistic point of view.