That is would thing that could make this a great team. We have been able to put up a ton of points and move the ball without a lot of forced turnovers. If we can get some easy scores like we should be able to maybe we can hide some of our potential weaknesses like special teams.
There is a difference between being talented enough to win a NC, and having expectations to win a national championship. Ohio State, Michigan, and Notre Dame hype is what sustained them in the polls through a schedule that included some lackluster performances, and certainly cream puff teams. Every championship team will be off occasionally and it is the press that sustains the buzz and gets them to the NCG. Anyone here think USC will not be #1 throughout the season if they don't lose? I was not referring to LSU's newfound respect as if it just happened this year. In the scope of LSU football for me(dating back to 1974), this is a new phenomenon and has been steadily building. The '03 championship came about as a result of 1 game and the effect it had upon strength of schedule. Until that point, we were not talked about for the NCG, and I doubt we have been considered a NC favorite again since that year. I know how "talented" everyone said we were last year, but that does not equate to expectations of victory for the press. And by the press, I don't merely refer to CFN. There are actually other sportswriters out there that don't think LSU hung the moon. Like it or not, there were a great many unanswered questions about our team last year that kept the buzz down around us. The national perception that Russell will go high in the draft on the strength of one game is a perfect example of this.
Chevis is one of the best lock down corners in CFB. He will get his due this year. I think alot of folks think Zenon is better because he had a few more flashy highlights last year. Both are NFL bound, but Chevis is the better prospect.
Florida 2006 is just the latest example we can give (of so, so many) of how imprecise the current BCS system is in pitting the "best two teams" against one another. Florida came thisclose to not getting its shot...and that's a joke. Until we have a better system, all one can hope for is that your team plays to its potential, and the potential for this team is astronomical. In my mind, the minimum expectation for this team, with this schedule, is an SEC title and being very much in the discussion as to who plays in New Orleans on January 8. Though it's not necessary, I believe that a preseason top 2 ranking would be very valuable this season. USC is absolutely going to be #1 starting the season (and is well set to run the table...again), so getting that #2 spot is a big deal. I've seen a number of preseason, early polls that have LSU in that spot; USC and LSU, wire to wire #1 and #2, finally meeting in the Superdome as they should have four years ago. Gives me chills just thinking about it...LSU!
Thats what Ive tried to tell people. As I mentioned above, both are better than people give them credit for. They dont throw on Chevis, ever. Our corners will get toasted due to our style of defense. Zenon got burnt just as much but those flashy picks make up for that. People just need to be thankful we have had two good corners for a while...its quite a liability not to.
The all mighty CCW and BQ picked on Zenon the entire Sugar Bowl. I'd have to say he did a pretty good job with very few flashy highlights.
Does anybody find it odd that they do not mention Odom, even though he was the highest recruited LB out of all these guys? I thought the Georgia boys could develop into some pretty good LBs, and had heard the staff was high on them last year, but I'm having some doubts now.
