JessN: 2023 Previews: SEC West

[JessN]

2023 Preview: SEC West
by Jess Nicholas, TideFans.com Editor-In-Chief

1. LSU Tigers (10-2, 7-1)
Brian Kelly made a huge impact on the LSU program in his first year, knocking off Alabama and going to the SEC Championship Game. It wasn’t as much of a surprise as some took it to be, because LSU has been stacked with talent now for decades. The question in 2023 is whether Kelly can turn a solid team into something even better.

Rankings (Ex, Vg, Av, Fr, Pr)
Quarterbacks: Vg
Running Backs: Vg
Wide Receivers: Vg
Offensive Line: Vg

CONTINUE READING

2023 Preview: SEC West

Brian Kelly made a huge impact on the LSU program in his first year, knocking off Alabama and going to the SEC Championship Game. It wasn’t as much of a surprise as some took it to be, becaus…

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[BamaMoon]

Well, this prediction is a little unsettling.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

Unsettling, maybe. Unfortunately, everything he says about our team's question marks happens to be true.

 

[DrollTide]

It pains me to agree with you, Jess. But the 18 minute yt from the fan day seemed to show an offense that was slow, with drops, bad throws etc.

 

[colbysullivan]

LSU is NOT “very good” at QB. Jayden Daniels…SMH.

 

[davefrat]

Constant personnel turnover (players and coaches), recruiting mishits, and a steadily improving competitive field has caught up with us.

In order to be a championship team, we now have to exceed expectations.

It is what it is.

 

[STONECOLDSABAN]

I spit on your prediction Jess. *spit* We are going to put everyone in the camel clutch, break their back and make them humble!!!!!

 

[HighlandOak]

Looks pretty fair, given what we have.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Always love your write up Jess. Accurate, well thought out backed up with facts. I just think no one did less with more than UA did last year and I think all of it was the fault of coordinators. This year I think the exact opposite with a couple of new coaches in the ranks and renewed emphasis on physical play. It won't be pretty at times but I don't see a loss for the Crimson Tide this year.

 

[B1GTide]

LSU is NOT “very good” at QB. Jayden Daniels…SMH.

I disagree - he is very good and improved immensely as the season progressed last year

 

[STONECOLDSABAN]

I disagree - he is very good and improved immensely as the season progressed last year

I have a weird feeling they are going to disappoint this year.
No I don't have an argument its based off of. Just listening to brian kelly talk about lack of leadership when the players had their big brawl and the way they are getting so much hype. I have just seen this story before.

 

[B1GTide]

I have a weird feeling they are going to disappoint this year.
No I don't have an argument its based off of. Just listening to brian kelly talk about lack of leadership when the players had their big brawl and the way they are getting so much hype. I have just seen this story before.

Kelly is not someone who any of you would wish well if you knew him as I do. I won't go so far as to wish bad things, but I won't ever pull for his teams.

 

[STONECOLDSABAN]

Kelly is not someone who any of you would wish well if you knew him as I do. I won't go so far as to wish bad things, but I won't ever pull for his teams.

Agreed

By the way when i mean disappoint. I mean from the media hype perspective. something like 9-4 or 10-3. which combined with 10-4 last year would absolutely be a successful campaign in a coaches first two years.

 

[STONECOLDSABAN]

Kelly is not someone who any of you would wish well if you knew him as I do. I won't go so far as to wish bad things, but I won't ever pull for his teams.

Kelly is absolutely capable of winning a national title at LSU....He is also absolutely capable of getting blown out by a 5-7 Texas A&M team like last year. Or losing to NC state because he refused to run the ball in the middle of high winds/monsoon.

 

[Isaiah 63:1]

I see what you did there…

 

[LeBron47]

I guess the question becomes what two sec teams will beat the Tide. The only one I see is the road game at TAM. It was close with them last year and we were at home. It could be another nail biter and most nail biters have gone their way at their house recently.

We have UT at home which we should win (Saban is excellent in revenge games) LSWHO at home which should be a win because the time that they roll around our QB situation should be stronger. One could make an argument that we will struggle against OM (I think we play at their place) but I think our defense will be strong against them and our running game will pound the land sharks into submission.

I see 11-1 in the regular season with the loss coming to Texas (we play them too early in our schedule and there will be some question marks at QB that will have to be overcome to win. I am not saying we will over power each and every game until later in the season but I do feel we win the west after that how deep we go in the post season will depend upon progress at QB some of our WR problems may be tied to inefficiency at QB.

 

[teamplayer]

Jess, I know football season must be near when I get to read your predictions. Mine were pretty similar.
WEST
Bama 11-1, 7-1 loss at A&M
LSU 11-1, 7-1 loss at Bama
A&M 8-4, 4-4 losses at Arky, at UT, at Ole Siss, and at LSU
Ole Miss 8-4, 4-4 losses at Bama, LSU, at UGA, and at MSU
Arky 8-4, 4-4 losses at LSU, at Ole Siss, at Bama, and at MSU
MSU 7-5, 3-5 losses LSU, at USC, Bama, at AU, at 8-4,
AU 6-6, 2-6 losses at 8-4, UGA, at LSU, Ole Siss, at Arky, Bama

Roll Tide!

 

[Windsortide]

I have a weird feeling they are going to disappoint this year.
No I don't have an argument its based off of. Just listening to brian kelly talk about lack of leadership when the players had their big brawl and the way they are getting so much hype. I have just seen this story before.

Do you think they will get all the credit in the world like they did last year if they go 9-4 this year? I imagine if they were to beat Alabama again it would be a special season.

 

[Windsortide]

Great read and thank you!

 

[TideATL70]

Since 2009, I've certainly raised an eyebrow when I see the Tide picked anywhere BUT SEC Champs and playing for the Title, but I tend to agree with Jess. Until I see a QB step up and lead us to a W against the Longhorns (along with stellar WR play that night hopefully!), I think you have to go with LSU to win the West.