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LSU Football: A Tiger Fan’s Christmas in July Wish List

By Andrew Alexander

Oct 17, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles claps as the team warms up prior to kickoff against the Florida Gators at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Florida 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles claps as the team warms up prior to kickoff against the Florida Gators at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Florida 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2014; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Boone Niederhofer (82) makes a reception during the third quarter as LSU Tigers linebacker Kendell Beckwith (52) defends at Kyle Field. The Tigers defeated the Aggies 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2014; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Boone Niederhofer (82) makes a reception during the third quarter as LSU Tigers linebacker Kendell Beckwith (52) defends at Kyle Field. The Tigers defeated the Aggies 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Good Health For All

Durability is one of the most underrated, yet important, aspects of athletics. Injuries can derail the potential success of any season, especially in the sport of college football.

The Tigers return a bevy of talented, veteran starters in 2016, and because of perennially elite recruiting classes, should field a deep squad of talented backups.

Every team is going to suffer a few injury setbacks throughout the course of a college football season, but each team has a few invaluable players it cannot afford to lose for multiple games.

In LSU’s case, there are three players who must remain healthy throughout the duration of 2016 for the Tigers to make it to the SEC Championship in Atlanta and have a shot at the College Football Playoff.

Quarterback Brandon Harris, running back Leonard Fournette and linebacker Kendell Beckwith are LSU’s most important players in 2016, and any long-term injury to the trio could spell doom for the Tigers. Our Twitter poll revealed that fans believe Fournette to be the most invaluable of the trio, but I’m inclined to lean towards Harris and Beckwith.

The reason being is that LSU has other capable running backs to maintain the Tigers’ hard-nosed running game. Should Fournette (knock on wood) suffered a season-ending injury, the Tigers can rely on sophomore Derrius Guice and junior Darrel Williams to fill the majority of Fournette’s void.

Last season proved that LSU needs more than just Fournette to succeed in the SEC, and if the Tigers’ passing game improves under Harris, then Guice and Williams (and maybe even sophomore Nick Brossette) will be suitable replacements.

But if Harris or Beckwith goes down, who will the Tigers turn to in the interim? Tiger fans are somewhat skeptical of Harris anyway, so does anyone really think that backups Danny Etling and Justin McMillan would assuage the trepidations of a fan base weary of mediocre quarterback play?

On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers are dangerously thin at linebacker. Beckwith is the only returning starter, and his linebacking counterparts have seen scarce (or zero) playing time in previous seasons.

LSU football fans are obviously wishing for overall team health in 2016 but are hoping the trio of Harris, Fournette and Beckwith stay especially healthy this season.

Next: Improved Quarterback Play

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