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Why LSU football’s odds to repeat as national champions are fair

By Zach Ragan

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 26: Terrace Marshall Jr. #6 of the LSU Tigers celebrates with Ja'Marr Chase #1 after a touchdown reception against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Tiger Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 26: Terrace Marshall Jr. #6 of the LSU Tigers celebrates with Ja'Marr Chase #1 after a touchdown reception against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Tiger Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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LSU football won’t be the favorites to win the 2020 College Football Playoff.

The oddsmakers aren’t expecting LSU football to repeat as national champions in 2020.

According to FoxBet, the Tigers are +1500 to win the College Football Playoff in 2020. Those odds are tied with Florida for fifth best.

FoxBet lists Clemson with the best odds at +215, with Ohio State right behind them at +400 (Alabama is third at +475 and Georgia is fourth at +1000).

It’s not a surprise to see LSU down the list a bit, despite going 15-0 in 2019.

The Tigers lost an incredible amount of talent from their 2019 squad, including all-world quarterback Joe Burrow, standout wide receiver Justin Jefferson and star running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. LSU also lost key players like Grant Delpit, K’Lavon Chaisson, Kristian Fulton, Patrick Queen and Thaddeus Moss, among others.

And there’s also the loss of passing game coordinator Joe Brady, who undoubtedly made a huge impact on the Tigers’ offense in 2019.

(Brady was replaced by Scott Linehan, a former NFL head coach/offensive coordinator.)

Of course, LSU still has a ton of talent. Myles Brennan is a capable quarterback. Ja’Marr Chase is the best wide receiver in the nation. And Derrick Stingley Jr is the best cornerback in the nation.

The Tigers have been recruiting at a high level under Ed Orgeron, so while there might be a lack of experience at some positions this season, there will still be plenty of talent.

Unfortunately for LSU, the teams listed ahead of them have talent and experience, which is a necessary combination to win a championship.

Clemson will return quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Ohio State returns quarterback Justin Fields.

It’s all about the quarterback position. Elite quarterbacks win championships — especially elite quarterbacks with experience.

Brennan might prove to be elite for LSU, but that’s the thing — he has to actually prove it. We already know that Lawrence and Fields are elite. And that’s why Clemson and Ohio State are going to be trendy picks to win a title next season.

It’s still certainly possible that LSU could repeat as champs in 2020. No one thought the Tigers would go 15-0 in 2019. College football has a way of keeping everyone on their toes. It’s what makes the sport so great.

Next. Mel Kiper predicts where Justin Jefferson will be drafted. dark

But based on what we currently know about the top teams in college football, it would be unwise to suggest that LSU is the favorite to win it all next season.

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