3 not-so-crazy predictions for LSU football in 2020

Ja’Marr Chase will be a Heisman finalist

I’m not silly enough to think that Ja’Marr Chase will win the Heisman Trophy in 2020 — it will almost certainly be a quarterback (Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields perhaps).

But I could definitely see Chase being a finalist.

Wide receivers don’t often get in the Heisman mix. Michigan’s Desmond Howard in 1991 was the last wide receiver to win the award.

And Alabama’s Amari Cooper in 2014 was the last wide receiver to be a runner-up for the award.

In 2014, Cooper caught 124 passes for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Last season, Chase caught 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns.

It could certainly be argued that Chase should’ve received some votes last year.

Now, obviously it could be tough for Chase to replicate those numbers in 2020 without Joe Burrow.

But while Chase won’t have Burrow (he’ll still have a capable Myles Brennan), he also won’t have to compete with Justin Jefferson (who caught 111 passes last year) for targets.

Could that lead to some double teams for Chase?

Of course. But the Tigers have plenty of other offensive weapons. It will be tough for teams to ignore Terrace Marshall, Arik Gilbert, Kayshon Boutte and Racey McMath.

Chase should still get plenty of opportunities. And he should get an invite to New York next December.