LSU football receives some respect in Sporting News Top 25

LSU football received some respect in The Sporting News’ Top 25.

Numerous analysts and publications have been down on LSU football heading into 2020.

The biggest reason folks have been down on the Tigers is because of the amount of talent LSU will have to replace from their national championship team.

14 Tigers were selected in the 2020 NFL Draft (and several other key players signed as undrafted free agents).

When you lose that much talent, it’s understandable that there will be questions.

LSU, however, still has plenty of talent on the roster, despite losing so many players to the NFL.

Derek Stingley Jr is undoubtedly the best cornerback in the nation. And Ja’Marr Chase is the unquestioned best wide receiver in the nation.

If quarterback Myles Brennan is just half as good as Joe Burrow, then LSU will once again have a dangerous offense.

The Sporting News believes in LSU football

The Sporting News didn’t give the Tigers a complete pass for losing so much talent. But they’re still showing a lot of faith in LSU this upcoming season.

In The Sporting News’ recent top 25, they have the Tigers at No. 5.

I think this is reasonable and more than fair. LSU will have to prove they can win without Burrow, passing game coordinator Joe Brady and the other 13 Tigers who were selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Being ranked No. 5 is probably a good thing for the Tigers as well. It takes them off the pedastal they were on after dominating Clemson in January.

Ed Orgeron is at his best when he has something to prove.

And in 2020, he’ll be looking to prove that he can get it done in Baton Rouge without the best quarterback that college football has ever seen.

If I’ve learned anything over the last few years, it’s that doubting Coach O is a bad idea.

It appears Sporting News learned that lesson as well.