LSU Football: Tigers are among Phil Steele’s surprise teams in 2021
By Zach Ragan
Phil Steele is one of the most respected college football analysts in the nation, so it’s worth listening to what he has to say about LSU football.
And fortunately for the Tigers, Steele thinks highly of LSU heading into the 2021 season.
Steele recently revealed his 12 “surprise teams” for 2021 and he included the Tigers on his list.
“After an ugly 5-5 season last year this team is capable of surprising some folks this year and is my No. 2 most improved team in the country,” wrote Steele (via 247Sports).
247Sports writer Brad Crawford agreed with Steele’s assessment.
“LSU is a dangerous team given the talent inside the quarterback room and bevy of difference-makers at the skill positions,” wrote Crawford.
LSU football will surprise some folks in 2021
I’m sure there are plenty of folks who are down on LSU entering the 2021 season after the Tigers went 5-5 in 2020.
While 5-5 was a disappointment coming off the incredible 2019 national championship run, it wasn’t exactly a surprise.
LSU lost 14 players to the 2020 NFL Draft. Then they lost numerous key players to opt-outs (Ja’Marr Chase, Terrace Marshall Jr, Arik Gilbert, etc). And they lost their defensive coordinator (Dave Aranda) and passing game coordinator (Joe Brady).
Obviously, there was a bit of rebuilding to do for the Tigers in 2020.
The final two games of the 2002 season, however, showed that LSU is on the right track. The Tigers rallied to win the final two games of the season — behind true freshman quarterback Max Johnson — against Florida and Ole Miss.
With a reloaded roster, revamped coaching staff, and two capable starting SEC quarterbacks (Johnson and redshirt senior Myles Brennan), the sky is the limit for Ed Orgeron and the Tigers in 2021.
Next. Justin Jefferson was snubbed by ESPN. dark
It’s nice to see that Steele recognizes that LSU is going to be a dangerous team this season.