They picked Auburn and Alabama to be great this year. I never got that one. Auburn returned only 4 starters on offense, including a new QB...yet they were picked to win the West and top 5 in the country. Alabama, as usual, was picked top 2 or 3 in the country and they actually lost more production than Auburn....especially at QB and WR. Yet the Analysts just overlook all that....except when it comes to LSU or Ole Miss or teams like that. Hell, LSU returned 16 starters.....but they were penalized because of Jennings without regard to the fact that BH was going to be the starter.
Anyway, having gone to both LSU games this year....I honestly believe that LSU is going to be better than 2011 (yes morris...I do). Their offense is going to be light years better than that team. Harris is MUCH better than some may think, and we are getting to enjoy a truly great running back in Fournette. Speed, elusiveness, power, vision...just unreal. The Defense will also continue to improve with the emergence of true freshmen Arden Key at DE and true freshman Tolliver at CB....and also Herron at DT. Mills should return in a few weeks and that will make them that much better. This is going to be a special team.
As for Ole Miss....happy for the good Ole Miss fans. I've still got some concern about their OL, and "Swag"...and them being undersized up front against a power team. As an Ole Miss fan I would be optimistic, but I would also be cautious. Bama played terrible, and while bama has a great name, you have to look at the game. Bama was sloppy and careless with the ball....and look very suspect at QB and OL. They still managed, however, to stay in the game and put up 500 yards of offense....despite 5 turnovers.
Of course I'm an LSU homer, but I'll have to agree with Herbstreit. LSU looks like the most complete and talented team in the SEC West....which, I might add, isn't nearly as good as some were saying.
Roll Tide!