I agree with you about not judging too much from the first game. However, based on his past teams at OU and USC, a Riley-coached team always is going to be capable of scoring a lot of points. His problem is that he's had horrific defenses at OU and USC. Therefore, I don't believe that it's going out on a limb to say that USC is going to have a very potent offense this season at the very least.all good points. however, I've been guilty of watching these high powered offenses play and thinking "oh boy". Then when we play them they don't look very good. Neither of those starting QBs was highly regarded. So were they good or just the defenses bad? Also of note LSU's defense was pretty bad last year, specifically the secondary.
One game, either way, isn't enough to know much. LSU may well have game planed to stop the pass with USC having a new QB.
Here is one of the preseason predictions
Five Bold Predictions for LSU Football Ahead of the 2024 Season
Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers are less than two weeks away from lacing up their cleats in Las Vegas to take on the USC Trojans. Redshirt-junior Garrett Nussmewww.si.com
PSU/USC A couple of thoughts.
- Thread starter Hugh Laurie
- Start date
Michigan has a damn good offensive line and good receivers, and an adequate QB, plus an actual defensive secondary with the best corner in all of the country. SC isn't playing pass and catch 7 on 7 like they did against LSU.
Michigan looks like they don't have much at QB. Them beating USC is no foregone conclusion. I'm not saying USC is elite but their passing game is pretty lethal.
This game vs Texas will tell us more about Michigan and Texas for that matter.
As far as the implications for us, we are still going to have a battle on our hands in the Coliseum even if USC loses to Michigan. If they lose I imagine it will still be a close game and USC has talent. In fact the most talent of any of our opponents except OSU.
Given our track record in big road games this game was always going to be difficult assuming USC was a top 25 team but now they could be top 15 or even playoff caliber (or not as it is very early). The best case scenario for us is USC comes into the game undefeated and either top 10 or close to it and we beat them. That will be huge for the program.
Michigan has a really good defense that seemed to be a step behind last year's unit. The question is, why?
Was some of the graduates not replaceable easily?
Did a weak offensive showing lead to more time on the field for this year's unit?
Is Fresno State a really good team?
Did Michigan just have a bad game?
It's way too early to dismiss Michigan. I'm going to reserve judgement. I'm not even sure the Texas game will reveal all, but it will be a huge test for both.
The announcers were talking that Fresno State is a good team. They are in the league with Boise State and said Boise State is the favorite to win the conference but Fresno State could challenge them. Point is they are no slouch.
I don't think anyone's dismissing Michigan.
The Big Ten has Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State in what should be the top tier. The second tier is Iowa, Michigan and USC and those 3 can obviously slide up into that top tier. Michigan just has the toughest schedule. Texas, Oregon and USC at home with Ohio State on the road. They could be 9-3 with a win over USC and 3 losses to top 5 teams.
Michigan has to figure out their QB spot. If they're hopeful Davis Warren will turn into Stetson Bennett....that's a risk.
The Big Ten has Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State in what should be the top tier. The second tier is Iowa, Michigan and USC and those 3 can obviously slide up into that top tier. Michigan just has the toughest schedule. Texas, Oregon and USC at home with Ohio State on the road. They could be 9-3 with a win over USC and 3 losses to top 5 teams.
Michigan has to figure out their QB spot. If they're hopeful Davis Warren will turn into Stetson Bennett....that's a risk.
Based on what....last year? They lost their top 6 OL from last year. If you read their sites, their 2 biggest concerns going into this year is the new OL and QB
Good info. My thinking is, Michigan will need a better defensive performance vs Texas and USC than what they presented vs Fresno State. Too many easy yards made passing by Fresno considering they couldn't run (235 pass yards, 39 rushing on 19 carrys).
There has to be MASSIVE concerns about the Michigan offense as well. 150 rush yards on 30+ carrys, 120 passing yards. Vs Fresno.
The original plan was for Tuttle to start them out this year with hopes Orji could outplay him. I guess after Tuttle was injured, they had no choice but to turn to Warren because Orji cannot throw.
I think it's too early to put anybody in a tier. Wait until they play some good teams:
PSU: USC, Wisconsin, OSU, Washington (in consecutive weeks)
OSU: Oregon. PSU, Nebraska, Michigan
Mich: Texas, USC, Washington, Oregon, OSU
Oregon: OSU, Michigan, Wisconsin, Washington
USC: Michigan, Wisconsin, PSU, Washington, Notre Dame
P.S. How can Oregon not play USC?
It's never too early to put anyone in a projected tier.
USC definitely dodged a bullet without Oregon or Ohio State but Notre Dame, LSU, Penn State and Michigan is still pretty loaded on paper.
Washington, Nebraska and Wisconsin aren't locks to be good. It will be interesting to see how they all do.
Hopefully Nebraska beats the hell out of Colorado this weekend. Wisconsin has Bama in 2 weeks which I think might be very ugly. Washington has to start 5-0 with that schedule or they're in for a long year.
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