We are at the half way point of the college football season, and it is the time of year that we see real contenders for the College Football Playoff emerge. Teams start playing conference games, and get a shot to prove that they can hang with the best of the best. Many teams have looked impressive, but one team in particular has stood ou the most, and that team is the LSU Tigers. And whether you like it or not, they will be your eventual 2019 College Football National Champions, and here’s why.
A New and Explosive offense
After finally realizing that a power run scheme didn’t work for their offense, the Tigers brought in Joe Brady to be the passing coordinator/wide receivers coach, and the difference has been astronomical. The Tigers finished last season ranked 38th in the nation in scoring, while this season they are currently leading the nation in scoring, putting up 52 points per game. For a long time LSU didn’t have a passing game at all, and many experts and I said that they wouldn’t be able to win a National Championship until they put the ball in their quarterbacks hands and let him throw. Quarterback Joe Burrow looks as if he will be a Heisman finalist if he continues to shine. Receivers Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase have already combined 1,250 yard receiving, and both have 8 touchdowns half way through the season. The blocking up front has been phenomenal in both protecting the quarterback and creating lanes for running backs to go through. Only one back on the team is averaging under 4.5 yards per carry, and they already have 15 rushing touchdowns. This team has the most complete offense in the nation, and they have no signs of slowing down.
A Playmaking Defense
The defense for LSU is full of studs, and they have the right pieces to put it all together. They have a huge guy that can clog up lanes in the middle with defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin. Sitting at 6’3 and weighing 349 pounds, he is a monster of a man. He is an excellent run stopper, as well as pass rusher. He may not have any sacks this season, but he get to the quarterback and disrupts the pass on almost every down. The secondary is loaded as well, with two future first round picks in Grant Delpit and Derek Stingley Jr. The defense will give up yardage through the air at times, but they will eventually get a huge interception or fumble recovery to make up for it. They currently sit at 13th in the nation in rushing yards allowed.
The Schedule Works In Their Favor
LSU sits in a place to where they could lose one game, and still be able to make the College Football Playoff. For example, if LSU is sitting at 11-1 at the end of the year, and their only loss being to an undefeated Alabama team, it would be hard to leave them out, given all the teams that they would beat in the year. They already have two very impressive wins on the season, which is Florida and Texas, and if they can pull out a win against either Auburn or Alabama, the schedule is not that hard going forward. As of right now, no team in the nation has a better resume than the Tigers do, and if they win out, win the SEC Championship, and win the National Championship, it would be hard to say that the 2019 LSU Tigers won’t be one of the best teams college football has ever seen.