Now seems like good a time as any to weigh in on LSU in 2020 and moving forward. Honestly, I'm still not totally sure that they'll even play a full season, and anyone that is 100% convinced one way or the other is a fool. THAT SAID...

35 players are gone from the 2019 squad. THIRTY FIVE! That's a lot! That spells rebuild in some fashion in any normal year. And this is NOT a normal year, nor will it be.

I'm guessing there are more opt-outs coming for other teams, and some that may still come during the season. But young team, some very difficult road games? Not great. BUT, you could be set up to have a VERY nasty group once we're back to the world.

Losing Ja'Marr Chase sucks, there's no two ways about that. You do have some younger players that could step up. Question will be how long that takes.

It does affect the big question I had for this offense overall. What really worked for the 2019 group once they went completely nuclear in November and beyond -- they could do everything they wanted in one personnel group.

In 11 personnel with Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Thad Moss, LSU could run the ball inside or out, or go empty with those two as receiving targets in addition to the loaded WR group. Everything they wanted out of one group. Virtually never had to sub.

That won't be quite the same this year. Not only will they not have one group they can blast off with, they'll have more options that they'll *want* to get involved.

In the backfield you have Curry, who probably can do the most as far as blocking and catching, but you'll want to get John Emery in the mix. At receiver, you HAVE to get Arik Gilbert involved, but how's that work?

Obviously, you just throw that kid the ball, but can he give you some value as a blocker as well? You don't want to telegraph his presence, obviously.

If he can handle some of Moss' blocking role from last year, his potential is unlimited. But we all know that. As for the other receivers...

Losing Chase is big. Question with him is how do you manage the other guys. Marshall will be great, and I love McMath's potential, but you also have to take advantage of players like Trey Palmer and Kayshon Boutte.

So the big challenge is making all those parts work cohesively, without taking too much off the tempo that worked so well last year. I don't know that it's a huge concern, but it's what I'll really be paying attention to.

Oddly enough, I'm fairly confident in Myles Brennan. Not saying he'll be amazing, but as a fourth-year guy I'm pretty confident he'll step in and keep the car between the lines.

Anyway, that's what I'll be watching for this season. Having a lot of weapons is good, but being able to really work the matchups last year was so perfect. You won't have that same luxury, but you have a different one if you can maximize it. Can't wait to see it unfold. /end