LSU has been longing for a head coach that connects with the fanbase and instills a confidence in their players ever since Coach O’s reign ended in Baton Rouge. It feels like they have found that again in Lane Kiffin. Lane has a swagger, arrogance, and charisma about him that fans connect with. We’re also all a little crazy in our own way and he clearly has some crazy in him.
After the other coaching changes and the roster additions that were made this offseason, it’s understandable that fans, including myself, would be optimistic going into this season. Don’t get me wrong, there hasn’t been much to be optimistic about these last few years so of course we’re going to grasp onto any change and think about what could be, hoping for title number five to come home.
Everyone always asks me, “So Cade, how do you really see this season going for the Tigers?” I’m a positive guy, I like to be glass half-full as much as I can be. But I also consider myself reasonable as well. “9-3,” I say every time I’m asked. Who are those 3 losses? It’s a great question. The schedule is top and back heavy with some middle games that usually tend to be sneakier than you’d like. I think you could make a case for multiple scenarios. That’s not the point of my answer though. I’m skeptical enough to think 3 losses make sense, but optimistic enough to believe we could be the first 9-3 team to make the Playoff. I think everyone expects me to say “undefeated, 11-1, 10-2,” and while I think one of those is attainable, it’s just hard to believe. Maybe that’s fear of getting my hopes up, maybe that’s seeing the toughness of the schedule, and then again, maybe it’s just skepticism.
A brand new coach, a brand new team (for the most part), and the world against you? One could argue that the season could get away from Tiger fans very fast if they don’t come out hot. Even if they do, a trip to Oxford in week 3 and back home against A&M in week 4, LSU could be brought down to Earth rather quickly. How would they bounce back, how would they respond? No one knows because it’s a brand new team. It takes time to build these relationships, earn each other’s trust, and truly become one unit. That is, of course, unless you’re Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers, who people forgot played football until two years ago.
There’s so much to be excited about with LSU. Talent everywhere and a coach who has produced numerous double-digit win seasons in a place that, let’s face it, wasn’t used to that. That’s right, I’m looking at you Ole Miss. LSU is the only school this century to win 3 national championships with 3 different head coaches, so surely Lane can do it, right? — there’s your optimism.
We’ve seen it happen with coaches we believe are “lesser.” However, college football has changed as most programs that expect to win are on the same playing field. How quickly can the roster mesh together? Can Kiffin handle the sort of hate coming his way (yes, even more than when he left Tennessee)? Can Sam Leavitt stay healthy? Will Lane handle the pressure and deliver our first 12-team playoff berth? — there’s your skepticism.
At the end of the day, it feels like we’re in for one hell of a ride this year in the Bayou. There are sure to be ups and downs, plenty of overreactions, and moments that will make us hold our breath. But like I mentioned before, I’m a glass half-full kind of guy. Give me the Tigahs to sneak into the Playoff and then from there, anything can happen. Optimism takes down skepticism in this battle. All aboard the Lane Train.