7 way-too-early predictions for LSU’s offense in 2022
LSU has to replace its leading passer (Max Johnson) from last season.
And its leading rusher (Ty Davis-Price) and its second-leading rusher (Corey Kiner).
The Tigers don’t have any full-time starters returning on the offensive line.
They do return their top 3 pass catchers (Jack Bech, Kayshon Boutte and Jaray Jenkins), but the offense features a lot of new stuff – including new coordinator Mike Denbrock.
So a lot of stuff is changing, but now that the roster is nearly set and spring practice is over, the offense is starting to take shape.
That means we have enough info to make 7 way-too-early predictions for LSU’s offense in 2022:
1. Myles Brennan will be the starting quarterback
The 4-man competition is just picking up steam after Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels and freshman Walker Howard joined veterans Brennan and Garrett Nussmeier for spring practice.
Each has a shot to win the job and the group features various skills and varying degrees of experience.
But when it comes time for head coach Brian Kelly and Denbrock to pick, it will be Brennan’s experience, maturity and leadership that will make the difference.
2. LSU will complete 63% of its passes
The Tigers ranked 10th in the SEC in completion percentage last season, connecting on barely 59% of their passes.
LSU has finished above 60% just once in the past 8 seasons. You know the season. Brennan isn’t Joe Burrow, but he is a good decision-maker and plenty accurate enough to connect more frequently than that with a very talented group of receivers.
3. Kayshon Boutte will lead the SEC in receiving touchdowns
The most talented of those receivers is Boutte, who finished tied for 5th in the SEC with 9 touchdowns despite suffering a season-ending injury in the 6th game of last season.
He was on pace to finish with 18 touchdown catches, which would have been 3 more than Jameson Williams’ league-leading total.
He has some more rehab ahead of him, but he should be back in form when the season arrives.
4. The running game will be in the SEC’s top 10
LSU had the 2nd-worst running game in the SEC last season, averaging 114.0 yards per game and 3.3 yards per rush.
The only SEC team with a worse running game than LSU was Mississippi State, which hardly even tries to run.
The Tigers will not only out-rush State, but a few other SEC teams with a significantly better running game – bolstered by the return of John Emery Jr., who was inactive last season, and Penn State transfer Noah Cain.
5. LSU will more than double its rushing touchdowns
The Tigers’ improved rushing game won’t manifest itself simply with more yards and a better average per carry, but also with more trips across the goal line.
LSU had just 9 rushing touchdowns last season, which was tied for 12th in the SEC and matched its total from the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
Tiger rushers will find the end zone at least 20 times in 2022.
6. 400-plus yards per game
LSU will have a more effective and consistent offensive line. It will run the ball more effectively. It will have steadier quarterback play and a deep and explosive receiving corps.
All of that will combine to produce an average of at least 400 yards of offense per game.
That number is better but still would have fallen in the bottom half of the SEC standings last season.
7. The Tigers will score more than they did in 2021
LSU had the 3rd-lowest scoring average in the SEC last season (26.5 points per game). That was their worst output since averaging 24.8 in 2009. They even averaged 32.0 in 2020.
Kelly has made building up the offensive line a priority and that will be a key to the Tigers running the ball more consistently and protecting Brennan well enough to push the ball up the field in the passing game.
Denbrock’s Cincinnati offense averaged 36.4 points last season.
His first LSU offense won’t score that much, but it will score more than the last LSU offense did.
Two words: offensive line.
If the offensive line gels together, this team can be hard for any team to beat. Will Campbell has the potential to be a nasty beast at LT. Do we have a candidate for another Damien Lewis or Trai Turner at OG?
I saw where they were talking about moving Dellenger inside. He did not participate in spring due to rehab but he played a good bit last year.
He’s a better fit inside.
We have a good chance to sign his brother in the 2023 class.
Corndogs gonna suck in 2022 scooter. Prepare your Corndog @ss for that boy.
You are so right. And those two words would apply to about a half dozen SEC teams.
If LSU sucks in 2022 I like that. Corndogs are sub human fans. LSWhoo sucking is expected and good.
Not sure about Brennan. He seems brittle and we need a mobile QB, not a statue, in the SEC. Guessing he may play a few games and if benched, will enter the transfer portal.
Wait until Kelly and Denbrock use the “Hurricane Offense” they used to perfection against North Carolina State in 2016. You wait until the wind and rain conditions can’t get any worse and then you throw the ball 26 times since the defense can’t see the passes coming their way. Another legendary effort by Kelly for Notre Dame. Look it up.
You should stop the nonsense.
Did you look up the box score for the ND versus NC State game in 2016? Kelly’s an innovator.
Why would I, or any LSU fan, care what happened in one game six years ago? You can stay focused on the past if you like, but we are focused on the future. Nothing you bring up changes that.
It was in Kelly’s 7th Year at ND…it is LSU’s future.
It really isn’t. That’s called the past.
Hey guys so I’m probably going to Baton Rouge for the Tennessee vs LSU game in October so what should I do while there?
The first thing you should try is shutting the eff up chump
Check yourself.
Eff off chump
You must have a very rough life to come on a sports website just to act nasty. I will genuinely pray for you. Nova isn’t even old enough to drink. Give the kid a break.
Not the first post of yours I’ve read on here. You are a fine one to talk cheese d!ck
I’ll never use vulgar language on a public site. Ever. You seem to take pride in it. It’s sad.
LSUSchmuck, please spare us your self righteous BS. I’m sure you’ll be casting premature judgment on some player or comment by the night’s end.
Thanks for the defense LSUSMC but don’t waste your breath on this lunatic I mean even Negan is more respectful. Really sorry for how I acted over that Ole Miss game last year though.
Sorry. I’ll work harder to become a low life like you. Not.
Sorry. I shouldn’t stoop to that level. My sincere apologies.
If you can, visit the old capital, visit the USS Kidd, drive 30 minutes to St. Francisville and tour the haunted Myrtles Plantation.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Tailgate, drink & eat with Tiger fans.
Can’t drink(legally) but I’ve heard Baton Rouge has one of the nation’s best tailgate scenes and I think LSU and Tennessee fans in the same location will be a very fun time. I’ve heard LSU fans are very hospitable. Won’t this be the teams first meetings in Baton Rouge since the too many men on the field penalty ended UTs chance at an upset? If so, and if it’s a night game, the atmosphere should be incredible.
I’ve always wanted to watch a night game at Death Valley I’ve seen 1 at Neyland last year vs South Alabama it was really cool but Tiger stadium at night in a conference game will be something else.