Bruce Feldman says ‘this is the year’ for LSU to make CFP run

Fox Sports college football insider Bruce Feldman recently appeared on the Move the Sticks Podcast with Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks. And midway through his appearance, Feldman delivered a prediction that all LSU fans would love to see happen at the end of the season. But before he discussed the team’s trajectory, he tipped his hat to the Tigers’ starting quarterback Jayden Daniels.

“I thought he did a really good job of kind of carrying things on his back — not to say he didn’t have any talent around because he did at ASU — but I thought what especially, Joe Sloan, that’s the quarterback coach at LSU, did was they catered and built around him what he does well.” said Feldman. “He’s a terrific running quarterback (and) he’s a really bright kid. Physically, he’s really wiry. Like, I wondered how well will he hold up? And obviously, he held up well.

“I think he was a revelation to me. It’s one thing for the two guys who transferred into the Pac-12. We’re talking about the two guys — Bo Nix coming from the SEC and then certainly Pennix going from the Big Ten. But to go into the SEC and really into the SEC program, which was reeling, it was a restart; Brian Kelly’s first year. I thought his leadership and his presence spoke a lot about his character.”

Daniels was a pivotal piece in the Tigers’ offense last year with his dual-threat quarterback style. Not only did the former Arizona State Sun Devil throw for 2913 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just three interceptions, but he also led the team in carries (186), rushing yards (885), and rushing touchdowns (11). And he did so while keeping what Feldman believes to be one of the more talented quarterbacks in college football at bay in Garrett Nussmeier.

“And by the way, the quarterback he held off, Garrett Nussmeier, he’s super talented. He’s probably one of the 10 most talented quarterbacks in the country, just in terms of some of the things he can do. But he’s younger, and he’s still a little raw.

“I think for Jayden Daniels to keep that job, especially after losing the first game, essentially a home game against Florida State; I think also speaks to his character and his resilience.”

As for the season expectations for LSU, Feldman believes that the stars have aligned beautifully for the Tigers. Not only are the Tigers bringing back some critical star players such as Maason Smith and Harold Perkins, but some of their more challenging competitors in the SEC have taken a step back this season, at least on paper.

“So this is a year where look, everybody who’s coached there in the last 25 years has won a national title. This is the year with Alabama rebuilding and losing their two best players on each side of the ball and Georgia losing their starting quarterback. If you’re LSU and you have what they have coming back, I think it’s all there for them at least to make a run at the Playoff, if not more,” closed Feldman.

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