SEC West Previews: Q&A with And the Valley Shook (LSU)

Apr 5, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Brandon Harris (6) during the 2014 spring game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Billy Gomila of And the Valley Shook was kind enough to answer some of our LSU football questions…

1. Who is going to play QB for LSU and what is your confidence level in them?

"Sophomore Anthony Jennings and true freshman Brandon Harris are still competing for the job. I don’t expect a starter to be named until right before the opener versus Wisconsin, and I would imagine both will play this year.Jennings won the backup job as a true freshman in 2013, and led an amazing last-minute drive to beat Arkansas in the season finale after Zach Mettenberger was injured, but struggled against Iowa in the Outback Bowl. Granted, that was a strong defense on a sloppy field, but it still opened up the competition when Harris arrived in the spring. In the spring game, Jennings looked like the steadier of the two, but Harris flashed much more big-play potential with his huge arm.The situation remains unsettled, but largely I have confidence in Cam Cameron to manage the situation well so that LSU can at least avoid going back to the past level of struggles. But there’s little chance of this passing game matching 2013’s output."

2. The amount of talent that has left early for the NFL Draft is staggering. Are there any depth concerns on this team?

"Not so much depth but experience. Yeah, LSU lost a lot of talent, but what else is new? Plus they added another loaded recruiting class, a number of which will see the field quickly. But of course, that will lead to some growing pains in the passing game and possibly along the defensive line."

3. What do you anticipate the strength of LSU’s team being?

"I’m incredibly excited for this offensive line, which returns four starters and several experienced backups. LSU’s going to run the football well. Terrence Magee had a lot of success backing up Jeremy Hill last year, and Kenny Hilliard is a very solid back. And of course, there’s that Leonard Fournette kid."

4. MSU hasn’t win in Death Valley since 1990. What kind of odds would you give MSU for this year’s game?

"I’ve always been keenly aware that LSU’s streak over Mississippi State has to end SOMETIME. And I think State as an excellent chance to sneak up on the SEC West’s top-3 (LSU/Alabama/Auburn) this year, more so than Ole Miss.That said, it’s hard to predict a win for you guys in Baton Rouge. I really like the way that game sits on LSU’s schedule. Being sandwiched between ULM and New Mexico State, the Tigers should be well-focused on Mississippi State, since you ought to be 3-0 by then yourselves."

5. What type of year is expected in Baton Rouge?

"Most reasonable LSU fans are aware that with an unsettled quarterback position and freshmen expected to contribute in a number of key areas, this is something of a bridge year for the Tigers, building towards a potentially huge 2015. That said, I like the pacing of this schedule, and the SEC West is pretty packed at the top. I’d be very surprised if anybody won the division outright — this year just screams three-way tie for me. And if 6-2 in conference play is good enough to get to Atlanta, I could easily see LSU hitting that mark. It’s just a question of which six and which two, and how some of the breaks fall."