Nussmeier era begins at No. 13 LSU, where 2 QBs have won Heismans since 2019

Published Aug. 20, 2024 7:43 p.m. ET

Associated Press

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Given that Garrett Nussmeier has waited three seasons to become a starter at LSU, he's not exactly favored to become Tigers’ third Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in six seasons.

Then again, Joe Burrow spent three seasons on the sidelines at Ohio State before transferring to LSU in 2018 and leading the 2019 Tigers on an undefeated national title campaign.

“He had to wait his time as well,” Nussmeier said when asked about Burrow. “If I’m anywhere close to as good as him, I’ll be happy.”

Nussmeier has big shoes to fill. He spent the past two seasons backing up 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, whose ability to make game-breaking plays through the air and on the run helped LSU lead the nation in offense.

But Nussmeier — who is not the scrambler Daniels was — passed his first big test during a 35-31 victory over Wisconsin in last season’s ReliaQuest Bowl, a game Daniels skipped while preparing for the NFL draft.

Nussmeier also has the benefit of playing behind a big, experienced offensive line that has two potential 2025 first-round draft choices. The Tigers, ranked 13th in the AP Top 25 preseason poll, also will field proven running backs, a star tight end in Mason Taylor and receivers looking to make their mark now that the top two pass-catchers from last season have turned pro.

“We’re going to be explosive and very physical,” Nussmeier said. “It’s going to be something that’s fun to watch.”

Third-year coach Brian Kelly isn’t as concerned with his team's offensive rankings as with running schemes tailored to his personnel.

“Let us be who we are, play to our strengths,” Kelly said. “This is not about: ‘Statistically, what do we look like?’ This is about winning games.”

The bigger questions for LSU surround its defense. That unit struggled with blown coverages in 2023 and looked nothing like the “DBU” of old.

Kelly has sought to address that by overhauling his defensive staff. He hired coordinator Blake Baker away from Missouri and brought back former defensive backs coach Corey Raymond, who oversaw the secondary during the height of the “DBU” era.

Even with a woeful defense in 2023, LSU still finished with 10 victories for a second straight season under Kelly.

With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams this season, hopes are high on the bayou that LSU can be among them.

“We all know that the expectation has been raised,” Nussmeier said. “We all know that we aren’t OK with just winning 10.”

New targets

LSU’s top receivers from last season — Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. — are now in the NFL.

The new leader of the receiving corps is Kyren Lacy. And those looking to step into starring roles include Chris Hilton Jr., Aaron Anderson, Liberty transfer CJ Daniels and Mississippi State transfer Zavion Thomas.

“They understand the standard that they’re going to be held to,” Nussmeier said. “You look at the history of LSU receivers, it’s special. ... They view it as their opportunity to be that guy now.”

The Tigers also expect to have a tight end-friendly passing game that will showcase Taylor, Ka'Morreun Pimpton and Trey’Dez Green.

“Obviously a very, very talented” position group, Nussmeier said. "They’re going to get utilized.”

Formidable front

LSU’s offensive line, which returns five starters, could turn out to be the nation’s best.

Both tackles — two-year starters Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr. — are on the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, given to the top lineman on either side of the ball.

Campbell is a projected first-round pick and Jones has first-round potential as well.

“We have a really good offensive line,” said Kelly, who is known for developing offensive linemen.

Baker's eleven

The good news for Baker is that his lineup still includes one of the nation’s top defensive stars in linebacker Harold Perkins, a Butkus and Bednarik award candidate whose instincts and closing speed have made him a menace to opposing offenses for two seasons.

“Harold Perkins right now is playing on fire,” Baker said. “We’re moving him all around. ... He’s an ascending player. I really think he’s not even scratching the surface still.”

Kelly, meanwhile, likes Baker’s aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme.

“It’s great on paper if you have all these great schemes and these pressures, but if your players can’t execute them — not so great,” Kelly said. “Our guys have been able to execute and play really fast in the system that Blake is employing. ... It allows our players to continue to play fast without having to play with this paralysis by analysis.”

Favorable schedule

LSU is not scheduled to play either of the Southeastern Conference's two highest-ranked teams in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll: No. 1 Georgia and No. 4 Texas.

The Tigers have just two teams on their schedule currently ranked higher than them: No. 5 Alabama on Nov. 9 and No. 6 Mississippi on Oct. 12. Both of those games are in Tiger Stadium.

LSU also gets SEC newcomer Oklahoma at home on Nov. 30.

The Tigers open the season against No. 23 Southern California in Las Vegas on Sept. 1.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football