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By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
Following Jayden Daniels' historic two season dual threat extravaganza, capped off by a Heisman victory, all the headlines before and after the Reliaquest Bowl will focus on The Nuss Bus revving up its engines into a new offensive era. While there is palpable excitement for #13's imminent takeover, pressure is also mounting for the young signal caller to stamp his authority on the Tigers' 2024 QB job.
With a strong quarterback heritage behind him, including two seasons supporting and learning plenty under JD5, Nussmeier will forge forward into a fresh, bold future, welcoming in a new offensive coordinator this coming spring, while going without LSU's dual 1,000 yard receiving titans, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr for next season.
However, LSU still possess a bevy of weapons on roster going forward.
Although mostly young and inexperienced, this bowl game is the perfect testing ground for Nussmeier to establish a connection with a whole host of playmakers, from his tight ends (Mason Taylor, Mac Markway or hybrid aerial imperialist Ka'morreun Pimpton) to his crop of freshmen receivers, all 4 going without a catch over their 9 combined appearances (Shelton Sampson Jr, Jalen Brown, Khai Prean and Kyle Parker; all maintaing their red shirt status).
We'll also get to see if Nussmeier can ignite former 5 star WR Aaron Anderson, a big time playmaking colossus who stands on the verge of finishing 2023 without a single moment of magic to his name;
We'll also gauge how strong the chemistry is between Nuss & veteran senior wide out Kyren Lacy (7 TDs in 12 games, carrying one more season of eligibility).
It'll be titillating to see how much Head Coach Brian Kelly and interim offensive coordinators Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton let their new quarterback loose, or if the absence of Mike Denbrock negatively affects or changes LSU's #1 ranked offensive juggernaut.
Obviously the offense will look different under Nussmeier, rather than Daniels' stratospheric 2023 Heisman season:
There will be more communication errors, sacks suffered, and possibly points left out on the field.
Plus, Jayden Daniels led our offense to a .567 conversion rate on 3rd down, the highest in the nation.
It would be insane to expect Garrett to immediately replace Daniels' Heisman level of poise, command and execution, not to mention during a time when the offensive staff and playbook itself is currently in flux and under new leadership....but it doesn't mean he can't pull it off:
This is still the same RPO, shotgun spread attack Nuss has ran over the past 3 seasons, within an offensive base set up by a coordinator and now QBs Coach he worked under for consecutive seasons.
While the offense will aesthetically look different, and the results may not be as explosive, New Year's Day is about snaps, repetitions, and experience....but not as nearly as it is about winning the Tigers' 10th game for the second year in a row.
As much as I expect Nuss will do well vs Wisconsin, the circumstances aren't ideal for the young slinger: first, the departure of his offensive coordinator over the past 2 years, then, LSU just signed a transfer portal QB AJ Swann from Vanderbilt to bolster competition, and now, the Tigers will be searching for a new play caller for 2024 as well.....heading into a pressure-filled "audition", it's a lot to take in for Nussmeier....yet, I feel he's ready for this moment.
After all, this is a young man who's made his mark as a gunslinging Saturday Night Warrior...unafraid to vibe and thrive with ultimate pressure.
On New Year's Day, he'll get his fill.
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
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