Mike Denbrock shares LSU's confidence on offense

LSU could put the SEC on notice if they’re pan out as advertised throughout the offseason. Head coach Brian Kelly and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock enter year two leading the offensive charge, and QB1 Jayden Daniels is poised to be one of the conference’s top quarterbacks.

Over the offseason, the Tigers OC has gained even more confidence in his offensive unit than he has at any point since arriving in Baton Rouge in late 2021.

“Heading into the Florida State game a year ago, there were a lot of unknowns. I don’t know how well they knew us, and I don’t know how well we knew them,” Denbrock said. “It’s just a whole different feeling a vibe around the growth we made throughout the season. Allowing those guys to have a bit of a head start into what we can possibly become if we work really hard at it as fall camp moves along, and as the season moves along.”

With that head start comes massive expectations. Most would say the floor for the Tigers in 2023 is 10 wins. If LSU can get to double digits by the time the regular season ends, it almost ensures another trip to the SEC Championship game, they would certainly be in a New Year’s Six bowl game, and at best could even find themselves ranked in the top four when the final College Football Playoff rankings roll around.

Jayden Daniels is expected to lead that effort, as he’ll be the one that will make-or-break the Tigers’ 2023 season. En route to what many hope to be the start of his Heisman campaign, Daniels passed for 2,913 yards and 17 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions on a 68.6% completion percentage. He also contributed 885 rushing yards and 11 more touchdowns on the ground — and is only expected to build on that during the 2023 season and continue to improve as the season moves along.

“Where you are in Week 1 versus where you are in Week 12 or 13 and in the bowl game should look different, if you’re doing a good job,” Denbrock said. “I think we saw that last year, I think they gained confidence because of that. And we started [this spring] three rungs up or more from where we were last year in the spring and I think that continues.

“They believe in each other and we believe in them. There is some excitement surrounding that for sure.”

LSU is set to kick off its 2023 season against the Florida State Seminoles in Orlando on Sept. 3. FSU took home last year’s victory in a 24-23 thriller, and the Tigers will look to avenge that loss before ending the two-year series.