It was a year of turmoil for LSU.

The Tigers got a new head coach, a new quarterback, missed a game because of a hurricane, and gave away a home game that could have salvaged their season with a probable Sugar Bowl appearance.

But now that the season is in the books, a peak ahead at 2017 reveals several reasons for optimism. Here’s a look:

1. Homegrown head coach: Louisiana native Ed Orgeron won over the fanbase by winning five of the last seven regular season games, bringing a fresh approach that infused excitement into a team that stumbled through a 2-2 start. However, like those before him, Orgeron will be on a very short leash where Tigers fans are concerned. It’s a program used to winning and four-loss seasons are not acceptable.

2. Derrius Guice: Leonard Fournette was the Tigers’ main focus, perhaps to a fault, the last two seasons. But when he went down with an ankle injury, it was Guice who stepped up and didn’t miss a beat. Not only did he make the ultimate replacement, in short order Guice grabbed the spotlight, setting the LSU single-game rushing record. In a handful of games played this season, Guice recorded two of the top three all-time rushing performances in school history. He will be the focus of the ground game in 2017.

3. Dave Aranda under wraps: LSU signed Aranda to a three-year contract, making him the highest paid ($1.9 million) assistant coach in the country. The Tigers ranked third in the SEC in total defense, yielding 323 yards per game during the regular season. LSU finished sixth in the nation in scoring defense, giving up an average of 16.4 points in 11 regular season games. That’s a big improvement over the 24.3 points per game in 2015. Aranda will further implement his defensive scheme moving forward, so the Tigers could be even more stingy next season.

4. A new approach to offense: The Tigers get the brand new approach to offense they have desperately needed over the last couple of years. Matt Canada comes to LSU from Pittsburgh to run the Tigers’ offense. The Panthers ranked 12th in the nation, averaging 40.9 points per game during the regular season. If he can even approach those same numbers at LSU, it will be party time once again in Baton Rouge.

5. O-line experience: The Tigers will return as many as six players along the offensive line who have extensive experience. The tackle position looks to be the deepest. The Tigers will have to find a center, but this group has a chance to be a strength again in 2017. If so, the Tigers could begin to find the end zone with regularity.

6. Depth at key positions: In addition to the offensive line, the Tigers will have good depth at running back again in 2017 to go along with strong depth chart at fullback, wide receiver and the defensive front. Talent also abounds at linebacker, corner, and even at quarterback as well, especially if they can land top prospects Lowell Narcisse and/or Myles Brennan. It becomes a matter of fully utilizing that talent, and that’s the chore of LSU’s new coaching staff.

7. Favorable start to 2017 schedule: LSU is at home for three of its first five games — hosting UT-Chattanooga, Syracuse and Troy — and somewhat near home opening against BYU in Houston. It begins SEC play at a rebuilding Mississippi State program in the middle of that five-game set. It’s an excellent opportunity for LSU to mature with a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator, and a second-year defensive coordinator.