Next season is going to very different for LSU for many reasons but one aspect of the challenge facing the Tigers next fall that can’t be measured by stats or personnel turnover is the fact that Ed Orgeron’s team is going to consistently have a target on its back unlike ever before under the current coaching staff.

LSU won’t be climbing the mountaintop next season, the Tigers will be trying to stay there.

As if losing so many key players wasn’t tough enough, LSU will be dealing with the loss of spring practice which has Orgeron heading into the summer with plenty of questions regarding his latest squad.

During his latest appearance on ESPN 104.5 FM Baton Rouge radio program “Off The Bench,” Orgeron was asked which positions on his team cause him to lose the most sleep this offseason.

“Offensive line, let’s go. I do believe we could be very good on the offensive line but some guys have got to come through,” Orgeron answered. “Not having spring ball has hurt that group. I do believe Myles [Brennan] is going to be an outstanding quarterback but I think the cohesiveness and the timing between him and the receivers are going to be critical, so whenever they let us back, those guys are going to have to spend a lot of time together.”

Having questions on the offensive line and breaking in a new starting quarterback won’t be easy for LSU but given how well Orgeron and his staff have coached up the Tigers in recent seasons, it’s safe to assume they’ll have those units ready to play by the time the season begins.

On the defensive side of the ball, Orgeron noted two units that still have questions to answer before the season arrives.

“On defense, going to the 4-3 defense, I feel strong about the front, we have some new linebackers that’s got to show up,” Orgeron added. “Obviously, [we have] Derek Stingley, who is going to be the next corner? I think we are fine there with Cardale Flott, Jay Ward, I think those guys are going to be outstanding, I feel good about those guys. Raydarious Jones is back, I think those guys will be outstanding there.”

If there’s one position group across the SEC that should give fans the most confidence, regardless of who has been lost from one season to the next, its got to be the defensive backfield at LSU. The Tigers are annually loaded in the secondary and Orgeron didn’t even mention the offseason addition of five-star recruit Elias Ricks.

LSU’s defense should be fine given the abundance of talent the Tigers have stockpiled on that side of the ball, resulting in the success of the program’s attempt to repeat as SEC champions likely coming down to the first two positions Orgeron mentioned — the offensive line and quarterback.