LSU is riding a wave of momentum into the 2019 season. The Tigers finished the 2018 campaign 10-3 with a 40-32 Fiesta Bowl win over UCF. Now, Ed Orgeron’s squad enters Week 1 with a No. 6 ranking in the preseason Associated Press Top 25.

The SEC media projects the Tigers to finish second place in the SEC West, which would have them in position for a possible New Year’s Six bowl game or even a College Football Playoff at-large bid. For now, Orgeron and his team are focused on Georgia Southern in Week 1. GSU at LSU is set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

On Wednesday, Orgeron appeared on the SEC’s weekly coaches teleconference. Here’s what he had to say about the latest news on his team and his thoughts on defending the Eagles’ triple option offense:

  • On the latest with LB signee Donte Starks’ enrollment: Nothing yet, he’s taking a course. He hasn’t finished yet. Doesn’t have any updates.
  • On the status of DB Marcel Brooks: He’s fine, ready to go.
  • On new defensive line coach: Bill Johnson will be on the sideline, he’s a phenomenal coach.
  • On defending GSU’s triple option: There are a lot of motions and shifts, two-back, three-back, lots of adjustment with DBs, while the fronts remain much the same.
  • On RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire: He’s one of the best players on our team, he runs the offense exactly like we want… he is a complete back.
  • On his Northwestern State years: “Guess who we played (Game 1)? The triple option… I had to hit the fullback all night long… I was nervous as heck, I started as a freshman, which is cool. I just wanted to play hard and I did.”
  • On QB Joe Burrow: He has a lot of poise on the football field, he doesn’t get rattled. He is a coach’s son… we have complete confidence in him. The game doesn’t go too fast for him… he has been phenomenal in camp.