The LSU Tigers went 9-4 last season, with all four of their losses coming by 10 points or less. And each loss came against a solid team with the likes of Alabama, Florida, Penn State and Ole Miss. But it appears the Tigers may be slipping in head coach Les Miles' 6th year on the job. Miles is 51-15 at LSU through his first five seasons, but he'll have his hands full with only six offensive and four defensive starters returning.
Check below to find out much more about the Tigers along with my predictions on how they'll fare in the SEC West this season. Beating the college football odds in this conference will be much easier once you check out our 2010 SEC football predictions to find out which teams are the strongest heading into the season.
Offense:
Miles wants to get back to pounding the rock with more consistency after the Tigers averaged just 122.8 rushing yards per game last season. Carrying the bulk of the load in the running game will be RB Stevan Ridley, who was forced into action in the final two games last season. But he'll have plenty of help from Richard Murphy, who is returning from injury. The electric freshman Michael Ford rushed for more than 200 yards in nine games as a senior in high school, and he is their RB of the future.
QB Jordan Jefferson is back to lead the offense after throwing for 17 touchdowns to 7 interceptions as a sophomore. He is a nice talent, but he doesn't have many proven playmakers to get the ball to in the passing game. WR Terrence Tolliver had 53 receptions for 735 yards last season, but he's their only proven returnee at wideout. Both starting tackles are back along the offensive line, but the interior will be all new.
Defense:
LSU stayed in ball games last season thanks to a defense that allowed just 16.2 PPG. But only 4 starters return, and the Tigers must replace five of their front seven. Senior DT Lazarius Levingston is a stud, and DT Drake Nevis brings some experience. Sophomore end Sam Montgomery could be the best of the bunch, and the team has praised him throughout spring ball. LB Kelvin Sheppard led the team with 110 tackles a year ago and he'll be counted upon heavily to help out an inexperienced linebacking corps.
Also back is junior CB Patrick Peterson, who scored two touchdowns last season, one on an interception return and another on a blocked field goal return. He held Alabama's Julio Jones to three catches, while also holding Georgia's A.J. Green to just four grabs. Teams will throw away from him this season, putting sophomore Morris Claiborne in a tough spot opposite Peterson. Junior SS Brandon Taylor started nine games last year, and FS Jai Eugene will have to adapt quickly to his new position.
SEC Prediction: 3rd in the West - Both Alabama and Arkansas have many more playmakers on offense than LSU. The Tigers must find a way to put up more points this season after scoring just 24.9 PPG a year ago, and it's not looking promising. The defense has a lot of talent despite only four returning starters, but the Tigers will be hard-pressed to match the 16.2 PPG they gave up a year ago. I have LSU finishing behind both the Crimson Tide and the Razorbacks in the West this season.
iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software
No comments:
Post a Comment