2010 NCAA Football Preview: LSU
The Louisiana State University Tigers have been one of the more successful teams in the nation over the last decade. Twice they have won a national title, once under Nick Saban in 2003 and again four years later under Les Miles.
However, since their last title in 2007 things have not been going as well as the Tigers' faithful would like. The 9-4 record they earned last season was a step up from the 8-5 season they had in 2008, but when you win two national championships in such a short time frame people come to expect more. After starting the 2009 season in the top 10 and dropping to #17 by seasons end they'll need a better season in 2010 to keep the faithful happy.
Miles has done well in recruiting young, speedy, talented players and he will need them if he is going to bring the Tigers back to glory. He will need a lot of those players to step up and fill starting roles in 2010; the offense is only returning five and the defense four. In the tough SEC his Tigers will end up getting tested early and often.
Offence
On the offensive side of the ball the Tigers look to be in the most danger. Quarterback Jordan Jefferson (junior) and wide receiver Terrance Toliver (senior) are the only returning skill players on the unit. Jefferson has shown that he has what it takes to compete in the tough SEC, but with so many new players stepping in next season he will have to become much more consistent and reliable than he was last season (his QB rating varied from 55.o to 127.6).
Tolliver had 53 receptions with three for touchdowns and 735 yards last season, and will need to step up his production to replace all the talent that departed (Brandon LaFell, Chris Mitchell, R.J. Jackson, and Trindon Holliday). The team is hoping that Steen Ridley will be able to step in at tailback to replace the production of Charles Scott and Keiland Williams.
What they can or can’t do will not matter match if the team can’t replace the two linemen they lost (Ciron Black and Lyle Hitt). However, with three starters returning (Josh Dworazcyk, Bob Hebert, and Joseph Barksdale) the line should be in decent shape still. The unit will need to improve off of their 11th place in the conference for rushing and dead last in sacks.
Defence
The defence will likely pull the team through the tough times as the new starters get adjusted on offense. Defensively, they are only returning four, but they are a really good four.
Defensive backs Patrick Peterson and Brandon Taylor are both juniors and will anchor a very tough secondary. Peterson improved off his freshman season where he had 41 tackles to make 52 (43 solo) in 2009; he also had two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown. Taylor added another 41 tackles (27 solo), in his first season as a full-time starter. Karnell Hatcher and Ron Brooks will look to pick up more game time in 2010.
Where they may hurt is in the front seven. Senior Lazarius Levingston is the only returner in the front four; he played in all but two games last season. However, for a defensive end the team will need to get a better pass rush (Levingston had no sacks last season). Miles will look to use a mixture of youth and veterans with sophomores Josh Downs, Lavar Edwards, Chancey Aghayere and senior Drake Nevis on the line.
The linebackers will be a veteran group headed up by senior Kelvin Sheppard; last season he had 110 tackles from his middle linebacker spot. Ready to join him is junior Ryan Baker. Baker has only had 32 tackles over the last two years, but will get his chance to do better this season.
Miles will have a challenge on his hands replacing all the starters that they lost, and with a top 25 preseason ranking he will need to prove something fast or get knocked out of the top 25 quick.
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