It seems longer than three years ago since LSU won the BCS title. For Les Miles and his Tigers, it's going to be at least another year before returning to that level.
The LSU Tigers won a BCS National Championship in 2007 but they head into 2010 with all sorts of questions. They are just 17-9 over the last two seasons with the big concern Alabama has lapped them in the SEC West and the Tigers aren’t really a title contender anymore.
The pressure is on Les Miles to deliver this year but a tough college football schedule and a roster that isn’t quite up to snuff likely means one more year of waiting in Baton Rouge.
Recapping 2009
A lot of people feel that LSU has “fallen off,” but their 2009 season is nothing to be ashamed of. LSU still won nine games and the only losses came to then-No. 1 Florida, then-No. 3 Alabama (in Tuscaloosa), at Ole Miss and No. 13 Penn State in the Capital One Bowl.
Sign up to win prizes in SBR Contests!
The Tigers didn’t particularly excel in any one area, which was the big surprise. We’re used to seeing the Tigers produce some serious NFL talent and while the defense was decent, the offense lacked star power.
Quarterback Jordan Jefferson never took the next step in his sophomore season and the running game providing no support. On defense, the Tigers had some playmakers in Patrick Peterson and Chad Jones, but the typically dynamic defensive line had no teeth.
The result meant that LSU could still tackle the second-tier SEC teams – they topped Georgia, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Auburn and Arkansas – but they clearly weren’t in the top-tier anymore. The Bayou faithful want to see their return.
Previewing 2010
There is a lot of pressure on Miles to deliver in 2010 but it looks more likely that 2011 will be the year the team will produce.
The offense is still stunted by the performance of Jefferson, who still looks like a freshman quarterback in his junior season. Brandon LaFell has graduated, which means the receiving corps falls on the shoulders of Terrance Tolliver and converted quarterback Russell Sheppard.
The running game will get a big boost if freshman Michael Ford performs like he did in spring. He appears to be a true game-breaker that the Tigers need.
But the difference on offense has to be Jefferson. The Tigers simply aren’t going to contend with Alabama, Auburn or Arkansas unless Jefferson can really mature this year. The passing game averaged 180 yards per game, which was 97th overall.
On defense, the Tigers lost seven starters but that may not be as big of a deal as some might think. In comes a lot of quality, young talent that will need to gather experience quickly.
Patrick Peterson may be the best cover corner in the nation, but the problem again for LSU is up front. They must replace three of four starters on the defensive line, which was a big weakness last year. Back when they were a regular contender, this was a strength because of players like Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson. Now it’s a weakness and one of the main reasons they get pushed around in the SEC.
Schedule & Outlook
LSU’s regular season win total is set at eight, which is low college football betting number for the purple and gold.
If Jefferson matures and Ford is truly a big-time playmaker, the offense will be able to carry the load early on until the defense finds its feet. That sounds good but the Tigers start the season in a neutral-field contest against North Carolina, then face Vanderbilt, an improving Mississippi State squad, West Virginia, Tennessee and then visit The Swamp in Florida.
This is still LSU and with only one true road game in their first five, the could still be 5-0 heading to Florida.
Even if they do start 5-0, which is possible but unlikely, trips to Florida, Auburn and Arkansas loom. Throw in home games with Alabama and Ole Miss and this is one of the toughest schedules around.
Under is a good play here as the Tigers may get eight wins but nine is a stretch for a squad with so much unproven talent.
Pick: Under 8 Wins