LSU Tigers: Team Overview

LSU did in the 2011 regular season what it had previously not done under Les Miles – finished with an undefeated record and positioned itself as the clear favorite heading into the BCS Championship Game. But the Tigers never were a big threat on offense, and failed to score a touchdown in either game against Alabama. For the second year in a row, LSU appears to have a brewing quarterback controversy on its hands thanks to the fallout from the Penn State debacle, while defensively the team needs to rebuild its running back corps.

Returning Offensive Starters: 7 (SE, LT, LG, C, RG, RT, RB)

Returning Defensive Starters: 5 (RDE, RDT, LDE, MLB, FS)

Returning Specialists: 2 (PK, P)

Projected Overall Record: 12-0

Projected SEC Record: 8-0

Projected SEC West Record: 6-0

Ratings (Ex, Vg, Av, Fr, Pr)

Quarterbacks: Vg Defensive Line: Vg

Running Backs: Vg Linebackers: Av

Wide Receivers: Vg Defensive Backs: Vg

Offensive Line: Ex Special Teams: Ex

OFFENSE

Expect to see more three-wide looks from LSU this year as the Tigers work to take advantage of what should be a better passing game. The Jarrett Lee/Jordan Jefferson tandem of a year ago was not conducive to a high-flying, downfield passing game, but the Tigers have been working to open up the offense. Against Alabama in the BCS Championship Game, LSU practically reverted to a single-wing option look, which backfired badly. The Tigers are at their best when they are mixing elements of the spread with a pro-style base formation. The amount of veteran players returning to this unit is fairly staggering.

QUARTERBACKS (rating: Vg; 3^rd SEC West, 5^th overall)

LSU trades in the Lee-Jefferson duo, which could be either dynamic or despicable depending on the day of the week, for another tandem, former Georgia signee Zach Mettenberger and Penn State transfer Rob Bolden. The Tigers were set to go with Mettenberger until Penn State received a four-year bowl ban and Bolden high-tailed it out of Happy Valley. The question is whether Bolden will be subtraction by addition. One of Les Miles’ biggest faults has been his handling of his quarterbacks, and many believe Mettenberger should get the keys on a solo basis. Prior to running afoul of the Georgia staff and leaving the Bulldogs, Mettenberger was giving Aaron Murray all he wanted in the Dawgs’ quarterback competition. Mettenberger is huge (6’5”, 240) and has an arm stronger than anything LSU has had since the departure of JaMarcus Russell. But he also has had problems staying on the straight and narrow off the field. Bolden, unlike most transfers, comes with a resume that includes work against SEC teams – and it’s not good. Alabama shut Bolden completely down twice, and his alleged dual-threat capabilities didn’t appear to be extraordinary in either facet. Redshirt freshman Steven Rivers rounds out the main group of QBs.

RUNNING BACKS (rating: Vg; 3^rd SEC West, 4^th overall)

Whether it was because of the QB shuffle or injury, LSU didn’t get quite the productivity out of its running back group in 2011 that it thought it should have. In terms of numbers and experience, LSU has no equal. The Tigers will choose between Michael Ford, Spencer Ware and Alfred Blue at tailback, with Kenny Hilliard flexing between tailback and fullback. At fullback, J.C. Copeland and Jeremy Hill are the most-discussed names. Like quarterback, however, the coaching staff didn’t always seem to play the most productive player. Ford and Hilliard were often the most hard-to-stop backs, but Ware got the bulk of the carries despite averaging far less per carry than Ford, Hilliard or Blue. LSU seems to be its most effective when it lines up in the I-formation, and that will be hard to contain given Copeland is a 280-pound warhammer.

WIDE RECEIVERS (rating: Vg; 2^nd SEC West, 4^th overall)

Despite the loss of Reuben Randle, LSU is expected to have one of the best wideout groups in the conference. Odell Beckham Jr. had a solid freshman season despite the erratic quarterback play. Sophomore Jarvis Landry looks to be the next young star to emerge, while Kadron Boone, James Wright and Russell Shepard provide depth. LSU suffered a minor setback when freshman Avery Johnson failed to become eligible, but the Tigers ought to be able to find sufficient depth from a group that includes Jarrett Fobbs, Armand Williams and signee Travin Dural. LSU is also solid at tight end, where Chase Clement is the starter following three years as an understudy. Tyler Edwards, Nic Jacobs and Travis Dickson provide more than enough depth.

OFFENSIVE LINE (rating: Ex; 2^nd SEC West, 2^nd overall)

Outside of Alabama’s line, there is none better in the SEC than LSU. The Tigers return four full-time starters and a fifth that would have been a starter had he not been plagued by injury. The four returning starters are tackles Chris Faulk and Alex Hurst, center P.J. Lonergan and right guard Josh Williford. Left guard Josh Dworaczyk has recovered from his injuries and gives LSU a superb starting five. Depth is in great shape with Chris Davenport at tackle and La’El Collins at guard, while youngsters Trai Turner and Vadal Alexander are the next in line. The only question mark is at reserve center, where Kentucky transfer Elliot Porter is set to backup Lonergan.

DEFENSE

LSU has been athletic for years on defense, and made great strides last year towards challenging Alabama for the best defense in the conference. The Tigers base from a 4-3 set, but have added the flexibility of an over/under look not unlike Alabama’s. The issues for LSU are in personnel, namely in the linebacker corps, but now also in the secondary thanks to Tyrann Mathieu’s dismissal.

DEFENSIVE LINE (rating: Vg; 1^st SEC West, 2^nd overall)

Few teams can match the quality of LSU’s interior linemen. Bennie Logan and Josh Downs will battle sophomore Anthony Johnson for playing time all year long. Ego Ferguson provides depth along with Mickey Johnson, a human manhole cover. It’s just as good outside, where Sam Montgomery, Bar’Kevious Mingo and Lavar Edwards form a trio as good as any. Jermauria Rasco and Chancey Aghayere are the next wave. Justin Maclin and Jordan Allen add depth. Logan, Downs and Johnson are all huge players with great pad technique who stuff running games and can get after the passer. Mingo has speed better than many linebackers, while Montgomery is strong for his size and can handle run and pass equally.

LINEBACKERS (rating: Av; 3^rd SEC West, 5^th overall)

If there’s going to be a problem on defense for LSU, this is where it will likely show itself. Kevin Minter returns in the middle, and he’ll be solid. The outside linebacker positions, however, are up for grabs. LSU will likely have a freshman starting on one side, Lamar Louis. Lamin Barrow, a junior, will get the other position, and although Barrow hasn’t been a starter in the past, he has plenty of game experience. Challenging Louis is Tahj Jones, a special teams star who has yet to make his mark at linebacker. D.J. Welter, Luke Muncie and freshman Ronnie Feist round out the list of backups. For whatever reason, LSU has been unable to field a group of game-changers at this position the past few years, but the Tigers still usually get solid play. They’ll need some help from the outside backers in pass coverage thanks to the loss of Mathieu in the secondary, but they should come around by midseason.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (rating: Vg; 3^rd SEC West, 4^th overall)

This group is now ripe for re-rating, thanks to Tyrann Mathieu’s sudden departure after multiple team rules violations. But LSU still returns Eric Reid, likely the conference’s best safety, and two other players (safety Craig Loston, cornerback Tharold Simon) who have played enough to be considered pseudo-starters anyway. For that matter, Simon would have been the best pure cover corner on this team regardless of Mathieu being on the team or off it. Loston has yet to live up to his otherworldly hype coming out of high school, but he’s shown good ability so far and ought to be able to step into a starting role with little fuss. The question now is who replaces Mathieu, as neither Jalen Collins nor David Jenkins looked all that ready to do it in the spring. But both have excellent size and good athleticism, so if LSU can make it through the first month of the season unscathed, the Tigers should be OK here. Ronald Martin and Micah Eugene will back up the safety positions. The loss of Mathieu hurts, but primarily in the flexibility he gave the team at nickel corner and as a freestyler, not as a pure cover cornerback.

SPECIAL TEAMS (rating: Ex; 1^st SEC West, 1^st overall)

Under Les Miles, LSU has consistently put out great special teams. That won’t change in 2012, as punter Brad Wing and kicker Drew Alleman return. Wide receiver Paul Turner should get his chance to replace Tyrann Mathieu as the team’s primary returner, along with Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. LSU has enough athleticism to be solid in coverage, although Wing’s punting was so good last year that LSU rarely had to make use of its gunners and containment teams.