SEC - LSU

LSU
Skinny - LSU is a very athletic team with a lot of ability, but potential means nothing if you can't perform up to it. Jordan Jefferson is a very athletic quarterback and had a 4-1 ratio in 2 starts last season but he is still very raw at the position. Brandon LaFell and Charles Scott are both all-conference performers and will be the backbone of the team playing in the skill positions. Keiland Williams offers a solid complementary back to Scott and Terrance Toliver and Rueben Randle were both big time guys in high school with Toliver needing to finally show that potential in his junior season. The defense was less than stellar last season giving up almost 25 ppg, but a lot of players return with experience and the unit should improve if the defensive line can recover from some personnel losses.

Strength - Running Back
Charles Scott will be the premier back in the SEC this season after racking up almost 1200 yards and 18 TDs last season. The strength doesn't stop with the starter either, Keiland Williams provides a solid backup as a senior, Richard Murphy is a fine third back as a junior, and Trindan Holliday is a good situational back with some of the best speed in the country. Scott is a stronger built back while Williams and Holliday provide speed in the nation's fastest conference. The rushing attack only averaged 166.8 yards a game last season and that must improve this year, considering some yards will come thanks to Jefferson, who adds an extra dimension to the passing game with his legs. Mobile quarterbacks usually help inflate rushing statistics, so they must prove how strong they are this year with a line returning three starters including Ciron Black.

Weakness - Pass Defense
The secondary last season struggled in SEC play and new starters were found by the end of the season as LSU began to give more time to the younger players. After gaining jobs during the season last year, CB Patrick Peterson and FS Chad Jones most use their athletic ability to shutdown the passing attacks of the SEC including one's from Florida and Ole Miss. LSU doesn't return any starters that played the whole season last year at linebacker, but all three linebackers started at least 2 games last season and were high on the team's tackle list. Harry Coleman is also playing linebacker this season after starting all 13 games last season at safety. Coleman is a good option at linebacker on third down, providing a de-facto nickleback but remaining in a 4-3 alignment.

Key Game - 10/10/09 Florida
LSU will be coming off a game against Georgia in Athens in a tough back to back non-divisional draw. Playing in Death Valley is usually a tough task for opponents but last season 3 of LSU's 5 losses were at home including two large defeats to Georgia and Ole Miss. Florida is the best team in the country, but this game could be dangerous for the Gators. Jordan Jefferson will have had a month to settle into the offense and remember LSU should be riding high after an impressive finish to last season blowing out Georgia Tech in the bowl game. The end of LSU's schedule features games at Alabama and Ole Miss, but the Tigers won't be able to be in the SEC West race if they can't win some non-divisional games in the SEC versus a tough east schedule.

Key Player - Jordan Jefferson
Jefferson shouldn't be too pressured by Jarrett Lee, last year's starter, after he had a 14/16 TD/INT ratio but incoming freshman Russell Shepard is one of the country's premier quarterback prospects. Shepard had a good spring game throwing for 70 yards on 7 of 12 passing with 16 rushing yards, but Jefferson looked almost flawless for the Tigers going 8-10. If Jefferson can perform like he did in the scrimmage during the season, LSU could have a really really good offense, as the running back and receiver positions are stock-piled with talent. If he's not up to par, LSU will have an okay season and could possibly switch to Shepard and groom him for the future. Jefferson can either earn his position for the next three years or resort to a career on the bench if Shepard beats him out.

Key Freshman - Craig Loston

Predicted SEC finish - 3rd (West)

Top 5 Players
1. RB Charles Scott
2. WR Brandon LaFell
3. T Ciron Black
4. DE Rahim Alem
5. DT Charles Alexander

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