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In the SEC it’s all about surviving to get the opportunity to play in Atlanta for the conference championship.
The past three years, winning the conference has meant playing in the BCS National Championship game, and Louisiana State head coach Les Miles feels he is due for a trip to Atlanta.
Since Miles took the position in 2005, he’s led the Tigers to the SEC Championship game every other year — meaning he’s got high expectations for 2009.
Miles has his team revamped and reloaded with speed and athleticism for the 2009 campaign, even though the Tigers may be a year or two away from taking the program to a higher level.
Many opposing defensive coordinators will be planning to lock up receiver Brandon LaFell, who is believed to be the top prospect for the NFL draft, and will compete with Oklahoma State’s receiver Dez Bryant for the Bilentnikoff Award. However, another receiver will have to emerge for the Tigers to take opposing defense’s focus off of LaFell.
There’s no need to introduce running back Charles Scott. SEC foes know all too well about Scott’s abilities after he racked up 1,873 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. But for Scott to have the same type of success he had last year, LSU will need a legitimate quarterback.
Inconsistent quarterback play haunted the Tigers in 2008, and injuries didn’t help either — especially when their number one man, Jarrett Lee, suffered a season-ending injury late last year.
The word around Baton Rouge is that Miles will play sophomore Jordan Jefferson under center after he had an impressive spring performance. If the young and inexperienced signal caller can come through for LSU, they shouldn’t have any problem moving the chains.
The defense should be able to build on an average campaign from a year ago. Their aggressive scheme wasn’t as dominating as in previous seasons, but should be an iron curtain this year. Perry Riley — a finalist for the 2008 Butkus award and Defensive MVP in last year’s Chick-fil-A Bowl game — will be the leader of a veteran linebacking corps for the Tigers. All-SEC defensive end Rahim Alem should wreak havoc in opponents’ backfields.
While it may be a rebuilding year full of raw talent, senior leadership could help set the tone for years to come. Thise is the same group of veterans who have rings on their fingers from the BCS championship in 2007.
Surviving the SEC may be one of the toughest things to do in college football, especially if you have to travel to Georgia and Alabama this year like the Tigers do, but hosting Florida in Tiger Stadium could make things interesting.
Team name: Louisiana State Tigers
Head coach: Les Miles
Conference: SEC
2008 record: 8-5
Key players:
- Brandon LaFell — Senior — WR
2008: 63 rec. / 929 yds / 8 touchdowns
Arguably the best wideout in the nation, he has tremendous speed along with great hands. He currently holds a 24-game streak of caught passes. - Perry Riley — Senior — LB
2008: 60 tackles / 7 TFL / 1.5 sacks
A finalist for the Butkus award, Riley is a big contributor on defense who should improve his numbers from the previous season.
Game to watch: Nov. 8 at Alabama
The word on LSU: LSU will have many challenges again this season in its quest for a conference championship. If it can find a way to improve its passing game, and get the ball in the hands of LaFell, LSU could sneak its way into the Georgia Dome for the SEC title.
