What's LSU going to be like this year?

improved almost everywhere.. top wrs, d backfield and d-line..

rb's arent as good as last yr, but they underperformed.

They have a ton of talent like usual, but have no coach.  Even with their coaching handicap, they'll probably manage a 2nd or 3rd place finish in the SEC West.

LSU is an average team with an average coach

Saban's recruits are gone, now Les is settling in and "average results" should be expected

Miles is getting just as much talent as Saban was.  He's not the coach Saban is, but who is?  LSU is still a very talented, dangerous team.  They always play hard, they never give up, and they play with an attitude, they're physical.  Nobody looks at them and says "I hope we play LSU", becuz they still carry some swagger.  In '07, they were clearly the best team in the country, they just caught a lot of slack becuz they won it all in a year where everybody was getting beat, and people don't like the fact that they won it all with 2 losses. Still, they were absolute killers.  So they've underachieved a little bit these last couple of years.  Big deal, we've been doing that at OU for years now under captain dildo.  But make no mistake about LSU this year, they're gonna be a much improved team all around and they'll be tough to beat for anybody.  They're one of my sleeper picks so I'm gonna stick with em, and regardless of what might be going on with UNC, I've been saying all along that they're gonna make a statement against the Tarheels.   

I'm not generally in the business of disagreeing with Wahoos , but I don't think talent is the problem in Baton Rouge.  They've had some elite talent under-achieve, but I think it's there.  Next year's recruiting class is sick, so The Hat may have his issues, but getting felons to sign-up isn't one of them.  It's going to be a very interesting year.  I have it on the highest authority that it's "9 wins or out" for Les, but to get there they will have to win two of the following: UNC (neutral), at Florida, at Auburn, at Arky, Alabama - and that assumes holding serve at home against MSU, WVU and Ole Miss.

Given the recruiting class in the pipeline, and this year's schedule, I  think it would be short-sighted to get rid of Miles unless there's a total meltdown.  Next year's SEC schedule sets up much more favorably, and the Tigers typically play well at Bama and in Oxford.  They could lose in Morgantown and still win the West.  I'm cautiously optimisitc that the Tigers are better than people think.  Need to have Jefferson play better and have a RB or tow emerge, but there are about 10 to choose from.  Lines should be ok, but nothing special. OL needs to get better.  Not sure there;s much indication that it will. That's my biggest concern.  DL will be faster and maybe a little bigger.  Secondary should be one of the best in the nation.

Tigers will be a little faster on the fake grass of the Georgia Dome, and that's not good news for the Heels.  I don't think Carolina will do squat on offense.  If Jefferson and/or Lee don't screw things up, LSU leaves Altanta 1-0.

LSU has the 3rd best talent in the SEC behind UF and Bama. I'll do a quick breakdown of the positions for you since a follow this team all year long.

QB

Jordan Jefferson will be the starter, he's been better in the fall camp, more accurate and mistake free than J. Lee. He has improved a little compared to last year but nothing significant. The main thing the coaches are trying to instill in him his anticipation and knowing when to get rid of the ball. A major concern is depth at this position with Zac Lee signing a MLB contract and Chris Garrett transferring earlier this summer. That leaves them with 2 scholarship QBs and 2 walk-ons with Barrett Bailey(3* who had 2 offers) and TC McCartney. But both JJ and JL are better QBs than last year, JL has dropped 25 lbs to improve mobility.

RB

LSU has lost a ton of experience at this position and the running game was terrible last season mainly do to the O-line play. Richard Murphy is back at 100% after being injured last season and Steven Ridley is also healthy. RFr Michael Ford will also get reps at RB and has been very impressive in the scrimmages. They all have different styles and do certain thing better. True Frosh Spencer Ware and Jakari Gore will also seeing playing time in certain situations like WildCat formations. Crowton likes using RB by committee and that will be the case this season but I think Murphy will be the featured back. The Fullback position is not where it should be will the D. Allen being kicked off the team and Brandon Worle being injured. A walk-on(Stampley 5'10" 235 lbs) will start at this position and Ridley will see reps at FB too in the I-formation.

WR/TE

This is probably the most talented group on the LSU squad. Terrance Toliver, Rueben Randle and Russell Shepard are all former 5* recruits. Shepard has made the switch from QB to WR flawlessly and is actually the Starter opposite Toliver. This could be the best trio in the nation. 2 true freshman will be part of the rotation in 4 and 5 WR sets. Kadron Boone and Jame Wright, both have had spectacular fall camps, The TE position is better this year than last and that's saying a lot because Richard Dickson was a really goo TE. DeAngelo Peterson is the starter and weapon as a legit threat pass catching TE that will be used in mismatches against safeties and linebackers. Milt Cole is the blocking TE and true frosh Travis Dickson(Richard Dickson's brother) will see playing type as a H-type, he can do it all.

OL

This group had major problems last season but looks to be more improved particularly in physicality from the video and reports I've seen. They have bulked up in size and the avg weight is around 315 lbs. You really can't tell how much they improved until you see them in a live game but they have performed well in the scrimmages as the running game was near 200 yds in the last 2 scrimmages.

DL

Getting pressure on the QB was an issue last season as their wasn't a legit pass rushing threat that proved to be costly mostly on 3rd downs. That won't be the case this year. Juco Ken Adams, rFr Sam Montgomery and rFR Barkevious Mingo(moved from OLB) will all provide viable pass rushing options at the DE spot, specifically Mingo. The DT's will be All-Sec Drake Nevis and Pep Livingston(moved from DE) with rFr Mike Brockers 6'6" 305lbs  and So. Josh Downs as the backups who will get a lo of playing time. The D-line will be very fast and quick.

LB

This group won't be as good as last years but I do believe they are a faster unit overall. Ryan Baker is currently injured with a broken jaw but is expected back in 2-3 weeks. With Baker injured All-Sec LB Kelvin Sheppard will slide over to the Weakside spot and rFr Kevin Minter(who's been the best LB in camp not named Sheppard) will man the MLB spot. Jr. Stefon Francios will be the starter at Strongside backer, he's a Safety/LB hybrid at around 215lbs. Chavis likes a hybrid in this spot so he doesn't have to switch to a Nickel D, he likes having someone here  who can cover a TE or RB coming out of the backfield or drop back in zone. Really fast unit.

DB

If WR is the best position for LSU talent-wise the secondary is right up there with them. All-American Patrick Peterson is a monster, he's currently 6'1" 220 lbs and ran a laser timed 4.37 last month. I don't see too many teams throwing his way this year. Mo Claiborne is the other corner and he is very talented and played some last season as a true frosh. Brandon Taylor returns at SS and is considered the QB of the group, he makes all the calls, he's added 10lbs over the summer and has looked very good in practice, Chavis loves him. There is a battle at FS between Sr. Jai Eugene(moved from CB) and rFr Craig Loston who has been a beast in both camps and scrimmages. The only problem with Loston is he doesn't fully understand the playbook yet. The depth at all positions are ridiculous. True Frosh Eric Reid and Tyrann Mathieu will see playing time in Dime packages and Jr. Ron Brooks will also be in the mix at corner. Could be the best secondary in the SEC, they are up there with UF and South Carolina.

ST

LSU will be very good on special teams. All-Sec K Josh Jasper looks to have another great year and newcomer Brad Wing is pushing returning starter Helton for the starting punter spot. Wing booted a 67 yd punt in the last scrimmage has been incredible in fall camp. Patrick Peterson and maybe Jakari Gore will return punts. Peterson and Brooks will be the KR guys.

I think overall it will come down to the O-line and D-line and I think they will play very well. The talent is there and the team speed is off the charts. I see anywhere from 8-4 to 10-2. Just my opinion though and I guess I can be considered a homer. I do think this team is better than last years squad that went 9-4 and was "in" every game they loss.

MaineRoad- West Virginia is in Baton Rouge for their game.
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Yes. I know.  I'm going.   I was talking about next year's schedule.  They aren't going to win the West this year.  Better shot next year.

Dead On bro

Ah, there all good at night in TigerTown.   Heck, it's worth going just for the pre-game food in the Stadium Club, or the parking lot.  

Les Miles is under the gun this year following two underachieved years.  Never forget him blaming the QB for not managaing a last secong game LY....QB has hurt them and believe Jefferson will be a big improvment of last two year QB's.  Defense is always strong and fast.  Hard to replace standout Brandon LaFelle at WR... My early read is 9-4.

I am a homer so I am somewhat biased which means I will lose money on them this year, just like last year.  

too bad Les Miles is on the sidelines every saturday

Spoken like a true scholar Jimmyfreak...  As much as I want to disagree with you, I cannot.

probably not now, they will be playing with 2nd stringers

I think a lot of people will be surprised how good LSU will be this year and they will be the team to beat in the SEC in 2011. Two names to look out for this year(they are actually cousins too)...

Offense-Russell Shepard

Defense-Craig Loston