X Marc's The Spot: SEC Preview: LSU

Since the early 2000's, the Louisiana State University Tigers have been a major player on the scene, both in the SEC and nationally. The Bayou Bengals have won two BCS National Championships: once in 2003 under then head coach Nick Saban and again in 2007 under current head coach Les Miles. With one of the most ferocious and intimidating venues in all of college football, Baton Rouge is a tough place for opposing players and fans to visit with 92,000 screaming fans screaming, chanting and intimidating opponents. Can the Tigers use their strong home field advantage, outstanding recruiting class and the arrival of well-hyped defensive coordinator John Chavis to produce a better result than last year's 8-5 record?

If LSU expects to improve on last year's record they will need to find some consistency at quarterback. Last year, the Tigers used a quarterback by committee type approach before Jordan Jefferson, now in his sophomore year, won the job for good late in the season. The line protecting Jefferson will feature two new starters, but returns both starting tackles which is usually a great foundation. Senior running back Charles Scott will get the majority of carries for the Tigers' running game. SEC receptions leader in 2008, Brandon LaFell, returns to Baton Rouge for his senior year. LSU also signed the number one reciever in the 2009 recruiting class in Rueben Randle. Randle is expected to contribute as a freshman and could perhaps be the number two target behind LaFell.

LSU head coach Les Miles has done an outstanding job of recruiting talent to Baton Rouge. The Tigers hope that some new talent will help solidify what is typically a strong defensive unit at LSU. In the past two years, the Tigers have lost two top-five picks to the NFL draft with Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson. The front four for the Tigers needs to find solid replacements to step up and fill those holes. Behind the D-line are two returning linebackers who were very dependable in 2008, Perry Riley and Kelvin Sheppard. Both starting cornerbacks return for LSU which could be a good or a bad thing depending on their progression. Chris Hawkins and Patrick Peterson were both new starting corners last year and showed signs of vulnerability at certain times. Perhaps the spring and summer workouts have given the LSU secondary enough experience to control field position enough for the offense to get into a groove.

On special teams, the Tigers will have a brand new look with the exception of dangerous return man Trindon Holliday. LSU will feature a new kicker and punter this year. Former kicker Colt David was dependable for the Tigers and will be missed. Special teams will be a question mark for the bayou bengals.

The Tigers begin the season with a trip to Seattle to play the University of Washington, a team that was winless in 2008. A trip across the country is never easy, but the Tigers should have no problem with this out of conference road game. The Tigers also travel to Starkville, Athens, Tuscaloosa and Oxford for tough SEC road games in addition to hosting SEC juggernaut Florida and division rival Auburn. If the Tigers get consistent quarterback play from Jefferson and continue to play stingy defenses, the Tigers have a shot to contend for the SEC West.

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