2008 LSU Tigers College Football Predictions

The LSU Tigers will try to defend their national championship when the 2008 season opens. The Tigers will have to do so without QB Ryan Perrilloux who was booted in early May for off-the-field problems. Will the Tigers still be the best in the SEC West without him and do they still have a shot at repeating as national champs? Find out in Jimmy Boyd's 2008 LSU Tigers predictions and season preview.
 

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Offense

QB Ryan Perrilloux was a leader on the field, but off of it, he was nothing of the sort. Red shirt freshman Jarrett Lee or junior Andrew Hatch will be in for an eye-opening experience when one of them is thrown to the wolves to take over under center. The good news is that they will have experienced running backs to work with. Charles Scott and Keiland Williams have played well under the departed Jacob Hester. I look for both players to step up to the challenge of more carries without a problem. The speedy Williams could elevate his status to one of the SEC's elite this season. With four starting lineman returning, there is no doubt that the Tigers will be able to run the football. Herman Johnson and Ciron Black, first and second team All-SEC selections, will lead the charge with center Brett Helms being another all-conference candidate. Brandon LaFell and Demetrius Byrd will lead the receiving attack. LaFell caught 50 balls for 656 yards last season and you might remember the talented Byrd from his last second catch to beat Auburn.

Defense

No Glenn Dorsey and no defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, but the Tigers will still be very good on this side of the football in 2008. Senior tackle Tyson Jackson and senior defensive end Kirston Pittman will head up this physical unit. Pittman led the Tigers with eight sacks a season ago and Jackson was constantly in opponents backfields, credited with 15 hurries. The Tigers are also excited about the return of defensive ends Charles Alexander and Ricky Jean-Francois. A knee injury kept Alexander sidelined for most of last season and Jean-Francois showed glimpses of being a stud after returning from a 12-game academic suspension. Returning senior Darry Beckworth will be the man in the middle, holding down the linebacker corps. Even with an inexperienced defensive backfield, I think the Tigers will once again be one of the best defensive teams in the SEC. Last year, they held opponents to a league-leading 288.8 yards per game. If they can come close to those numbers again, LSU should be on its way to another SEC West title.

Special Teams

The return game has not been a big asset in the past, but I think that changes completely with the speedy Trindon Holliday mastering the art form last season. He has two kickoff returns in his career and he figures to give the Tigers a big field position advantage. Senior place kicker Colt David is coming off a stellar season in which he scored an SEC-record 147 points and booted a school-record 26 field goals.

Prediction – 1st in SEC West

A down SEC West likely keeps the Tigers on top despite their QB problems. The defense will still be elite and you know how the old saying goes, "defense wins championships." The national title repeat is likely out of the question, but if a few things go LSU's way, it could happen.  This team will be able to handle Auburn, Alabama, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Arkansas without too many problems.

Check out all of Jimmy Boyd's articles on college football predictions to get a head start on the upcoming season. Jimmy Boyd does his homework before the season starts so he can pick apart the college football odds from day one. For the most consistent winners in the industry all year long, make sure you're doing your betting our college football picks.

June 2nd, 2008