2010 LSU Football Predictions
In five seasons in Baton Rouge, Les Miles has led the LSU Tigers to a 51-15 record and a national title. Still, I for one don’t see him as one of the nation’s elite coaches. I live by the mantra “numbers don’t lie”, but I can’t help but think that Miles has underachieved the past couple seasons. Since winning a national title in the 2007 season, LSU has finished 8-5 and 9-4 respectively the last two seasons. And in those two seasons, the Tigers are 0-6 against the likes of Florida, Alabama and Ole Miss. It is also worth noting that three of those losses have come at home. The program is not happy about the way LSU has been taken back behind the woodshed by these three teams. There is a good chance LSU will end its drought against Ole Miss, but beating Florida and Alabama still appears to be a daunting task. Miles has done enough at LSU to earn another season if this one doesn’t go as planned. But if he underachieves with a 2011 team that is believed to have the talent and experience to challenge for a BCS championship, his time at LSU may come to an end.
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Offense: In order to challenge for an SEC West title, the Tigers will need to make significant strides on the offensive side of the football. LSU finished dead last in the SEC in total offense last season, averaging only 304.5 yards per game. To put this in further perspective, only eight other teams in all of FBS football were worse. The Tigers also ranked No. 10 in the league in scoring, averaging just 24.9 points per game. The key to making a big turnaround is better offensive line play. After that, the Tigers need more consistency from the quarterback position. Both Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee have experience, but neither has been a player the offense can count on consistently. Jefferson did show flashes last season, throwing for 2,166 yards and 17 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. He was sacked 34 times though. The offensive line can be blamed for a lot of those, but Jefferson must take some of the blame as well. At tailback, Stevan Ridley, Michael Ford and Richard Murphy figure to get the most work. Ford is a burner and Ridley is a banger. Terrance Toliver is the team’s top receiver. He returns after a 53-catch, 735-yard, three-touchdown season.
Defense: The Tigers wouldn’t have won many games in 2009 if it wasn’t for their defense. The unit ranked No. 11 nationally in scoring defense, allowing only 16.2 points per game. It also ranked a respectable 26th nationally in total defense, allowing 327.6 yards per game. The Tigers lose seven starters from this unit, but there is still reason to believe that defense will be their strength. Middle linebacker Kevin Sheppard anchors the 2010 unit. He was all over the field in 2009, as evidenced by his team-leading 110 stops. Cornerback Patrick Peterson is among the best at his position in the entire country. There is a good chance he will be taken in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. LSU is also confident that its pass rush will be better in 2010. The team is very excited to see what highly regarded defensive lineman Sam Montgomery, Barkevious Mingo and Ken Adams can do.
Prediction: 4th SEC West – While 2011 appears to be the year LSU might challenge for another national title, 2010 is still an important season. The perception is Alabama has passed LSU up, and Arkansas and Auburn are ready to do the same this year. College football odds makers have listed LSU at +3500 to win the BCS title. Check out my 2010 SEC football predictions to see how I have the rest of the league stacking up. My 2010 college football predictions clue you in on which schools I have picked to win their respective conference championships.
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