| The LSU Tigers went 9-4 last season, with all | | | | LSU stayed in ball games last season thanks to a |
| four of their losses coming by 10 points or less. | | | | defense that allowed just 16.2 PPG. But only 4 |
| And each loss came against a solid team with the | | | | starters return, and the Tigers must replace five |
| likes of Alabama, Florida, Penn State and Ole Miss. | | | | of their front seven. Senior DT Lazarius |
| But it appears the Tigers may be slipping in head | | | | Levingston is a stud, and DT Drake Nevis brings |
| coach Les Miles' 6th year on the job. Miles is 51-15 | | | | some experience. Sophomore end Sam |
| at LSU through his first five seasons, but he'll | | | | Montgomery could be the best of the bunch, and |
| have his hands full with only six offensive and | | | | the team has praised him throughout spring ball. |
| four defensive starters returning. | | | | LB Kelvin Sheppard led the team with 110 tackles |
| Check below to find out much more about the | | | | a year ago and he'll be counted upon heavily to |
| Tigers along with my predictions on how they'll | | | | help out an inexperienced linebacking corps. |
| fare in the SEC West this season. | | | | Also back is junior CB Patrick Peterson, who |
| Offense: | | | | scored two touchdowns last season, one on an |
| Miles wants to get back to pounding the rock with | | | | interception return and another on a blocked field |
| more consistency after the Tigers averaged just | | | | goal return. He held Alabama's Julio Jones to three |
| 122.8 rushing yards per game last season. | | | | catches, while also holding Georgia's A.J. Green to |
| Carrying the bulk of the load in the running game | | | | just four grabs. Teams will throw away from him |
| will be RB Stevan Ridley, who was forced into | | | | this season, putting sophomore Morris Claiborne in |
| action in the final two games last season. But he'll | | | | a tough spot opposite Peterson. Junior SS |
| have plenty of help from Richard Murphy, who is | | | | Brandon Taylor started nine games last year, and |
| returning from injury. The electric freshman | | | | FS Jai Eugene will have to adapt quickly to his |
| Michael Ford rushed for more than 200 yards in | | | | new position. |
| nine games as a senior in high school, and he is | | | | SEC Prediction: 3rd in the West - Both Alabama |
| their RB of the future. | | | | and Arkansas have many more playmakers on |
| QB Jordan Jefferson is back to lead the offense | | | | offense than LSU. The Tigers must find a way to |
| after throwing for 17 touchdowns to 7 | | | | put up more points this season after scoring just |
| interceptions as a sophomore. He is a nice talent, | | | | 24.9 PPG a year ago, and it's not looking |
| but he doesn't have many proven playmakers to | | | | promising. The defense has a lot of talent despite |
| get the ball to in the passing game. WR Terrence | | | | only four returning starters, but the Tigers will be |
| Tolliver had 53 receptions for 735 yards last | | | | hard-pressed to match the 16.2 PPG they gave |
| season, but he's their only proven returnee at | | | | up a year ago. I have LSU finishing behind both |
| wideout. Both starting tackles are back along the | | | | the Crimson Tide and the Razorbacks in the West |
| offensive line, but the interior will be all new. | | | | this season. |
| Defense: | | | | |
