Louisiana State will boast 19 returning starters in all, with three seniors on offense and six on defense for grounded leadership on all levels. QB Matt Mauck will be the lead prong of a balanced offensive approach that presently gains 4.3 yards per run and over eight per pass. The offensive line will be an essential variable for coach Saban to bolster if they are again to be a Top 25-ranked and feared offense. Center Ben Wilkerson is likely to be a leading candidate for the Rimington Award next fall as the nation's top center. The special teams return the SEC and nation's best punt returner Skyler Green (23-plus-per-return); he will be a junior and will make the receiving corps that much speedier. If Michael Clayton returns, which could be a long shot, LSU would possess the best set of receivers across the land...bar none. The RB situation is the deepest it has ever been. The nation's best scoring defense - allowing under 9 points per contest - will again be staunch. Allowing just over two per run, with a total of two rushing TDs (so far) has afforded the Tigers the country's top rushing defense. Can you believe the big question mark heading into last August was the Tiger defense? The blitzing schemes utilized by Coach Saban look to be even more devastating in 2004 with some of the defensive experience, speed and skill returning. Early road games at Auburn, Georgia, and Florida will make or break the Bayou Bengals in 2004. Closing against 'Bama, Ole Miss, and the Razorbacks will then tell us the SEC West's rep for Atlanta. Look for LSU to again be near the top of most 2004 season ending polls. If you want to pick a year to watch a game in Baton Rouge, buy your tickets now for 2004.