12/8/09
LSU will go through a huge amount of player turnover compared to other Top 25 teams. Per usual, many of these departures will be playing on Sundays next fall. But this is LSU, so realize quickly that the replacements will be more than good enough to keep the Bayou Bengals competitive. Trying to pinpoint exactly what caused some of the offensive ineptitude in 2009 is key. The running game took a major step backwards, but, as is true in their other units, plenty of quality running backs are still available to right the ship. Jordan Jefferson wasn’t expected to be an All-SEC caliber QB in his first real season of being the starter, but critically, he has to improve, or at least benefit somehow from the lessons learned. The OL may be the biggest project for coaches this off-season (11th in the conference rushing and dead last in sacks allowed). As always, the defense will pull the Tigers through many of the schedule’s obstacles. The secondary is stacked with athletes. The biggest player turnover will be in the defensive front seven. Call this a reloading project, as LSU will do well here with heralded young talent ready to step in. Nine- or ten-win seasons may be looked at as a disappointment in this part of the country but still, any expectations for a better win total in 2010 might be pushing reality to some degree with all of the personnel losses. Coach Miles and his staff will be going through a very important spring. Where this team lands in the August polls will be determined by what happens during that time. The SEC West is getting competitive again. LSU fits in this race somewhere near the top. Anything less than a January bowl invite will be unacceptable.