2011 record: 13-1 overall, 8-0 in SEC (1st in West)
2011 postseason: SEC title game (42-10 win over Georgia); BcS title game (21-0 loss to Alabama)
2011 final AP/coaches’ ranking: No. 2/No. 2
Head coach: Les Miles (103-39 overall, 75-18 in seven seasons at LSU)
Offensive coordinator: Greg Studrawa (sixth season at LSU, second as OC)
2011 offensive rankings: 22nd rushing offense (202.6 ypg); 106th passing offense (152.5 ypg); 86th total offense (355.1 ypg); 17th scoring offense (35.7 ppg)
Returning offensive starters: seven
Defensive coordinator: John Chavis (fourth season at LSU, fourth as DC)
2011 defensive rankings: 5th rushing defense (90.1 ypg); 8th passing defense (171.4 ypg); 2nd total defense 261.5 ypg); 2nd scoring defense (11.3 ppg)
Returning defensive starters: five
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Stadium: Tiger Stadium (92,542; grass)
Last league title: 2011
Schedule: [view]
Roster: [view]
2011 statistics: [view]
The Good
Normally when a team loses its two most experienced quarterbacks, it’s a cause for significant concern. In LSU’s case, it’s cause for much joy and jubilation. Gone are Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee, the Bonnie & Clyde of the QB position the past three seasons and who “helped” the Tigers to the 106th-ranked passing offense -- out of 120 teams -- last season. In is Georgia transfer Zach Mettenberger, a strong-armed passer who has the ability to keep defenses honest enough that they’ll actually have to (gasp!) respect the passing game and allow Miles to stick his fork deeper into his meat and potatoes -- a power running attack.
The Bad
It looked like not much ... until Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu got kicked off the team, which makes a return to the Top 5 much more questionable than we had originally presumed. The loss of seven starters from a defense that was second in the country in yards and points allowed will certainly have an impact. Playing conference road games at Auburn, Florida, Texas A&M and Arkansas is certainly not optimal in the Tigers’ bid for a second straight SEC title, but it is manageable.
The Unknown
Certainly there’s a lot of hype surrounding Mettenberger, but what exactly will LSU be getting under center? Mettenberger has only thrown 11 passes -- all of those in mop-up duty last season -- during a collegiaie career that began at Georgia. After redshirting as a true freshman in 2009, Mettenberger exited spring practice in 2010 with perhaps a slight lead in UGA’s race to replace Matthew Stafford -- a race that includes current Bulldogs starter Aaron Murray. An arrest prior to the start of those spring sessions, however, led to his dismissal and a year in the JUCO ranks in 2010. Obviously, Mettenberger has never started a game at this level, and to do it now on a team with title aspirations makes one wonder if he does indeed have “the chest” to handle such a responsibility.
Make-or-break game: vs. Alabama, Nov. 3
Last year, LSU got the best of Alabama in the soccer-style regular season match-up in Tuscaloosa, with the Tide pulling the ultimate defensive trump card in the BcS title game. This season, the Tigers get the Tide in Death Valley, and will be looking to avenge the stunning shutout loss this past January. The winner of this game will likely be in the driver’s for both the West’s slot in the SEC title game and, possibly, one of the two slots in the 2013 BcS title game. Yeah, not much at stake there.
Heisman hopeful: cornerback Tyrann Mathieu ... oh, never mind.
Return to CFT’s preseason Top 25