Predicting the 2014 SEC Football Season: LSU Tigers

The seventh in a series leading up to fall camps takes us down to the Bayou.

LSU Tigers 10-3 (5-3) in 2013

Synopsis:
Listening to LSU head coach Les Miles at SEC Media Days, one got the feeling that he didn't really know what kind of team the Tigers would field in 2014. There will be several new faces at the skilled positions.

Gone at quarterback are Zach Mettenberger, back-ups Rob "I Shoulda Stayed at Penn State" Bolden, Stephen "Philip's kid brother" Rivers, and former 4-star Hayden Rettig - the latter three who have all transferred out. Returning are sophomore Brandon Jennings who looked woeful in the Outback Bowl against Iowa (7 of 19 passes for 82 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT), and incoming true freshman Brandon Harris.

Wide receivers Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry are now in the NFL as are running backs Jeremy Hill and Alfred Blue. Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard return at RB but they are not every down backs. True freshman Leonard Fournette was basically given the opening day starter spot the day he enrolled. The Bayou Bengals may have to start a true freshman at QB, RB, and WR (Malachi Dupre) when they face Wisconsin Badgers in Houston, TX on August 30th.

LSU is talented but very young. There may be some growing pains this season.

Key returnees:
The entire offensive line including OT La'el Collins and OG Vadal Alexander, CB Jalen Collins, LB Kwon Alexander, DE Danielle Hunter.

Key losses:

WR Odell Beckham (Round 1, Giants), DT Ego Ferguson (Round 2, Bears), RB Jeremy Hill (Round 2, Bengals), WR Jarvis Landry (Round 2, Dolphins), OG Trai Turner (Round 3, Panthers), OLB Lamin Barrow (Round 5, Broncos), QB Zach Mettenberger (Round 6, Titans), RB Alfred Blue (Round 6, Texans), WR James Wright (Round 7, Bengals), S Craig Loston (UFA, Jaguars),  FB J.C. Copeland (UFA, Cowboys), DT Anthony Johnson (underclassman UFA, Dolphins).

Newcomers:
RB Leonard Fournette, QB Brandon Harris, WR Malachi Dupre, OLB Clifton Garrett, S Jamal Adams, SEdward Paris, DE Deondre Clark, DE Davon Godchaux.

The Schedule:
Aug 30 vs Wisconsin (Houston, TX) - W - this should be a tight game.
Sept 6 vs Sam Houston - W
Sept 13 vs UL Monroe - W
Sept 20 vs Mississippi State - W - The makings of an upset.
Sept 27 vs New Mexico St - W
Oct 4 @ Auburn - L
Oct 11 @ Florida - L - home field tilt's this in the Gators direction followed by a lot of Cajun complaining.
Oct 18 vs Kentucky - W
Oct 25 vs Ole Miss - W - I can't see Les Miles' Tigers losing two in a reaux to the Ackbars.
Nov 8 vs Alabama - L
Nov 15 @ Arkansas - W
Thu, Nov 27 @ Texas A&M - W - a tough road game but I think the Tigers pull it out.

Let's Go Bowling? Yes. I would not be surprised to see them return to Houston for the Texas Bowl vs. a Big 12 team.

........

Other previews:

• UGA Dawgs - very tight voting in this poll.
  
• South Carolina - warning: this poll was invaded by some Gamecocks fan.
  
• MSU Clanga-Clangs
• Arkansas Hawgs
• Tennessee Vols
• Ole Miss Rebel Ackbar Black Bears