Despite the loss of Ryan Perrilloux, the 2008 LSU offense will not be all that dissimilar from what it was in 2007. While Perrilloux was the only quarterback with any real experience (Andrew Hatch did see some mop-up duty a time or two last season), the rest of the offense is loaded with experience and talent at every other position.

Coming off of a national championship year is never easy—just ask the 2004 LSU football team. Doing so with little, to no experience at quarterback is even tougher. Again, cite the 2004 squad.

Andrew Hatch, the Harvard transfer, enters his junior year with the only in-game experience the quarterback position can boast of.

Jarrett Lee, the highly-touted recruit from Texas, enters his redshirt freshman year ready to compete for the starting job.

The positive thing is that both Hatch and Lee have the same amount of experience in offensive coordinator Gary Crowton's system. The other positive is that Perrilloux had the same amount of experience.

It remains to be seen whether Hatch or Lee, or both for that matter, will excel in Crowton's offense. However, one thing is certain—the skill players surrounding these guys are not without experience, or talent for that matter.

As much as I don't want to, I would be remiss not to mention the cliche that rings true with so many new quarterbacks. You know the one. All Hatch or Lee has to do is manage the game and not make mistakes.

I would not say it if it wasn't true. Granted, LSU's road schedule is tough, and at some point one of these guys will have to make a play somewhere. But for the most part, managing the game will be the main priority.

Who gets the start to open the season? Hatch would be the easy choice, but Lee will get every opportunity to become the starting quarterback once practice starts in August.

Either way, I expect both guys to rotate in and out of games, much like Matt Flynn and Perrilloux did a year ago.

I spoke of the other skill positions that look to aid in the maturing process of both of these young quarterbacks. Where LSU lacks in experience at quarterback, they more than make up for it at just about every other offensive position on the field.

To start, look no further than the guys who will be lining up in the backfield. The LSU rushing attack netted 3,000 yards rushing for the season in 2007, and all but one of the guys responsible returns in 2008. LSU will have to replace Jacob Hester, but the guys returning are more than capable.

Keiland Williams is LSU's leading returning rusher, having rushed for 513 yards and six TDs in 2007. Williams is a power rusher with a slashing-type mentality. He looks to round the corner more than take it up the gut, but when he gets the corner, watch out, because his speed is lights out.

A perfect contrast to Williams is Charles Scott. Scott is a straight-ahead runner who no doubt will be looked upon to pick up the tough yards that Hester did so many times last season. Both Scott and Williams showed versatility as well, combining for 21 receptions and three TDs a year ago.

The two guys who complement the guys listed above are Richard Murphy and Trindon Holliday. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?