The last time we saw Les Miles and Co. they were hoisting up the Waterford Trophy that is given to the BCS National Champion.

LSU had a dominating performance over Jim Tressel's Ohio State Buckeyes, as they beat them with a little bit of trickery mixed with hard-nosed SEC football.

Now they've reloaded and seek to not only become the first team in the BCS era to win three national titles, but also to win two straight. Though many of the LSU faithful believe that Miles can "get 'er done", it's going to take a little more than just belief and a warm fuzzy feeling for them to repeat.

LSU will have to traverse the shark-infested SEC waters without their All-American Glenn Dorsey and stud running back Jacob Hester. Both brought toughness and swagger to their respective units, as well as quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux.

One might say, "Well, this is LSU and we don't rebuild, we reload". That definitely is true, however, having a team littered with seniors, All-Americans, and All-SEC players is invaluable and can't easily be replaced by just talent alone.

Even with a team that had so many standout players, LSU still managed to lose twice, and it took a few teams to lose for them to get a spot in the BCS game. Oh...did I mention Bo Pellini is coaching Nebraska? With all that said, can LSU actually repeat and win the SEC?

Lets look at a few factors.  

 

Experience

Looking back at past champions in the BCS era, they all had a good or dominate defense and a good or dominate offense. Some might argue that Ohio State had a dominate defense but a terrible offense, however, a good offense to me is one that A) doesn't turn the ball over, B) plays smart, and C) wins games when it counts.

You can put up all the points in the world, but if it doesn't win games, then it's meaningless. In '07, LSU had both in spades, however, this year, they have five returning starters on both offense and defense.

Yes, they have stars waiting in the wings, however, last time I checked, freshmen and sophomores win games, not championships. With no Flynn and Perrilloux, Miles has to turn to either Jarret Lee or Andrew Hatch to run the show.  

 

SCHEDULE

All I will say is remember Michigan for the first game. This is a "trap" game by the truest definition. I am positive Les Miles will have his troops ready, however, Appalachian State believes they can shock the world, again!

I would not want this game first if I were Les Miles—especially at home!

The schedule is a lot tougher than one would think. After App. State, Troy comes calling, and this is another team that cannot be taken lightly. At Florida and home against Georgia are the marquee games.

Florida will be looking for revenge and Georgia looks to solidify their claim for SEC superiority. Mississippi State is on the rise and Croom will be looking for a statement game.  

Aug. 30 Appalachian State 

Sept. 6 Troy 

Sept. 13 North Texas 

Sept. 20 at Auburn 

Sept. 27 Mississippi State 

Oct. 11 at Florida 

Oct. 18 at South Carolina 

Oct. 25 Georgia 

Nov. 1 Tulane 

Nov. 8 Alabama 

Nov. 22 Ole Miss 

Nov. 28 Arkansas (Little Rock)  

 

The Good

LSU will be well coached and well disciplined, as all of Les Miles' teams are. A solid defense will be led by Ricky Jean-Francois, who is an absolute beast. Their recruiting class in '07, which should pay dividends this year, is led by Demetrius Byrd.

Byrd has the potential to be the best wideout in the SEC, and Keiland Williams should be better than Hester in the backfield.  

 

The Bad

LSU will have a tough time on offense. Yes, Byrd will fly and soar over defensive backs, but who is going to get him the ball. Their offensive line is one of the best in the country, and whoever is back there will have time to throw. However, the "throwing" is the tough part.  

 

Record

I see losses to both Florida and Georgia, which are expected. However, the game against Auburn should be watched closely. LSU probably would have won that game even without that remarkable catch by Byrd, however, Auburn played them tough.

The year before, Auburn beat a very good team with JaMarcus Russell at quarterback, and the year before that; their game went into overtime. I look for another close game and perhaps Tuberville coming out on top.   

 

Final analysis

8-3 record. They will get an invite to play in a bowl this year, but not the BCS. I see loses to Florida, Auburn, Georgia, and maybe...just maybe Alabama. The quarterback position will be too much to overcome, and the loss of phenom Jarvis Jones doesn't help their inexperienced quarterbacks.