LSU Football: 10 Reasonable Goals for the 2012 Season

There are no limits when you talk about goals for the LSU Tigers in 2012.

Coming off one of the most dominant regular seasons in college football history, the Tigers could be more talented than they've ever been this upcoming season. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see this team's motto being "no ceilings" because it is more than capable of running the table and winning a national championship.

With that said, creating goals for such a team could almost be more of a challenge than the goals itself. Keeping that in mind, these are 10 reasonable goals for college football's scariest team in 2012.

2,500-Yard Season for Zach Mettenberger

Even with Zach Mettenberger at quarterback in 2012, LSU will be a run-first offense, but that doesn't mean Mettenberger won't post big numbers.

Mettenberger wowed LSU fans in the spring game as he showed off his accurate deep ball. The performance has many excited about the offense's potential because the Tigers haven't had a deep threat since Matt Flynn in 2007.

With talented players on the outside like Odell Beckham, Russell Shepard, Jarvis Landry and James Wright, Mettenberger should pass the 2,500-yard mark with ease.

A High-Scoring Offense (35 Points Per Game)

With Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson at quarterback, the Tigers averaged 35.7 points per game last season.

The offense got a lot of help from the defense forcing turnovers and it got some nice returns on special teams from Tyrann Mathieu and Mo Claiborne.

With the Tigers returning most of their stingy defense, Mathieu as a return guy and their enhanced offensive weapons, I see no reason why this team can't average 35 points per game.

Have First 1,000-Yard Receiving Performance Since 2003

I feel like I'm beating a dead horse when I continue to talk about Mettenberger's abilities, but it's such a drastic improvement from the past few seasons.

Him being at quarterback is going to allow receivers more of an opportunity to showcase their talents on the outside, and I think it's possible for the Tigers to have their first 1,000-yard receiving performance since Michael Clayton did it in 2003.

Though they have many playmakers on the outside, I'd put my money on Odell Beckham to be the guy that does it. He and Mettenberger already look to have great chemistry, and with his ability to get by defenders, he could break some big runs after the catch.

No. 1 Defense in the Country

Most of Alabama's fierce defense has left the team and are going to be playing in the NFL next year, but most of LSU's defense will be back in the fall.

The secondary will be held down by Tyrann Mathieu, Eric Reid, Tharold Simon and Craig Loston, while the defensive line will be anchored by Barkevious Mingo, Sam Montgomery, Bennie Logan and Anthony Johnson.

The only question mark is linebacker, and that's just what LSU recruited well. I've been very impressed with Ronnie Feist in the spring, and with other talents like Tajh Jones, Kwon Alexander and Lamin Barrow there, the Tigers should be just fine.

LSU will have one of the best defenses once again in 2012, and it's not a stretch for the Tigers to have the best defense in the nation.

Have a Heisman Winner

He almost won it last year, so why can't Tyrann Mathieu win the Heisman next year?

If Mathieu continues to dominate the game the way he has in his first two seasons at LSU, he will not only be deserving of a Heisman Trophy, but he should be considered as one of the greatest defenders in college football history.

I know that statement weighs heavily, but look at his overall body of work. Not only is he an electrifying return man, but he holds the school record in forced fumbles with 11 and also has four career interceptions, six sacks and four touchdowns.

That's only two seasons' worth of stats, and if he can keep it up, we could all witness the Honey Badger winning LSU's first Heisman since Billy Cannon.

An Undefeated Non-Conference Record

Considering the competition, going undefeated in non-conference shouldn't be a problem.

Going up against teams such as North Texas, Idaho, Washington and Towson, I'd be surprised to see any of these games being a challenge.

Washington might put up a fight with Keith Price at quarterback, but the Tigers' talent will end up creating the distance needed to win the game.

Win the SEC West

From the looks of it, Alabama and Arkansas will be tough to get by once again, but it's nothing the Tigers can't handle.

Arkansas and Alabama both have an advantage over LSU in the quarterback area due to experience, but LSU's defense will be more talented than both the Hogs and the Tide.

That and special teams will be the key factors in those games, and if the Tigers can buckle down and save their best games these two teams, they should get by both of those monsters.

Win the SEC

If you beat out Arkansas and Alabama, there's no reason why you can't beat the rest of the teams in not only the SEC, but the country, for that matter.

I imagine the Tigers will most likely be facing either South Carolina or Georgia in the SEC Championship, and though it will be closer than last year, the result should remain the same.

The depth and quality of athletes at LSU in 2012 will be superior to every other team, and that's what will get the Tigers through the gauntlet that is the SEC.

Finish What the 2011 Team Started

The Tigers failed to get the job done against Alabama in the national championship due to terrible quarterback play and a game plan for the birds.

Once the Tigers win the SEC, they should get their shot at redemption and beat any team that stands across from them.

The only team that really worries me next year is USC because it has talent all over the field. Should the Tigers play the Trojans, they will have to play sound football and use their schemes on defense to try and trick Matt Barkley into making mistakes.

Though it would make for an intense battle, I have no doubts the Tigers would walk away as the victors.

Go Down as One of the Greatest Teams of All Time

How can going down as one of the greatest teams of all time be reasonable?

I answer that question with another question: Have you seen LSU's roster?

The Tigers came one victory away from nearly bolstering that claim last season, and with a more explosive offense, just as talented defense and the best special teams in the country, this team is poised to do amazing things.

After all, this is supposed to be the year. When I saw the talent of the freshmen in 2010, I, along with many, thought, "Wow, 2012 is going to be our year," and last season turned out to be a wonderful surprise.

Buckle up, LSU fan—this 2012 bunch could go down in college football lore as one of the greatest teams of all time.