LSU Spring Game 2013: Date, Time, Practice Schedule and TV Info

Can you smell it in the air, ladies and gentlemen?

The end of February is here, and that means spring football is quickly approaching.

Sure, there are those fans who could care less about spring football, but you won't find many of those people around Baton Rouge this time of year.

The true LSU fans view spring football as a chance to see what the future looks like and a chance to get a sneak peak as to what this 2013 LSU football team might look like.

With that said, let's go ahead and get you ready with a little preview of what's to come this spring at LSU.

Right here, right now.

Bleacher Report Style!

Game Info

Date: Saturday, April 20, 2013

Time: TBD

Practice Schedule: Begins March 14, Concludes April 20th

TV Info: TBD

What to Watch for on Offense

Quarterback: Zach Mettenberger is the starting quarterback of this LSU team heading into the 2013 season, no questions asked. But, who will be the Tigers' top backup?

Stephen Rivers and Rob Bolden are both very talented backups, and freshman Anthony Jennings enrolled early and will take part in spring practices as well.

Running Back: This should be a great spring battle to keep an eye on between three talented backs.

Alfred Blue was the Tigers' top back last year before getting hurt in Week 3 of the season. He was replaced by Jeremy Hill, who had an exceptional season, finishing as the Tigers' leading rusher.

In addition to Blue and Hill, Kenny Hilliard is another talented back who can run over opponents with his powerful style of running.

Wide Receiver: Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry have established themselves as the top two receivers on this team, but who will fill that No. 3 spot?

Will it be Kadron Boone, James Wright or an incoming freshman?

We shall wait and see.

Tight End: This should be a great ongoing battle throughout the spring and probably into the summer and fall.

Travis Dickson is the top returning tight end on the LSU roster. Logan Stokes is a junior college transfer who will certainly help his stock by enrolling early this spring and getting in these extra practices. And then there is true freshman DeSean Smith, probably the most talented of the group, but he won't arrive until after the spring practices.

This could be the best, most competitive position battle in practice heading into this year.

Offensive Line: With offensive tackle Chris Faulk bolting early for the NFL Draft and the graduation of center P.J. Lonergan, who will step up on this LSU offensive line?

Will the Tigers move La'El Collins over to tackle and pair him with Vadal Alexander, who had an impressive freshman season in 2012?

Will Josh Williford and Trai Turner maintain the two guard spots, or will they get pushed by talented incoming freshmen?

Certainly keep an eye out on these offensive line position battles throughout the spring. 

What to Watch for on Defense

Defensive Line: This is the big area to watch on defense for LSU.

The Tigers lost all four of their starting defensive linemen from last season, leaving a huge void heading into 2013.

Is Jermauria Rasco ready to step up and be a starter at defensive end? Will a young defensive end step up such as Danielle Hunter or Frank Herron?

Will Anthony Johnson and Ego Ferguson finally land those starting spots at defensive tackle?

Linebacker: This is another area to keep a close eye on this spring.

Kwon Alexander and Lamin Barrow are both returning starters who were great last season, but will Barrow stay on the outside or make the move to inside linebacker?

Will Tahj Jones get back on the coaches' good side and earn his starting spot back after being suspended last season?

Will a standout from last year's freshmen class such as Ronnie Feist, Lamar Louis or Deion Jones come in and swoop one of these starting linebacker spots?

This should be a great battle throughout the spring practices and into the April 20th game.

Secondary: With Tharold Simon bolting early for the NFL Draft, this LSU secondary turns into the "Jalen Show."

Jalen Mills and Jalen Collins are expected to take over the two starting cornerback spots, but there are so many talented young corners on this roster that should push these two in the spring and into the season.

At safety, Craig Loston returns after a solid junior campaign, but who will fill the other safety spot after the departure of All-American Eric Reid?

Look for Micah Eugene and Ronald Martin to battle for that second safety job. Both had some experience last season and both appear ready to take on a starting role. 

What to Watch for on Special Teams

Kicker Drew Alleman is gone.

Punter Brad Wing is gone.

Kick returner Michael Ford is gone.

In other words, LSU's special teams unit is going to look very different in 2013, and the position battles should start right here in spring camp.

James Hairston is expected to be the new kicker and sophomore Jamie Keehn the new punter, but we will see how that all plays out.

As far as the return game, look for Odell Beckham Jr. to maintain his spot as the punt return man, but the kickoff return man should be a great spot to watch.

Jarvis Landry is certainly a candidate, but so is true freshman Jeryl Brazil, who should be one of the fastest players in all of college football this season.

This special teams unit has the potential to be good, but they are certainly young.

Overview

Yes, it is spring football, but make no mistake about it, Tiger Stadium will be rocking come April 20th.

There are plenty of intriguing subplots heading into the spring.

Will Hill or Blue win the starting running back spot?

Who will fill the void after all four of LSU's 2012 starting defensive linemen have either graduated, or are entering the NFL draft?

Will we see any of the incoming freshmen vie for starting roles in 2013?

As you can see, the spring is filled with plenty of questions for this LSU football team, but there is a ton of talent on this roster, which should make for plenty of exceptional positions battles.

To all you Bayou Bengals fans—get your popcorn ready!