LSU Football: 5 Games Zach Mettenberger Will Need to Win with His Arm in 2013

After a full year as a starter, LSU head coach Les Miles is hoping that quarterback Zach Mettenberger is ready to take that next step in the 2013 college football season.

With a young, revamped defense, LSU will rely on an experienced offensive attack this season, led by Mettenberger.

Of course, the Tigers have traditionally been known as a run-first offense, but this team is going to need to get production from their passing game if they are going to be successful in 2013. After all, you can't run the ball every down, even if you are LSU.

So we ask, when is this team going to need their quarterback most?

Let's go ahead and break down five games that Zach Mettenberger will need to win with his arm.

Right here, right now.

Georgia

It is no secret that Georgia football is back on the rise. The Bulldogs should once again have one of the best teams throughout college football next season.

On offense, the Bulldogs have put up huge numbers behind a solid running game and an electric passing attack led by Aaron Murray.

But this team is also exceptional on the defensive side of the football. Because of that, LSU is going to have to rely on Mettenberger to get the job done through the air.

The Bulldogs will have a new-look secondary this season, which means that Mettenberger should be able to pick apart this defense with the right game plan.

Without a passing attack, no way LSU wins this game in Athens.

Ole Miss

LSU is scheduled to play at Ole Miss on Oct. 19th.

Now, of course, Ole Miss hasn't exactly been a powerhouse program over the past couple of years. But that could all change this season.

The Rebels are bringing in a mega-recruiting class this season, which should help them build on what was a strong 2012 finish, including a 38-17 stomping of Pittsburgh in the BBVA Compass Bowl.

When LSU and Ole Miss squared off last season, the Tigers edged the Rebels in a close game, 41-35. That game was played in Baton Rouge, while this year's contest will take place in Oxford.

With No.1-ranked prospect Robert Nkemdiche coming off the end, Zach Mettenberger better be on his A-game if LSU is going to win this football game.

Texas A&M

With Johnny Manziel under center, you better be ready to air it out on offense, because you know darn well that Texas A&M is going to score a lot of points, regardless of the opponent.

The Aggies averaged 44.5 points per game last season, which ranked fourth among all Division I college football teams.

This season should be much the same story. That means that in order to beat this team, LSU is going to have to keep up with them on the offensive side of the ball, and that falls on Mettenberger.

This Texas A&M team doesn't have an exceptional secondary by any means, so Mettenberger should be able to air it out successfully against this defense.

If he doesn't, this could be a long day for this LSU offense.

My bet is he will do so.

Alabama

When it comes to the top defenses in college football, no one is going to rival the defending national champs, Alabama.

Nick Saban's team plays a style of smothering defense that can frustrate any quarterback.

But where Alabama is traditionally best is in their run defense. Teams just simply aren't able to run against this unit, and obviously, that is a large part of how LSU's offense operates.

Because of that, Zach Mettenberger is going to have to step up in this game. If LSU has any chance at beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa this year, it is going to have to be behind the live arm of their senior quarterback.

Florida

The Florida Gators had an exceptional defense in 2012, and they should have an exceptional defense again this year in 2013.

Will Muschamp's team ranked fifth in the nation in the "points against" category, allowing just 14.5 points per game in 2012.

The Gators were exceptional on the defensive side of the ball, especially in the run game, allowing lfewer than 32 rushing yards per contest.

With that said, if any team, not just LSU, is going to get by the Gators this season, it is going to have to be with great defense and a solid passing game

That means that Zach Mettenberger will need to shine bright if LSU is going to top the Gators on Oct. 12 in Tiger Stadium.