2009 LSU Tigers College Football Predictions

2009 LSU Tigers Predictions
2008 Record: (8-5, 3-5)
Coach: Les Miles, 5th year (42-11 at LSU, 70-32 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Gary Crowton (3rd year)
Def. Coordinator: John Chavis (1st year)
Returning Starters: 13 (7 offense, 6 defense)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes (Jarrett Lee).

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Offense: The Tigers return seven starters from a unit that produced 30.9ppg and 368.1 yards per game (55th in the nation). They return sophomore QB Jarrett Lee (6-2, 216), who threw for 1,873 yards, but has been supplanted by sophomore Jordan Jefferson (6-4, 209). Jefferson started the regular season finale- a 38-3 Chick-fil-A-Bowl game win over Georgia Tech. He will also have several weapons back, including senior WR Brandon LaFell (6-3, 209), who has led LSU in receiving each of the past two years. He caught an SEC-best eight touchdown passes, while finishing with 63 catches for 929 yards. At running back, they bring back senior Charles Scott (5-11, 233), who rushed for 1,174 yards. He is the rare combination of being a bruiser with breakaway speed. Up front, they return three starters, including senior left tackle Ciron Black (6-5, 325).

Defense: The defense brings back six starters from a unit that allowed 24.2ppg (56th in the nation) and 325.5 yards per game (32nd in the nation). Former Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis takes over the defense and has made several changes. One of them was to move strong safety Harry Coleman (6-2, 205) to outside linebacker. Up front, they return just one of the four members. Senior DE Rahim Alem (6-3, 254) adds great pass rushing ability (8 sacks), while DT Charles Alexander (6-3, 310) adds bulk up front. At linebacker, Coleman (71 tackles) will helped a strong unit that also features senior Perry Riley (6-1, 240) and junior Kelvin Sheppard (6-3, 237). In the secondary, both starting corners return including senior Chris Hawkins, who picked off three passes last year.

Outlook: The Tigers open at Washington and then host Vandy and Louisiana-Lafayette. They also host Tulane and Louisiana Tech in what should be an easy non-conference schedules. Home games against Florida and Auburn should be tough, along with two huge road games against Georgia, Alabama and Ole Miss. This is an excellent team that does have some concerns at quarterback and on defense.

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