LSU Football: Can the Tigers Survive Another Season of Jordan Jefferson at QB?

It is no secret that the 2010 football season for the LSU Tigers was one marred by inconsistency and lack of production on the offensive side of the ball, most of which can be directly attributed to quarterback Jordan Jefferson.

Head coach Les Miles finally showed some sign of understanding that Jefferson is not the man for the job by signing junior college standout and former Georgia quarterback Zach Mettenberger before the 2010 season was even completed.

Miles also hired new offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe who has a history of being pass-happy and quarterback friendly which shows that Miles is committed to bringing a passing game to the LSU arsenal.

The offseason will be filled with competition, but none more important than the quarterbacks.

Despite an excellent bowl performance by Jefferson in the Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M, I doubt that many fans are pulling for him to win the starting job in 2011. 

However, Mettenberger is a quality quarterback and if Jefferson can legitimately win the job, that would have to show that he has grown and developed from his inconsistent ways of 2010.

The fact that Mettenberger will be nipping at his heels should keep Jefferson motivated and force him to show the fire and explosiveness that Tiger fans have been missing.

Regardless of the outcome of the quarterback competition, Tiger fans expect better than what they saw in 2010. 

Whether it is Mettenberger or Jefferson under center, LSU cannot compete for an SEC or BCS title if the quarterback play does not improve.

However, the slightest improvement could push a team that was on the edge last season right into contention for their third BCS title in eight years.