LSU Football: Should Tigers Hitch Their Wagon To QB Transfer Zach Mettenberger?

As LSU was struggling to move the chains through the air in 2010, Tiger fans were becoming restless until Jordan Jefferson finally got it moving in the Cotton Bowl, throwing three touchdowns to Terrence Toliver while leading the Tigers to a 41-24 victory over Big 12 representative Texas A&M.

Despite ending the year on a good note, Jefferson is still being looked at with skepticism, as fans wonder whether he will continue playing like he did in the Cotton Bowl or revert back to the inconsistent play that we saw for most of the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Things will be a little better for Tiger fans and head coach Les Miles in 2011, as LSU has the added luxury of Georgia quarterback transfer Zach Mettenberger to push Jefferson to improve.

Throughout the spring, Jefferson and Mettenberger have played well, giving Tiger fans a glimmer of hope for improvement from the quarterback position.

Both players have distinct games with Jefferson providing a running threat and Mettenberger providing the strong arm and accuracy from the pocket that Tiger fans saw glimpses of from Jarrett Lee.

Right now, it looks as though Jefferson will retain the starting role as he has shown signs of improvement with Mettenberger nipping at his heels.

Tiger fans hoping for a change should prepare themselves to see Jefferson take the field as the starter against Oregon as the Tigers open the 2011 season.

However, if his play does not improve from last year and the Tigers struggle to move the chains, expect to see Mettenberger either take the reins or at least rotate in as Lee did last season.

Regardless of which guy begins the season as the starter, Tiger fans can rest assured that Miles and new offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe have another option this year in Mettenberger and will find a way to move the chains and get the ball into the hands of their play makers.

With expectations of SEC and BCS titles in 2011, LSU needs one of these guys to step up and lead the team by moving the chains, sustaining drives and ultimately putting points on the board.