College Football Rankings: 5 Reasons Why LSU Can and Will Win the SEC in 2011
In the world of college football, it's no secret that the toughest conference is the SEC. Year after year, teams including the Auburn Tigers, Alabama Crimson Tide and Florida Gators vie for top position not only in the conference, but in the BCS in hopes of winning a national title.
Yet, one team that has flown under the radar in recent years is LSU. Many people seem to forget that not too long ago, in 2007, the Tigers went 12-2 and won the BCS National Championship Game against the always-dangerous Ohio State Buckeyes, 38-24. The team did not fare as well the following season, as many key players graduated.
However, LSU went 11-2 last year and has a great recruiting class on the way in. Given how the two top teams in the SEC have lost some key players, as well as some other factors, it's a sure bet that the Tigers can indeed compete for a top spot in the conference.
Here are five reasons why the LSU Tigers can, and will, win the SEC.
No. 5: No Quarterback Controversy
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Last year, the quarterback situation for LSU was controversial. Despite having a great sophomore season in which he threw for 2,166 yards and 17 touchdowns, Jordan Jefferson spent his junior year at the position sharing time with Jarrett Lee. As a result, his numbers took a bit of a dive, as he threw for just 1,411 yards and seven touchdowns, along with 10 interceptions.
Yet, Miles showed everyone that Jefferson was still his go-to guy in the clutch once bowl season came along. The 6'4", 225-pound gunslinger got the starting nod for the AT&T Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M and did just what he had to do. He completed 10 of 19 passes for 158 yards and three touchdowns as well as running for 67 yards and one touchdown as LSU won 41-24.
If giving the opportunity during his senior season, Jefferson is sure to put up great numbers. He has a strong and accurate arm to go with good footwork, and he has a good running back in Spencer Ware to help shoulder the load. Look for Jefferson to have a great season as LSU goes for a shot at the title.
No 4: A Fairly Stressless Schedule
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LSU opens its season on September 3, and the team's first game is easily going to be the hardest. The Tigers have the unfortunate luck of starting the season against Oregon, a powerful offensive team who lost to Auburn in last year's BCS National Championship Game. The Ducks have most of their starters returning, but the Tigers have home field advantage, so the game is definitely winnable.
The team then has an easy six weeks that should all be wins, barring injuries to key players. The true test comes October 22, when they face defending national champion Auburn University at home. Next they have their bye week but have yet another challenge on November 5 when they play Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
The remainder of the season is three easy games, but it's obvious that Les Miles has those two games against the other Tigers and the Crimson Tide listed as the most important. No matter how good they have been in the past, Auburn and Alabama are really rolling dice this season given how many key starters each team has lost. If LSU can beat them or at least keep the game close, then they will truly be contenders for a national championship.
No. 3: Anthony Johnson
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For those of you who read my article on National Signing Day, you know that I said LSU filled a big hole when they signed their top recruit. This recruit is a young man named Anthony Johnson (pictured at left), and scouts considered him to be the top defensive tackle in the nation.
He may only be a freshman, but believe me when I say this: Johnson is essential to LSU's future success. He is 6'3", weighs 300 pounds and is very fast. Why is he so essential? Well, because he will fill the void that was left by Glenn Dorsey (now of the Kansas City Chiefs) after the championship season of 2007.
If Johnson can crack the starting lineup, look for LSU's defense to be the unstoppable force it was not so long ago.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 2: Les Miles
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Say what you will about LSU being overrated, how the team got lucky against Ohio State in 2007, and so on. Despite those opinions, there is no taking away from the fact that Les Miles has kept the school's football program relevant after the departure of Nick Saban. In six seasons in Baton Rouge, he has posted an astounding record of 62-17, including a 5-1 record in bowl games and one national championship.
Still not convinced? On two separate occasions, most recently as last season, Michigan has approached Miles about becoming its head football coach. Each time, Miles has said "no" to the Wolverines and then signed a contract extension with LSU.
The fact that he turned down one of the most highly-touted positions in all of college football to remain at LSU shows Miles's devotion to the Tigers and to making them a top team. With a new seven-year extension signed, that attitude will only help him and the team in their quest for another championship.
No. 1: Devoted Fans
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If you live in New York City, as I do, the general rule of thumb is that watching the BCS National Championship Game happens at the local sports bar. Of course, the 2007 game between LSU and Ohio State was no exception. When I got to the bar that night, I was shocked.
From wall to wall, there were LSU fans decked out in team gear. Chants of "LSU! LSU!" and repeated renditions of the school fight song were rampant, and the place erupted as the game ended.
That little anecdote from me has a point. LSU's fanbase stretches a lot further than Baton Rouge and the state of Louisiana. While the fans there are devoted, the out-of-state ones seem even more so.
With coast-to-coast support, a great coach and an extremely bright future, the LSU Tigers will surely be a force to be reckoned with in the SEC this season and for many more to come.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
