LSU Tigers Football: 6 Players Who Are Key to the 2011 Season

LSU has certainly been one of the college football juggernauts over the past few years, winning two BCS titles in 2003 and 2007.

2011 was expected to be no different.

After recent events involving Jordan Jefferson and Josh Johns, it appears the team is going downhill.

However, aren't we blowing the loss of these two men a little out of proportion? I'm not saying their crime wasn't bad, because it was. What I'm talking about is that how good are they?

Johns is a reserve linebacker, and most experts don't find Jefferson to be an elite NCAA quarterback. 

The LSU season has hope—that hope lies within the arms of these six men.

Ryan Baker, Linebacker

The LSU defense remains one of the best in the nation, and this man is a big reason why. He was second on the team with 85 tackles, and also had seven sacks.

Baker is one of the more agile linebackers in the league, which makes him so good at blitzing the quarterback and stopping runners in the backfield. Dropping back to defend the pass really isn't in his specialty.

Being one of the toughest players in the nation, Baker is going to be a key component to the Tigers' defensive plan in 2011. If he comes out in the same form he did in 2010, it could be a long year of punishment for guys like Trent Richardson and Marcus Lattimore. 

Josh Dworaczyk, Left Guard

He's so key to this team, he makes the list even as a lineman. Last season, he played in every game, and protected his quarterback and backfield with great effectiveness.

At 6'6" and 301 lbs, Dworaczyk is one of the bigger guys in the SEC. Definitely not the biggest, but he will keep stellar Alabama and Florida defenses away from Jarrett Lee and Spencer Ware.

In his senior year, Dworaczyk is a sure-fire candidate for the Outland Trophy.

Morris Claiborne, Cornerback

Last season, Claiborne had a very good season opposite Patrick Peterson, defending 11 passes and making 37 tackles. ESPN has ranked him in the top 25 players in the SEC for 2011.

This comes with good reason—not only did he learn from Patrick Peterson, but his football knowledge is so vast, he can defend an entire side of the field. Quarterbacks will have a horrid time trying to throw anywhere in his vicinity because he reads passes so well.

Claiborne will be one of the best defenders in the nation, and will keep opponents off the scoreboard.

Spencer Ware, Running Back

Ware really wasn't used as a pure running back until the Cotton Bowl during his freshman season.

Oh, how things have changed.

Now that the passing game has evidently stalled for the time being, Ware is going to be given a large opportunity to be a breakout star. In that Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M, Ware carried 10 times for 102 yards. He certainly seized that opportunity.

In 2011, the elusive back will become more than just a fifth receiver on the field—2011 could see Ware be the surprise runner of the SEC.

Tyrann Mathieu, Cornerback

Mathieu had an incredible year as a true freshman in 2010, recording six forced fumbles, an interception and an impressive 59 tackles.

LSU's defense is considered to be one of the best in the nation, and the young sophomore is a huge reason why. He's got the "killer instinct" that so many corners should have.

Mathieu has incredibly quick feet and can keep up with any receiver you put him on. Watch for him to breakout with more than 60 tackles and at least seven picks.

Jarrett Lee, Quarterback

Lee steps into the spot where Jordan Jefferson was going to be. He certainly wasn't their best bet going into the season.

Over the past three years, Lee has recorded only 2,643 yards with 17 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

As a senior, those numbers are startlingly bad.

Now, Lee needs to step up. Despite his average career at LSU, he's shown flashes of being a good quarterback. He certainly has good receivers in Reuben Randle and Russell Shepard to spread the ball around to, and a great line to throw behind.

He's got more incentive this year than in any other to be an elite quarterback. Jefferson is suspended—but Lee isn't a lock unless he steps up his game.