LSU Football: Five Most Important Offensive Players

The LSU Tigers are atop the AP Poll with 40 first place votes and their defense has been the major reason why. However, their offense has been an under-the-radar unit in America.

It is not like they have zero talent on offense and in fact, I could make the argument their offense is just as talented as Arkansas, Auburn, Alabama, Florida or even Georgia.

The numbers do not necessarily back that statement up, though they are currently 19th in scoring offense (38 PPG). 

The defense and special teams unit could arguably give LSU a top five billing all season, but their offense could propel them to a BCS National Championship. The offense has been getting no love, so I rank my top five most important players on offense for these Bayou Bengals.

Spencer Ware/Michael Ford

This offense has one of the finest offensive lines in the nation and their horses can take this team as high as the sky.

Ware is the harder runner of the two, and Ford is the one out of the bullpen that can hit the home run ball.  Ford's yard per carry is at a solid 5.3 whereas Ware is at a modest 4.0. They were hardly used in a game against Kentucky, where they were not needed. 

Look for the Tigers to get 20 to 25 carries against Florida, Tennessee, Auburn and Alabama in the next month. LSU's favorite play that they run 24/7 would be its own version of a lead play, which is a quick toss.

Both are downhills runners, though, clearly Michael Ford enjoys breaking it outside the tackles. The play of the offensive line enables both of these backs to run wild in this offense, and without them, LSU would not be as potent. 

Rueben Randle

Rueben Randle has been one of the most talented wideouts in America for the past year or so. He may not necessarily get the touches like All-Americans gets, but his talent is right in line with them.

Randle is a playmaker that not only stretches the field, but he is the go-to guy if it is third and long. Not only a tremendous route runner, but his strong hands allows him to come away with key passes in crunch time, which is another reason why this Tiger is vital for the offense.

Drew Alleman

Wow, a stinking kicker? Yes, this kicker could arguably win these LSU Tigers a SEC and BCS National Championship.

Now, is the offensive the most important unit? No doubt! However, the starting five are all arguably equally talented, and though they are all vital, there is not single guy that carries their running game.

At least LSU can live and die with this kicker. He is 6 of 8 this year and made a few huge field goals early on against Mississippi State that kept his team in the lead.

If the offense continues to get great field position thanks to the defense, I would not be shocked to see a few field goals determine a few contests this season. 

Jarrett Lee

Don't fix what is not broken is the phrase used for this offense and Mr. Lee is the man in charge of leading it. 

Going 64 of 108 passing (59 percent) with seven touchdowns and only one interception certainly makes him the best option under center. Lee has been known for a wild passer up until this season, where he has seemingly hit every open target in stride and on the money for big yards. 

He found Odell Beckham for a deep touchdown against West Virginia and he has found Rueben Randle for a few touchdowns as well (Mississippi State).

If Lee continues to hit his viable options downfield and continues to get time to do so, then you have to love the chances of him leading the team to national prominence. 

Jordan Jefferson

Of course unless you have Jordan Jefferson on your roster. A duel-threat quarterback that can do it all is hard to come by in the SEC, and how much longer will it take before Jefferson lands the starting gig?

LSU fans, who do you want as your guy? Whoever gives you the best chance to win I hope! Now if Lee stays consistent, I would only use Jefferson in packages like Les already has been doing. 

However, when the schedule starts to heat up again, are you going to convince me that Lee won't budge and will deliver strike after strike with no mistakes?

Though he looks great one month into the season, I am not 110 percent confident he is the guy come November 5th. Jordan Jefferson can escape pressure when stout defenses attempt to shut down the running game and make LSU pass.

The players around Jefferson is not the problem, the question rather is if Jefferson can grasp the playbook and continue to develop in a month for that prime time contest with the Tide.

I still believe Les and his staff have a plan for Jordan if he can continue to develop the next few weeks, but don't be shocked if Jefferson is starting in a few weeks against Auburn before their BCS National Championship play-in type of showdown.