LSU Football: Projecting the Bayou Bengals' 2012 Starting Lineup

When it comes to the top teams in college football this season, LSU certainly tops the list.

But with the regular season coming on an end and the National Championship still two weeks away, college football fans can't help but to let their minds wonder.

Who will be the top teams in college football next year?

Will LSU be able to remain the cream of the crop?

Let's break this down and take a look at the Tigers' 2012 projected starting lineup.

Quarterback

With both Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee moving on after their senior seasons, that leaves the LSU quarterback job up for grabs heading into the 2012 season.

Right now, Zach Mettenberger looks like the clear favorite to take over the starting QB role in Baton Rouge.

However, with the recent news that Gunner Kiel just committed to LSU, the Tigers could have another quarterback battle ahead.

Mettenberger attended Georgia during his freshman season and was expected to do big things in the SEC before he was suspended and dismissed from the team after an arrest. He attended Butler Community College in 2010 and is now a member of LSU's team.

Kiel, on the other end, is considered by many to be the top prep quarterback prospect in the nation. He passed for 2,517 yards and 28 touchdowns with only four interceptions as a senior, and added almost 500 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.

Expect this to be an ongoing competition since both of these quarterbacks have a ton of talent and both are good enough to grab the starting reins in Baton Rouge next fall. 

Running Back

The Tigers are stacked at the running back position, which should help take off the pressure off the Tigers' inexperienced quarterback.

Spencer Ware, Michael Ford and Alfred Blue were all sophomores this season, and all rushed for more than 500 yards this past season.

But it dosen't stop there.

The Tigers also have super freshman Kenny Hilliard, who rushed for 320 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns this fall.

Chances are that Ware and Ford will be the starters, but look for Hilliard to take goal-line carries and for Blue to be involved in the mix as well.

Wide Receiver

Not only do the Tigers return all their running backs, but they also bring back their entire receiving crew.

Rueben Randle was arguably the best wide receiver in the SEC no one talked about. He hauled in 50 receptions for 904 yards and eight touchdowns, but didn't seem to get the same credit as the Alshon Jeffrey's of the college football world.

On the other end, Odell Beckham had an outstanding freshman season at LSU. He entered the season in a backup role, but quickly outperformed Russell Shepard and took over the No. 2 spot behind Randle.

Add Shepard into the mix, and that is arguably the top wide receiver trio in the nation for the 2012 college football season.

Tight End

Chase Clement served in a backup role to Deangelo Peterson this season, but he did a fine job in doing so.

This season, Clement should have the starting tight end gig all to himself.

The 6'5", 250-pound Clement caught seven passes for 96 yards and a touchdown in a reserve role this season. Look for those numbers to triple in 2012, assuming he wins the starting role.

Offensive Line

T: Kevin Faulk

T: Alex Hurst

G: Josh Williford

G: La'el Collins

C: P.J. Lonergan

LSU featured one of the top offensive lines in the country this year, paving the way for a rushing game that totaled more than 2,700 yards heading into the National Championship Game.

While this unit will lose All-American candidate Will Blackwell to graduation, they will return tackle Kevin Faulk, who was dominant this year in his sophomore season.

Hurst and Lonergan both had starting time this season as well. Collins and Williford will both be new to being full-time starters at guard, but Mettenberger shouldn't have to worry about his blind side with plenty of talent and experience at the tackle positions. 

Defensive Line

DE: Barkevious Mingo

DE: Sam Montgomery

DT: Michael Brockers

DT: Bennie Logan

Alabama might have had the best linebackers in the country, but LSU might have had the best defensive front in all of football.

And the beautiful part about it is that all the starters should return in 2012.

Sam Montgomery was an absolute dominant force from the defensive end position in his sophomore season, and he should return to anchor this solid line.

As good as this unit was in 2011, they should be even better in 2012.

Linebackers

Sam: Tahj Jones

Mike: Kevin Minter

Will: Lamin Barrow

This unit was young this season, but they greatly improved as the season progressed.

Tahj Jones played great in a reserve role, and Lamin Barrow is still slightly unknown, but is filled with talent and potential.

The one mainstay of this unit is Kevin Minter who manned the Mike linebacker position to a near perfection this season.

This unit will miss Ryan Baker, but expect big things for this unit in 2012. 

Cornerbacks

LSU had the best combination of cornerbacks in college football this season with Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne.

Many expect Claiborne to be an early first-round draft pick if he does declare for the NFL draft this April. On the other end, Mathieu will be back for at least one more season in Baton Rouge and should be considered to be the best cornerback in all of college football in 2012.

With Claiborne gone, LSU would look to Ron Brooks, but he is graduating as well. Therefore Tharold Simon should be next in line for a starting gig.

However, that could all change if Landon Collins commits; he is a talented freshman homegrown from Louisiana.

Either way, this should be a very talented group. 

Safeties

The hit pictured right here is a short preview of what opponents felt when they went over the top with LSU safeties.

Eric Reid, the Tigers' top hitting safety, will return next year after having a standout sophomore season. Brandon Taylor is gone, which means Craig Loston should fit in and fill the gap at the safety position.

All in all, returning seven of 11 starters on a defense that was the best in all of college football means that LSU should be in for another special year in the 2012 season.

Special Teams

There wasn't a more electrifying return man in the country outside of Tyrann Mathieu.

Fortunately for the Tigers he will be back this season and should bring his exciting returns with him back to Baton Rouge.

The Tigers also featured one of the top punters in the country last season in freshman Brad Wing, who will be back for his sophomore season.

Doing the kicking duties will be Drew Alleman, who will be the team's leader on special teams.

As good as this unit was this past year, they could potentially be even better this season. Look for this to be the best special teams unit in college football next season.