2005 LSU Preview

Expectations are great. No, really.

Fan interest is high. The stadium is full every Saturday night. Excitement surrounds the program. The Talking Heads are singing your praises.

Just don’t lose.

Don’t lose to Arizona State.
Don’t lose to Tennessee.
Don’t lose to Florida.
Don’t lose to Auburn.

And for God’s sakes man don’t lose to the likes of Mississippi State!

Expectations are great…as long as you don’t stumble.

LSU will be far from stumbling through the 2005 season. The Tigers are loaded and have the potential to make a run at an SEC Title and possible National Title. But to do so, the QB position must be a source of stability. For most of 2004, LSU fans covered their eyes as Randall and Russell flopped around from game to game. One week’s hero was next week’s goat. That can not happen this year if LSU is to have any chance of making a legitimate run at the Rose Bowl.

The entire offensive line is back and is joined by a bevy or returning players at the skill positions including Skyler Green, Craig Davis, Alley Broussard and Mr. Everything, Joseph Addai. If the pieces fall together, this could be the most prolific offense in LSU history. In 1969, the Tigers averaged a gaudy 34.9 points a game. While the 2005 Tigers will not be that prolific, look for LSU to put up BIG numbers throughout the season.

I am VERY curious to see LSU’s new defense. Seven starters return for new defensive coordinator, Bo Pelini. Pelini spent 2004 as co-defensive coordinator at Oklahoma and 2003 as defensive coordinator of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Pelini's 2003 Nebraska defense led the nation in pass efficiency defense (88.66 rating), ranked No. 2 in scoring defense (14.5 points per game), was No. 11 in passing yards per game (177.8 yards per game), and No. 11 in total defense (297.2 yards per game).

The defensive line is in great hands and is led by Kyle Williams. The linebacking corps and secondary will see new faces but there is plenty of talent returning with All-SEC Safety LaRon Landry leading the way.

Can Les Miles pull a Larry Coker? Can he win it all in his first year?

Yes and yes.

Miles and LSU can, but I don’t think they will. The Tigers will finish a fantastic 10-1. LSU will make a return trip to the SEC Championship, but a great regular season with a single blemish will not be enough to play in Pasadena. Who will serve as that sole loss? I have no idea. Last year I nailed the season picking LSU to go 9-2 and lose to Auburn and Georgia. This season I am not nearly as confident. There are a number of tough tests in 2005 that could derail the Tigers. But I expect a great deal of success and another SEC West title.

Finally, I want to dedicate this season’s Hit Parade to a wonderful person who is very close to me and the Traylor Clan. Our prayers will be with you all season.