The Tigers are another perennial SEC powerhouse that milks every drop of their in-state football talent. <\/p>\n
2011-2012 SEC | LSU Tigers Football Preview<\/strong> Being a pipeline for talent-rich regions like Louisiana and Texas, LSU has the athletes to thrive in the SEC and groom for the pros.<\/p>\n Polarizing head coach Miles has extended his deal with the Tigers, after the overtures from Michigan were put to rest.\u00a0 Miles has a National Title from 2003, but it was won with previous coach Nick Saban\u2019s recruits and Miles has lately gone three years without an SEC West crown. With LSU\u2019s 2011 talent and a lucrative new deal from the university, it\u2019s time for Miles to produce again.<\/p>\n Team Strengths<\/strong><\/p>\n Louisiana State has a prodigiously talented receiver corps. Junior Reuben Randle is a physical marvel and former QB Russell Shepard is a pure athlete with electric quickness. Highly-touted gems like Chris Tolliver, Kadron Boone and freshman Jarvis Landry provide depth.<\/p>\n Defensively, the Tigers will be characteristically strong. LSU boasts a great tandem of corners with Morris Claiborne and underclassman Tyrann Mathieu. To go along with returning starters Brandon Taylor and Craig Loston at safety, LSU should have a premier secondary. Senior \u201cWill\u201d LB Ryan Baker is an absolute missile.<\/p>\n The experienced O-line will be spearheaded on the interior with junior P.J. Lonergan and seniors Josh Dworaczyk and Will Blackwell.<\/p>\n Team Weaknesses<\/strong><\/p>\n Not unlike LSU\u2019s divisional rival Alabama, the Tigers have some questions under center. LSU stormed to an 11-2 record last year even with spotty QB play from Jordan Jefferson. Jefferson is a senior in 2011; he has size and athleticism but has never put up the gaudy numbers expected of a good passer. The good news is that 6\u201d5, 250 lb JUCO player Zach Mettenberger (a former Georgia signee) was brought in for the spring to provide an insurance policy.<\/p>\n The special teams should also take a step back with the departure of K Josh Jasper and P Derek Helton. [soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n 2011 LSU Football Prediction: 11-2<\/strong><\/p>\n LSU fans and boosters have high expectations, and the 2011 edition of the Tigers has the talent and depth not just to make noise in the SEC West, but on the national stage. The play of Jefferson\/Mettenberger and some new faces on the defensive line will be crucial to determining the amount of success LSU sees this year. <\/p>\n The Tigers will be a favorite in the vast majority of their games, but they open the season with a game vs. Pac-12 king Oregon in Arlington, TX and must travel to Mississippi State, West Virginia and \u2019Bama. <\/p>\n It\u2019s true LSU has its usual glut of talent (with more on the way) but unless Jefferson greatly exceeds expectations, it\u2019s hard to picture the Boys from the Bayou leapfrogging Alabama for top dog in the division.<\/p>\n In a division and conference where virtually no one escapes unscathed, however, anything is possible.<\/p>\n 2011 LSU Fighting Tigers Schedule<\/strong><\/p>\n 9\/3\/11\t 8:00 PM ET\tORE
\nCoach: <\/strong>Les Miles
\n2010 Record: <\/strong>11-2
\nLouisiana State Tigers Gambling Odds from Bodog.eu to win BCS: +1000<\/strong>
\n Louisiana St. Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n9\/10\/11\t 8:00 PM ET\t NWST
\n9\/15\/11\t 8:00 PM ET\t @MISST
\n9\/24\/11\t 12:00 PM ET\t @WVIRG
\n10\/1\/11\t 8:00 PM ET\tKENTY
\n10\/8\/11\t 8:00 PM ET\tFLA
\n10\/15\/11 12:00 PM ET\t @TENN
\n10\/22\/11 8:00 PM ET\tAUB
\n11\/5\/11\t 12:00 PM ET\t @ALAB
\n11\/12\/11 8:00 PM ET\tWKEN
\n11\/19\/11 12:00 PM ET\t @MISS
\n11\/25\/11 2:30 PM ET\tARK<\/p>\nClick here to check out MORE 2011 college football previews for the 2011-2012 NCAA Football Season!<\/a><\/h3>\n