Despite uncertainty, LSU a formidable contender

Andrew Bucholtz
August 29, 2011

With the college football season set to kick off this coming week, one of the country’s largest spotlights is locked on the Lousiana State University Tigers. The Tigers are set for one of the most prominent games on opening weekend, as they’ll head to the massive Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas to take on Oregon, last year’s BCS runner-up. It’s a game that features the teams at No. 3 (Oregon) and No. 4 (LSU) in both the AP and USA Today polls, and it’s one that will likely have significant implications for both teams’ BCS hopes.

However, the star-studded matchup is starting to take some hits. Oregon’s still dealing with the fallout from the Willie Lyles saga, and they’ve since lost players Cliff Harris (to suspension) and Lache Seastrunk (to transfer). The questions are even more notable on the LSU side, where starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson and other players as well may miss this game thanks to questions about their involvement in a bar fight. Star receiver Russell Shepard is also out thanks to NCAA eligibility concerns raised by him living off-campus with a girlfriend who happens to work for the athletic department.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg for LSU, though. Offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe had to step down from that position in August following a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and former offensive coordinator Gary Crowton just publicly blasted current head coach Les Miles. The Tigers will have to find replacements for several departing stars from last year as well, including star cornerback Patrick Peterson and top running back Stevan Ridley. Add it all up, and LSU isn’t in an enviable situation heading into an opener against a tough Ducks team.

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It’s far too soon to write the Tigers off, however. After all, LSU has overcome a stunning array of obstacles during Miles’ time at the school. Just last season, they pulled off an incredible last-second escape against Tennessee and squeaked by Alabama and Florida in tight games. Miles may be referred to as “The Mad Hatter” in some quarters thanks to his omnipresent LSU baseball cap, his frequent habit of eating stadium grass and his unconventional decisions, but that formula’s worked out very well for the Tigers to date. Last season, they went 11-2 and won the Cotton Bowl despite frequently rotating between quarterbacks and having a generally inconsistent offense. Things are getting tough for them at the moment, but LSU has generally produced the strongest results when no one expects them to.

There’s still plenty to be optimistic about with this LSU team, too. Just on the offensive side of the ball, even if Jefferson isn’t able to play Saturday, he hadn’t really proven himself to be better than the Tigers’ other options at the position (Jarrett Lee and Zach Mettenberger). His suspension might be a blessing in disguise that could allow one of them to shine, and that may be better for the Tigers in the long run than relying on the interception-prone Jefferson. LSU should also still have a thumping running game despite Ridley’s departure; sophomore back Spencer Ware looks to have plenty of potential, and they’ve got a solid offensive line clearing the way for him.

Moreover, the defense should still be a notable strength for this team. Peterson’s absence will certainly hurt, but they have some great returning defensive backs in Tyrann Mathieu, Morris Claiborne and Ron Brooks. They have 15 starters returning overall, which should provide a useful amount of experience.

You can’t discount the man leading the charge, either; for all the criticisms of Miles and his eccentricities, the man’s put up an incredible 62-17 record in Baton Rouge. Things may seem rather black for the Tigers at the moment, but with Miles at the helm, they certainly still could burn bright in 2011.

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The Author:

Andrew Bucholtz