2009 LSU Tigers Football Preview

2009 LSU TIGERS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

There were times last season, even in what would otherwise be considered a total and complete rebuilding year under Coach Les Miles, that the LSU Tigers showed some real flashes of talent. While they were raw, and not nearly present enough, they were most definitely there. And while the team didn’t have a very good record within the SEC, at 3-5, its perfect play over the course of the season outside of the SEC, including a dominating win over Georgia Tech in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, led to an 8-5 season, and a rampant sense of purple and gold optimism among LSU fans.

LSU Tigers Helmet

2009 should be another step in the right direction for the program.

While neither the offense nor the defense was entirely harmonious over the course of the season, not surprising given the rebuilding mode that the team found itself in, both units did have a number of players step up and develop into above average type of talent.

On offense, the team should be greatly benefitted by the emergence of then junior running back Charles Scott, who had a tremendous season in which he amassed 1,174 yards and 18 touchdowns. It is essential that Scott’s emergence continues and that he is able to post at the very least similar numbers to what he posted last season if not numbers that are superior. If he is able to establish himself as a force on the offense, it should only stand to benefit the offense as a whole, as the passing game may struggle this season. Last season’s quarterback, although he did struggle at times provided some measure of leadership, and has now departed. The lack of a real stability at the [position could make the passing game less than reliable early in the season.

Defensively, LSU similarly is going to have to plug the holes that opened up as a result of graduation in order to maintain a high level of play this season. The ability of the team to quickly make that adjustment is going to go a long way in determining just how successful this team can be, particularly based on the expected inconsistency of the offense.

LSU Tigers 2007 SEC Football Championship Game

LSU Tigers 2007 SEC Football Championship Game Thanks to kellyj2777 at flickr.com for the picture.

The secondary and linebacking units are going to be the strength of the defense, as the front line is going to have some difficulty in immediately replacing some of the talent lost from last year’s team. The key to that secondary will probably be strong safety Harry Coleman, who many people expect will emerge as an elite level talent this season. Among the linebacking corps, Perry Riley and Kelvin Sheppard are expected to become key cogs of the unit.

When all is said and done, LSU enters a season of uncertainty. There really is a very wide range of possibilities as to how this team could finish off the 2009 season. It should take a step forward, but how big a step forward really remains to be seen. The SEC West is definitely within reach, and a lower tier bowl is also right there in the sights. But beyond that is difficult to imagine given the lack of any reliability out of the passing game.

LSU Mascot

Thanks to Roy Gullem at flickr.com/photos/roygullem for picture # 1; flickr.com/photos/lordsutch for picuture # 2; and, Slarche at flickr.com/photos/slarche for the final photo. Some rights are reserved for these photos.

If you are looking for our 2008 LSU Tigers Football page, check out 2008 LSU Tigers Football.

Other LSU Football Stories

2007 LSU Tigers Football

LSU Tigers Football History

Les Miles Biography

Billy Cannon Biography

All-Time Best SEC Football College -- (LSU is a finalist)

Biggest All-Time SEC Football Victory -- (LSU's 2003 BCS Championship is included)

Best All-Time SEC Football Rivalry Games

SEC Football Traditions

Best SEC Football Stadium (Death Valley is one of them)

Louisiana State University Baton Rouge Trip

SEC Football Predictions

2008 SEC Football Tickets

LSU Tigers Apparel

LSU Tigers Merchandise

LSU Tigers Tailgate Party Shop

LSU Tigers Fathead

LSU Tigers Fan Store

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