2014 SEC Football Preview: LSU Tigers

Ole Hotty Toddy is going to prepare you for the upcoming 2014 season with all the information we can provide you. We are even going to give you an in depth look at each SEC team.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at the LSU Tigers and what to expect from them in the upcoming 2014 season. We will go over which impact players are returning in 2014, who left, a look at there schedule, and then our staff will predict how the Tigers will do in the 2014 season.

Introduction

The LSU Tigers are coming off a 2013 third place finish in the SEC West, with a 5-3 SEC record, a 9-3 overall record, and an Outback Bowl win over Iowa that prevailed the Tigers to a 10 win season. The Tigers were upset last season (ranked in the top ten), by none other than yours truly, Ole Miss. LSU comes into 2014 under head coach Les Miles’ ninth season with the Tigers. Miles holds a 95-24 overall record with the Tigers, and a 6-3 bowl record with LSU, which includes the 2007 BCS National Championship win. This season, Miles will be losing a lot of talent, including starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger. Is this a rebuilding year for Miles and the Tigers as they look to bring a fresh new crop of talent.

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Who Has Left?

Zach Mettenberger (QB) – Zach Mettenberger played a huge role in the LSU Tigers’ offense over the past couple of seasons. Mettenberger picked up the starting quarterback role at LSU in 2012, and instantly proved he could hold his own in the SEC. Mettenberger finished 2012 with 2,609 total passing yards, and threw 12 touchdown passes. The 2013 season was the best of Mettenberger’s collegiate career. In 2013, he threw for 3,082 yards (3rd in the SEC), and 22 touchdown passes, making him one of the elite SEC quarterbacks of 2013. In 2014, Mettenberger went in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Tennessee Titans. Nov 9, 2013; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) passes during pre game warm ups before their game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Odell Beckham Jr. (WR) – Odell Beckham Jr. was the LSU Tiger’s top wide receiver in 2013, and one of the SEC leaders in receiving yards. Beckham finished last season with 1,117 receiving yards and a career-high eight touchdowns. He was an invaluable force to the Tigers’ offense in 2013. In 2014, Beckham opted out his senior year at LSU and went in the first round (12th overall pick) to the New York Giants in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Jeremy Hill (RB) – Talk about a player who was full of problems ever since he step foot on campus at LSU. Jeremy Hill was arrested in the fall of 2013 for a bar fight altercation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, near campus. This is coming from a guy who was already on probation in connection with a 2011 arrest. Hill suffered a minor slap on the wrist from Les Miles, and finished the 2013 season, as once again the LSU Tigers’ leading rusher. Hill had the best performance of his collegiate career in 2013. He would rush for a total of 1,401 yards, averaging almost seven yards a carry, and added 16 rushing touchdowns. Hill left the Tigers for the 2014 NFL Draft and went in the second round (55th overall pick) to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Other Notable Players: Ego Ferguson (DT), Jarvis Landry (WR), Trai Turner (OG), Alfred Blue (RB)

Who Is Coming?

Leonard Fournette (RB) – Leonard Fournette was the Robert Nkemdiche of 2014 going into National Signing Day. He made his commitment to LSU just after the Under Armor All-American game over top schools like Alabama. Fournette was the overall number one prospect in the nation. He’s a 5-star running back, ranked number one in his position and number one overall. Fournette is 6ft. – 1 inch, 224 lbs. explosive running back. His talent will be much needed and he should see playing time right from the beginning of his freshman season at LSU. After far as running backs, Fournette probably has the best tackle breaking skills in the nation and his explosiveness and speed can not be overlooked by defenders. Jan 2, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Team Highlight running back Leonard Fournette (5) runs with the ball during the first half at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Malachi Dupre (WR) – Les Miles need a lot to replace Odell Beckham Jr., so he went out picked up the number one wide receiver in the nation. Malachi Dupre committed and signed with LSU on National Signing Day over top schools like Alabama, FSU, and Ole Miss. Dupre was a 5-star prospect and rated the 4th overall player in Louisiana. As far as freshman wide receivers, he will have the best hands and agility then any other receiver coming into the league. Look for Miles to start him quickly in the 2014 season.

Clifton Garrett (OLB) – Les Miles also went out and picked one of the nation’s top linebackers in the country. Clifton Garrett is a 6ft. – 4 inch, 220 lb. outside/inside linebacker from Illinois. He was rated a 5-star prospect and number two in position nationally. Garrett has amazing quickness and is probably one of the best tacklers coming into the league.

Brandon Harris (QB) – Brandon Harris enrolled early at LSU and was able to join the team for spring practices. Harris looked exceptional better than sophomore Anthony Jennings in the annual spring game. Harris was a 4-star prospect and ranked third nationally in his position. Harris has great footwork and amazing arm strength. His pocket presence might surprise you of how well he is able to stay within the pocket. But, Harris does need to work on his accuracy. Nevertheless, Les Miles might have his mind made up after the spring, and Harris might be Miles’ first choice at the starting gig at quarterback.

Other Notable Players: Trey Quinn (WR), Garrett Bumfield (OG), Edward Paris (S), Darrel Williams (ATH)

Who Is Returning?

Tre-Davious White (CB) – Tre-Davious White is defensive back who stood out really well for the Tigers last season in his freshman year debut. White picked up 55 total tackles on the season and two interceptions. Look for White to continue to give receivers problems downfield in the 2014 season.

Anthony Jennings (QB) – Anthony Jennings made his collegiate start last season in the Outback Bowl against Iowa. He started the game, due to Zach Mettenberger’s torn ACL in the last regular season game. Jennings did not perform well in the Outback Bowl and it is said he was out beat by Harris in spring practice, making Harris the predominate favorite starter for LSU in 2014. The reason we are bringing up Jennings is that if he has a breakthrough in fall practice, he might beat Harris for the starting job at quarterback.

Josh Boutte (OT) – Josh Boutte is coming into his sophomore year at LSU. Boutte played a pivotal role on the offensive line for the Tigers in 2013. He has quickly given himself the reputation to give up no ground and is quick off the ball. He will be an invaluable force for the Tigers in the 2014 season.

Other Notable Players: Kawon Alexander (LB), Rashard Robinson (CB), Jalen Collins (CB), Kendell Beckwith (LB)

Ole Hotty Toddy’s Thoughts on LSU…

Acey Roberts: Ole Miss plays LSU at the end of October in Baton Rouge. Predicting this game is tough. Over the last 6 years, this series is tied at three games a piece. Five players return on offense and eight on defense for LSU with only two scholarship quarterbacks and early NFL departures at wide receiver will force coach Les Miles to retreat back to his grind it out ground game offense and gamble that a true freshman All-American in Leonard Fournette will carry the load for this team. The defense will be solid, as the only real holes are upfront, and recruiting should fill the gaps there. No one plays LSU harder in Baton Rouge than Ole Miss and given the offensive question marks on this team and the fact they lost to Ole Miss last year, there is no reason to expect LSU to be better than last year. I look for Ole Miss to win 27-14. By late October, LSU could have a Tiger outfielder Jared Foster taking snaps. One or two injuries could quickly decimate this team.

Dave Bevan: LSU lost a lot of talent this year to the NFL, hitting their depth chart hard. But, there is no question – Les Miles has an amazing amount of talent coming into the program in 2014. A lot of these prospects will going into 2014 as true-freshmen and will see a lot of playing time. Leonard Fournette is a given of those freshmen. Yet, with that talent comes inexperienced players. Ole Miss’ amazing talented freshmen of 2013, will come into 2014 with a year under their belt in the nation’s toughest conference. LSU will also start a brand new freshman quarterback. Looking outside the game against Ole Miss, LSU has a pretty tough schedule. They may get Alabama and Ole Miss at home, but traveling to Auburn and Texas A&M will be tough ones for the Tigers. Even the game against Florida in Gainesville could be an upset alert. I see three regular season loses for LSU this season, but I am going to make my prediction to be four losses. A loss to Auburn, Florida, Alabama, and – Texas A&M or Ole Miss being the fourth. Tigers fans might find that hard to swallow.