PressBox: Countdown To Kickoff: LSU Tigers

Countdown To Kickoff: LSU Tigers

By Kevin Heitz

As fans count down the days until another college football season kicks off, this blog is breaking down the top 25.

3 -- LSU Tigers

Last year: (11-2, 6-2 SEC)

Coach: Les Miles (seventh year, 62-17 at LSU)

On paper, it may not make sense that LSU is ranked so high -- what with a suspended quarterback in Jordan Jefferson who, along with teammate Joshua Jones, has been suspended indefinitely following a bar fight in Baton Rouge.

"We will continue to cooperate with the authorities in an effort to find out exactly what took place during the incident," LSU coach Les Miles told ESPN.com. "As sad as this incident is, it's important that we learn from this and that we take away a valuable lesson. This has weighed on all of us. It's time for us to come together as a team and focus on what we are here to do."

What the Tigers have to do is not easy -- open the season against the fourth-ranked Oregon Ducks this weekend.

Jefferson's stats don't dazzle, but the three-year starter heads into the season as the winningest active SEC quarterback with a 20-7 record. But the question remains whether he will play another game for the Tigers. If he does, the inconsistent signal-caller will have a new offensive coordinator, Greg Studrawa, who was promoted from offensive line coach earlier this month after Steve Kragthorpe announced he had Parkinson's disease. Kragthorpe has remained on the staff as quarterbacks coach.

On defense, the Tigers lost five starters but should be an improved unit in 2011. Cornerback Patrick Peterson has taken his skills to the NFL, but the secondary will be in good shape under the watch of junior cornerback Morris Claiborne, who led the squad with five interceptions last season, and sophomore stat-machine Tyrann Mathieu, who racked up 57 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions and five forced fumbles in 2010.

Florida, Auburn and Arkansas all must visit Baton Rouge, which doesn't hurt, but LSU's season could go up in flames Sept. 3 as the Tigers kick off the season against Oregon.

"The schedule is going to be a very fun one," Miles said. "I think everyone is very excited about the Oregon game. They are a certainly talented team. … When you watch the film, you recognize they are very talented and very capable. I think that challenge will allow us to step up and compete. That will help us get the season started off."

Schedule

Sept. 3 -- @ Oregon

Sept. 10 -- Northwestern St.

Sept. 15 -- @ Mississippi St.

Sept. 24 -- @ West Virginia

Oct. 1 -- Kentucky

Oct. 8 -- Florida

Oct. 15 -- @ Tennessee

Oct. 22 -- Auburn

Nov. 5 -- @ Alabama

Nov. 12 -- Western Kentucky

Nov. 19 -- @ Ole Miss

Nov. 25 -- Arkansas

Posted Aug. 29, 2011