Ah, one of my favorite days of Spring, collegefootballnews.com has posted their 2007 LSU preview. Nobody does a better job than these guys. So lets get to some of the highlights.
How loaded is LSU? It lost JaMarcus Russell, and likely will replace him with Matt Flynn, who has starter's experience, or eventually Ryan Perrilloux, the super-recruit of a few years ago with next-level skills and more running ability than Russell. The track team of NFL receivers that left is being replaced by another track team of NFL receivers, and veterans are waiting in the wings to replace the starting safeties.
Over the last few years, one of my favorite things has been to read about LSU in the preseason. After this preview, I can't wait for the season to start! The offensive preview was pretty mundane. They have to replace Russell, Bowe, Davis, but there's talent there. Yada, yada, yada. It was the defensive preview that really got me jacked for the season.
The defensive line:
Rating: 10
The linebackers:
Rating: 8.5
When you have a group that is "exposed" as above-average, you're pretty good.
The secondary:
This defense might not give up a point this year until the fourth quarter when its mop up duty time. Okay, so that's not entirely feasable, but this defense will be better than each of the last two, which each finished third nationally. Think 2003 with a better pass rush and less need to blitz.
I love the fact that LSU is now known -- year after year -- as being being tougher to score on than a nun. Opponents have to be intimidated going into the game knowing how hard its going to be to put points up. Not only that, but it puts more pressure on opposing defenses, knowing their offense isn't getting much on the scoreboard.
Watching this team, this year is going to be special. I don't necessarily expect an undefeated season because that's so hard in the SEC, but a 12-1 regular season, SEC Championship and BCS game (national championship, anyone?) should be locks this year.