2009 LSU Tigers Football Preview
2009 LSU Tigers season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official LSU Tigers football preview as well as the 2009 LSU Tigers Football Schedule. We also offer a free odds comparison service of lines and totals on the NCAA football odds page.
Coach: Les Miles (5th year at LSU)
Team Name: Tigers
2008 Overall Record: 8-5
Returning Starters: 14
In terms of bowl appearance, the LSU Tigers (8- 5 overall, 3- 5 SEC) have been on a roll. In four years, they’ve won four straight. Last year, after finishing tied for third in the SEC West, they beat Georgia Tech 38- 3 in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. However, last season was a disappointment for the Tigers. After finishing first in the SEC and winning the National Title in 2007, LSU ‘s fortunes fell. This season, the team looks to be on the rise again.
The offense will be led this season by sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson (73 ATT, 36 COMP, 1 INT, 4 TDs). Although he does not have a lot of experience, Jefferson is a smart player and a fine athlete. He’ll have some good hands to throw to, including WR Brandon LaFell (63 REC, 929 YDs, 8 TDs) and TE Richard Dickson (31 REC, 324 YDs, 5 TDs). Last year, LaFell led the SEC in catches and receiving yards. Senior running back Charles Scott (217 ATT, 1,174 YDs, 18 TDs) topped the league in rushing touchdowns last season. The frontline has experience, talent and skill. This team averaged 30.9 PPG in 2008. They should put even more points on the board this year.
Last season, the Tiger defense was 12th in the nation at stopping the run, allowing an average of 110.2 YPG. However, the club’s pass “D” was weak as opponents averaged 215.4 YPG (73rd nationally). New coordinator John Chavis has redefined and rebuilt the front four and other units. In the linebacking spots, senior WLB Perry Riley (60 TKLs, 1.5 SKs, 5.5 TFL, 1 INT) will be joined by former safety Harry Coleman (71 TKLs). Coleman gives the unit more athleticism and quickness. Senior corner Chris Hawkins returns as the top pick artist with three interceptions. Three new starters join the secondary with the hope that this unit can show vast improvement over last season.
On special teams, the Tigers welcome back All-American Trindon Holliday who averaged 13.3 yards per punt return and 22.8 yards per kick return. Holliday is always a threat to break one. Junior kicker Josh Jaspers (5- 5 Extra Pts, 2- 2 FG) saw limited action last season. In 2009, he becomes the team’s primary placekicker, replacing the near-perfect Colt David. Junior college transfer Derek Helton, who averaged 36.1 YPP at Fort Scott Community College, will boot the ball for the Tigers.
Head coach Les Miles (42- 11 in four years with LSU) has kept LSU extremely competitive, but last season was a bad one for this team. Their losing conference record included a 21- 27 overtime loss to Alabama and a 30- 31 loss to Arkansas, which was one of the worst teams in the league. The Arkansas contest was LSU’s final regular season game of the 2008 season. But things are looking up for the Tigers in 2009. They’ve managed to recruit an array of in-state and out-of-state stars at skill positions and for the frontline. This season, LSU plays a friendly schedule that includes Washington, Louisiana and Louisiana Tech. This is a team on the rise. They will be in the mix for first place in the West but may fall a tad short. Second in the division looks most likely with the Tigers capturing a middle tier bowl bid.
LSU Tigers Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/5/2009 | LSU | Washington | away | ||||
| 9/12/2009 | LSU | Vanderbilt | home | ||||
| 9/19/2009 | LSU | LA Lafayette | home | ||||
| 9/26/2009 | LSU | Mississippi St. | away | ||||
| 10/3/2009 | LSU | Georgia | away | ||||
| 10/10/2009 | LSU | Florida | home | ||||
| 10/24/2009 | LSU | Auburn | home | ||||
| 10/31/2009 | LSU | Tulane | home | ||||
| 11/7/2009 | LSU | Alabama | away | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | LSU | Louisiana Tech | home | ||||
| 11/21/2009 | LSU | Mississippi | away | ||||
| 11/28/2009 | LSU | Arkansas | home |
For more info on the 2009 LSU Tigers football program, view the Tigers official website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the SEC competition.
