Camp Opens: March 1
Spring Game: March 31
What can you say about the LSU Tigers that hasn’t already been said? For a team which dominated the 2011 regular season like few in recent college football history, the end of the year left a pretty sour taste in the mouths of everyone around the LSU program. In the BCS title game Alabama was simply better than the Tigers in every way a football can be.
But while last season ended with a thud, 2012 could provide a bit of a rebirth for the LSU program. The Tigers return as much front-end talent as anyone in college football, are comfortable SEC favorites, and should start the season no lower than No. 2 in all the major polls. As much as things change, they stay the same at LSU. Huh?
Also remember that during last season’s surprising 13-1 season, Les Miles continued to harp that his program was actually built to win a title in 2012, not 2011. Now, it’s time to prove it.
Stability Factor (1= Chaos; 5= Rock Solid): 4.5
Simply put, it’s hard to find a team in college football with more stability entering the spring than the Tigers. There was no major turnover on the staff (although defensive backs coach Ron Cooper did leave to join Greg Schiano in Tampa Bay), there have been no dustups with the NCAA, and other than Gunner Kiel-gate (and to a smaller degree Toshiro Davis’ de-commitment), all went well on Signing Day.
Not to mention that when it comes to stability, virtually every position group on the roster is deep, talented and experienced. Every position that is except…
Under The Microscope: Zach Mettenberger
It’s hard to think of a guy who has a more complex job this spring than new LSU starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger.
Unlike other big name quarterbacks around college football (Landry Jones, Matt Barkley, Aaron Murray), Mettenberger doesn’t have the pressure to be the guy for his team; LSU’s success in 2012 hinges much more on their running game and defense. And unlike the new quarterbacks at Stanford, Baylor and Oklahoma State, Mettenberger isn’t replacing an elite quarterback; heck he’s barely replacing an adequate one. Sorry Jordan Jefferson, you’re my guy. But my 13-year-old niece throws a tighter spiral than you do.
But back to Mettenberger, because the pressure he does have is unique almost entirely to him: He’s got the expectation to lead LSU to a win in every single game he starts.
That’s right, because no matter what you want to say about Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee (and believe us, we’ve said it all) to the credit of those two, they combined to beat every team placed in front of them on LSU’s ride to the BCS title game. And in Baton Rouge, people expect Mettenberger to do likewise in 2012.
For the new starting quarterback at LSU, an 11-1 record simply won’t be good enough in his first year under center. A 10-2 record will be considered an abject failure. It’s safe to say the pressure is on.
Welcome to the big show, kid.
Locked and Loaded: Running Back
The easy choice here would have to be the secondary, right? After all, I’m guessing you’ve heard of Tyrann Mathieu, Eric Reid and Tharold Simon.
However, I’ll instead go with the running backs. For a team which averaged over 200 yards per game on the ground per game last year, incredibly all four of LSU’s top running backs return. Those four (Michael Ford, Alfred Blue, Kenny Hilliard and Spencer Ware) combined for a staggering 2,338 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2011, and will all be back this spring hungry, and looking to separate themselves.
Truth be told, any of those four could start for virtually any team in the country.
Jockeying For Position: Linebacker
Besides quarterback, the one place where LSU will most need new guys to step up is at linebacker. Stefoin Francois, Ryan Baker and Karnell Hatcher are all gone off last year’s team.
Luckily, if there’s one thing that LSU never seems to lack, it’s big, athletic, playmakers ready to step in and make an immediate impact. At linebacker, in addition to returnee Kevin Minter (who returns after making 10 starts last year), look for back-ups Tahj Jones and Lamin Barrow to move into the starting lineup.
Name To Know: Odell Beckham
For those who watched LSU closely last season, Beckham’s name is is probably one you’re familiar with. He finished second on the team with 41 catches, and had two touchdown grabs as well.
But while those stats were nice in 2011, he’ll simply need to be better in 2012. With Rueben Randle gone to the pros, and Russell Sheppard a perennially underachieving senior, the onus will fall on Beckham to be Mettenberger’s big play threat.
Spring Will Be A Success If…: Everybody Stays Healthy…And Happy
When a team returns this much talent and experience, the biggest goal in the spring should be to get everyone reps, and keep everyone healthy. That’s it. And as long as LSU can do that, this spring should be viewed as a success.
One thing to consider though, is will everyone be happy?
We heard rumors of strife in the Tigers locker room late last season, and with so much depth at so many positions, reps may be few and far between for a lot of guys who think they’re deserving. Remember, last year LSU was young across the board and played most of the season with a “happy to be there” and “do whatever it takes to win” attitude. With everyone now a year older, will they all be so carefree if their number isn’t called? Will all those running backs be ok with splitting reps? Will Sheppard- a former five-star recruit- be happy getting overtaken by Beckham on the depth chart?
It’s not often that “having too much talent” becomes an issue for a college football team. But if ever there was an interesting case study, the 2012 LSU Tigers might be it.
For all his opinion, insight and analysis on college football and beyond, please follow Aaron on Twitter @Aaron_Torres.
