Know the Opponent: LSU Tigers
By Mike Vamosi
Our last team in our know the opponent series are the LSU Tigers who went 13-0 until losing their final game to Alabama in the BCS Championship game. They’ll host the Washington Huskies on September 8 with kickoff at 4 pm on ESPN.
Junior Zach Mettenberger will get the keys to the offense from head coach Les Miles this coming season. In limited action Mettenberger threw for 92 yards on 8-of-11 passing which included one touchdown pass.
The Tigers have their top four leading rushers from a year ago back this season which include a pair of 700 yard backs who are a pair of juniors. Michael Ford had 756 yards reaching the endzone seven times, Spencer Ware had had 707 on the ground with right scores.
LSU’s passing game will be interesting with their leading receiver having left Baton Rouge meaning someone will have to step up. Junior Odell Beckman has the most returning yards with 475 and two touchdowns in 2011. Senior Russell Shepard is another guy to keep an eye on he caught four touchdowns last year racking up 190 yards.
Losing Tyrann Mathieu aka the Honey Badger, who won’t be playing this season after being suspended from the team. The Tigers should be stacked on defense to work around his absence to the team. Senior free safety Eric Reid tied for the team lead in tackles with 76 he also had two interceptions.
Expect LSU to be in the thick of the conference and national title race this coming season. The Tigers also play on four times on the road (at Auburn, Florida, Texas A&M and Arkansas) and get South Carolina then Alabama at Tiger Stadium for the anticipated rematch (depending on who you are).
2012 LSU Tigers Schedule –
North Texas 9/1
Washington 9/8
Idaho 9/15
@Auburn 9/22
Towson 9/29
@Florida 10/6
South Carolina 10/13
@Texas A&M 10/20
Alabama 11/3
Mississippi State 11/10
Mississippi 11/17
@Arkansas 11/23
Make sure that you like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @Autzen_Zoo and @MikeVmos