For the next few weeks our very own Jordan Lauterbach will be previewing the upcoming 2009 College Football season. Each day, he will be posting a new preview so be sure to check in everyday.

Last Season: 8-5, Beat Georgia Tech in Chick-fill-A bowl

Coaches Poll: 9

What was most surprising about LSU’s Chick-fill-A bowl victory was that they only allowed three points. The victory signaled the beginning of what was a major change on the defensive side of the ball in Baton Rouge. The ’08 Tigers were one of the worst defensive teams in recent school history. They allowed over 325 yards per game and surrendered at least 30 points five times.

At some points, opponents blasted that number.

Florida put up a 51 spot. Georgia a 52. Even Troy got into the high scoring act, notching 31 on LSU. And Troy was 6-5!

The main goal of the offseason was getting the defense back on the right track. While it may not be a top ten defense yet, LSU has begun the long road back to defensive respectability.

The unit returns six starters, but it appears to be the correct three. All three of its leading tacklers are back for another go. Harry Coleman led the team with 71 tackles. Kelvin Sheppard had 64. Chick- fill-A bowl MVP Perry Riley had 60. Expect a bigger year from Riley this year. His 11 tackles in the bowl game may be a sign of good things to come.

The case of Coleman is an interesting one. Last season he led the team in tackles at the strong safety position. This year he moves to linebacker. The LSU coaching staff is confident that he will thrive at linebacker. The secondary has enough depth that it is not expected to miss a beat. Whether Coleman makes a smooth transition will be key to whether this defense improves.

The move could be a slam dunk. Moving your best defensive player to a position that struggled last year sounds like a genius move. But it also has two potential backfiring scenarios. One, the transition could diminish Coleman’s productivity. Two, the secondary could struggle in coverage if Coleman has another assignment. LSU is banking that neither of these possibilities will become a reality. It’s a gamble, but one that they thought they had to take.

But it wasn’t only the tacking that caused defensive problems last year. LSU’s secondary was incredibly poor, grabbing only eight interceptions. From that group, safety Chad Jones is the most notable returnee. Also keep an eye out for Craig Loston.

A new defensive line coach leads a unit that should also have a better year. Brick Haley is a former NFL coach who brings a new attitude and energy to Batton Rouge.

In fact, that’s the bottom line with the entire defense. Will a “new attitude” and “tougher approach” translate into results? Sure, it looks good on paper. But you don’t give up 52 points of Georgia on paper.

Offensively, LSU is banking on quarterback Jordan Jefferson limiting the mistakes that Jarrett Lee was famous for last season. Jefferson was a late season replacement for Lee and preformed well. He engineered an offense explosion in the bowl game and looks to continue more of the same this year.

The one question mark with Jefferson is consistency. In the limited action he saw last year, Jefferson completed under 50% percent of his passes and threw four touchdowns and one interception. He obviously has tremendous potential, but so does everyone at this level. If he can harness that potential into consistency, then he’ll be in good shape. Consistency is what the Tigers have lacked since Jamarcus Russell left.

Jefferson certainly has weapons. Brandon LaFell returns for his senior season after a year in which he caught 63 passes and 8 touchdowns. Tight end Richard Dickerson (Why isn’t this guy calling himself Dick Dickerson? That would easily be the best name in sports) caught 31 balls for 324 yards and five touchdowns last year. Receiver Rueben Randle is also immensely talented.

This, and the return of the SEC’s leading rusher Charles Scott, makes the LSU offense dangerous. Jordan Jefferson won’t be asked to do anything radical. He’ll only be asked to keep the football away from the other team. If he does that, I think you’ll see significant improvement on that 3 conference win year in 2008.

3 Games To Watch

October 3- @ Georgia- This game starts a dangerous stretch that sees the Tigers play four SEC teams that figure to contend in seven weeks. A win here to start that stretch off well would be huge.

November 7th- @ Alabama- I think Alabama will be very beatable this year, but that doesn’t mean they will be push-overs. A loss here could put a disastrous crimp in any hopes to compete in the SEC down the stretch.

November 21st- @ Ole Miss- Besides playing Florida on October 10th, this is the Tigers toughest game. Ole Miss is going to be incredibly improved and will be this year’s Alabama.