2011 LSU Tigers Gambling Odds | Predictions

2011-2012 Football Previews – Southeast Conference – LSU Tigers

The Tigers are another perennial SEC powerhouse that milks every drop of their in-state football talent.

2011-2012 SEC | LSU Tigers Football Preview
Coach: Les Miles
2010 Record: 11-2
Louisiana State Tigers Gambling Odds from Bodog.eu to win BCS: +1000
Louisiana St. Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>

Being a pipeline for talent-rich regions like Louisiana and Texas, LSU has the athletes to thrive in the SEC and groom for the pros.

Polarizing head coach Miles has extended his deal with the Tigers, after the overtures from Michigan were put to rest.  Miles has a National Title from 2003, but it was won with previous coach Nick Saban’s recruits and Miles has lately gone three years without an SEC West crown. With LSU’s 2011 talent and a lucrative new deal from the university, it’s time for Miles to produce again.

Team Strengths

Louisiana State has a prodigiously talented receiver corps. Junior Reuben Randle is a physical marvel and former QB Russell Shepard is a pure athlete with electric quickness. Highly-touted gems like Chris Tolliver, Kadron Boone and freshman Jarvis Landry provide depth.

Defensively, the Tigers will be characteristically strong. LSU boasts a great tandem of corners with Morris Claiborne and underclassman Tyrann Mathieu. To go along with returning starters Brandon Taylor and Craig Loston at safety, LSU should have a premier secondary. Senior “Will” LB Ryan Baker is an absolute missile.

The experienced O-line will be spearheaded on the interior with junior P.J. Lonergan and seniors Josh Dworaczyk and Will Blackwell.

Team Weaknesses

Not unlike LSU’s divisional rival Alabama, the Tigers have some questions under center. LSU stormed to an 11-2 record last year even with spotty QB play from Jordan Jefferson. Jefferson is a senior in 2011; he has size and athleticism but has never put up the gaudy numbers expected of a good passer. The good news is that 6”5, 250 lb JUCO player Zach Mettenberger (a former Georgia signee) was brought in for the spring to provide an insurance policy.

The special teams should also take a step back with the departure of K Josh Jasper and P Derek Helton. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

2011 LSU Football Prediction: 11-2

LSU fans and boosters have high expectations, and the 2011 edition of the Tigers has the talent and depth not just to make noise in the SEC West, but on the national stage. The play of Jefferson/Mettenberger and some new faces on the defensive line will be crucial to determining the amount of success LSU sees this year.

The Tigers will be a favorite in the vast majority of their games, but they open the season with a game vs. Pac-12 king Oregon in Arlington, TX and must travel to Mississippi State, West Virginia and ’Bama.

It’s true LSU has its usual glut of talent (with more on the way) but unless Jefferson greatly exceeds expectations, it’s hard to picture the Boys from the Bayou leapfrogging Alabama for top dog in the division.

In a division and conference where virtually no one escapes unscathed, however, anything is possible.

2011 LSU Fighting Tigers Schedule

9/3/11 8:00 PM ET ORE
9/10/11 8:00 PM ET NWST
9/15/11 8:00 PM ET @MISST
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET @WVIRG
10/1/11 8:00 PM ET KENTY
10/8/11 8:00 PM ET FLA
10/15/11 12:00 PM ET @TENN
10/22/11 8:00 PM ET AUB
11/5/11 12:00 PM ET @ALAB
11/12/11 8:00 PM ET WKEN
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET @MISS
11/25/11 2:30 PM ET ARK

Click here to check out MORE 2011 college football previews for the 2011-2012 NCAA Football Season!

Steve Janus has more 2011 LSU Football Predictions at Betfirms