GAME NOTES: The 11th-ranked LSU Tigers kick off their season in unfamiliar territory, as they are set to play their first game on the West Coast in 25 years against the Washington Huskies this weekend at Husky Stadium.

The Tigers last appeared on the West Coast in 1984, when they defeated USC, but that trip wasn't as far as their current 2,550-mile trek for this weekend's opener. LSU brings with it a nation-best 19-game winning streak against non-conference foes that dates back to 2005.

However, after winning the national title in 2007, the Tigers had an expected drop off last season and finished 8-5 under fifth-year head coach Les Miles.

"Certainly, eight victories and a bowl championship is not enough, and our team understands that," said Miles.

All five of the team's losses did come to SEC foes, while the program was perfect against non-league members, including a 38-3 rout of Georgia Tech in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Most of the pieces are now back in place for the Tigers, as they will look to improve to 5-0 in season-openers under Miles.

For Washington, the 2009 campaign brings a fresh start and the beginning of the Steve Sarkisian era. Sarkisian, who previously served as an assistant head coach at USC, inherits a team that went 0-12 a year ago and is currently riding a school-record 14 game losing streak. While a turnaround won't happen overnight, Sarkisian does have some talent to work with and should have the Huskies primed for an improvement in 2009.

The only previous meeting between LSU and Washington on the gridiron took place in 1983, with the Tigers scoring a 41-14 victory in Baton Rouge.

The Tigers used three freshman quarterbacks a year ago, but this season, the job is Jordan Jefferson's to lose. In a limited role that included two starts last season, Jefferson threw for 419 yards and four touchdowns and he should be able to build off that with more playing time.

The return of Brandon LaFell, who flirted with the NFL, gives Jefferson a reliable target. Last season, LaFell pulled in 63 balls for 929 yards and eight scores and he figures to be the team's top threat once again.

In the backfield, LSU returns another talent in Charles Scott, along with 92.7 percent of the team's rushing attack. Scott rushed for 1,174 yards behind a 5.4 yard per carry average last season and he showed a real nose for the end zone, scoring 18 times.

"I think anytime you can count on the running game and count on being able to hand the ball off and get yards, and put yourself in a down and distance that favors both the run and pass, it helps any offense," said Miles about the importance of the ground attack. "Hopefully that running attack will be a very efficient one and lead us to third-and-shorts."

The offensive line welcomes back three starters from a unit that paved the way for 166.8 rushing ypg last season, so expect more of the same success in 2009.

LSU lacked consistency and wasn't all that effective on defense last season, but there is enough returning talent to turn things around this year. John Chavis now steps in as the new defensive coordinator and he brings a good deal of intensity to this unit.

Up front, Rahim Alem is clearly the top returnee and despite starting just one game in 2008, the talented end still led the Tigers with eight sacks and 11.5 TFLs. He has the ability to dominate and is a big reason why the this unit should be vastly improved this season.

The linebackers are solid, but there are no stars in the unit. Perry Riley is the most decorated of the group and he is coming off a 60-tackle season.

The Tigers gave up 215.4 ypg through the air last season with only eight interceptions, so the secondary is going to need to step up. The group returns nearly intact, with free safety Chad Jones (50 stops) and corner Patrick Peterson (41 tackles) displaying the biggest upside.

"We are putting in new blitz packages every day, so we are going to be a much more aggressive defense this year," stated Jones.

The Huskies never really had a shot after losing do-it all quarterback Jake Locker to a season-ending thumb injury early last year, but his return does bring hope for a major turnaround in 2009. The Pac-10's Freshman of the Year in 2007, Locker can beat opposing teams with his arm or legs, throwing for over 2,000 yards and rushing for nearly 1,000 more during his rookie campaign.

"It was hard to sit and watch last year. Getting the opportunity to play again and be on the field with the rest of the guys, it's something that I'm really looking forward to," said Locker.

Locker will have some weapons at his disposal, as the team's top three wideouts from a year ago are all welcomed back. D'Andre Goodwin heads the group after leading the team with 60 catches and 692 yards in 2008.

Washington's ground game was completely ineffective last season, but the team is hoping Chris Polk can provide a spark. The redshirt freshman appeared in a couple of games last season and he probably won't be expected to shoulder the entire load considering his lack of experience.

Three starters return along the offensive line, although this group still needs to prove it can be effective.

Washington welcomes back the services of 10 starters on defense and that should help this unit improve dramatically after giving up 38.6 ppg and 451.8 total ypg in 2008.

The front line should be strong with all four starters back in the mix, including defensive end Daniel Te'o-Nesheim. A four-year starter, Te'o- Nesheim was one of the few bright spot for the Huskies last season, finishing with 66 stops, eight sacks and 11.5 TFLs.

While the defensive line looks strong, the heart and soul of this unit will be the linebacking corps, which brings back the team's leading tackler from 2008 in Mason Foster (105 tackles and 11 TFLs). The team also gets back E.J. Savannah, who sat out last season, but has a tremendous talent after racking up a team-high 111 tackles in 2007.

In the defensive backfield, cornerback Quinton Richardson (seven PBUs) and safety Nate Williams (76 tackles) will lead a young group that must avoid letting up big plays.

Washington should be vastly improved from a year ago and it could give fits to LSU, which is traveling a long distance. Still, the Tigers should be able to pound the ball successfully on the ground, while their defense creates turnovers to lock up the win.