By DAVE MOORMANN
Lindy's Sports
August 11, 2008

- A preseason look at defending BCS national champion LSU.

OFFENSE

The Tigers will employ a revamped offense that has to completely, and perilously, start over at quarterback.

LSU had a comfort zone at quarterback with junior Ryan Perrilloux, but he was kicked off the team in early May. That came after he missed spring practice while serving his third career suspension.

Les Miles and his staff worked diligently in the spring with redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee, and junior Andrew Hatch, a walk-on who attempted two passes last season after transferring from Harvard. It will be a big leap for either to handle the rigors of the SEC.

There is no shortage of experience at running back.

Charles Scott and speedy Keiland Williams (the top returning rusher with 458 yards and six touchdowns) have made the most of their limited opportunities behind the departed Jacob Hester. Richard Murphy culminated his stellar spring with three touchdowns and 145 yards rushing in the spring game.

Enhancing the running game's promise is the return of four starting linemen, most notably Herman Johnson and Ciron Black, who were first-and second-team All-SEC selections, respectively. Center Brett Helms is another all-league candidate.

Junior Brandon LaFell is the top returning wide receiver with 50 catches for 656 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Demetrius Byrd had 35 catches, none more important than his last-second touchdown catch to beat Auburn, and he has a world of talent.

DEFENSE

Highly decorated defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is gone. So, too, is the architect of the defense, Bo Pelini, who left to become Nebraska's head coach.

Miles elevated assistants Bradley Dale Peveto and Doug Mallory to co-coordinators in the hopes of a seamless transition.

Senior tackle Tyson Jackson and senior end Kirston Pittman likely will spearhead a unit that welcomes back five returning starters. Pittman had a team-high eight sacks, while Jackson led the Tigers with 15 quarterback hurries.

Anticipation also runs high because of the return of end Charles Alexander and versatile Ricky Jean-Francois. Alexander missed most of last season with a knee injury. After a 12-game academic suspension, Jean-Francois enjoyed a strong postseason, including a blocked field goal against Ohio State. The sophomore could take over for Glenn Dorsey at tackle, and there is a potentially deep rotation there that includes Al Woods.

The linebacking corps will be without last year's team-leading tackler (Ali Highsmith), but is bolstered by the return of senior Darry Beckwith (65 tackles) in the middle.

Add in the maturation of sophomore free safety Chad Jones, and there is reason to believe LSU can at least come close to last year's performance when it held opponents to a league-leading 288.8 yards per game.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Junior Trindon Holliday has the sprinter's speed to make him a constant threat to return any kickoff all the way. He has two for his career, including one last season.

Senior Colt David is the most permanent fixture of the special teams. He scored an SEC-record 147 points, with a school-record 26 field goals, last season.

OVERVIEW

The Tigers are loaded with ability at most spots -- except quarterback. The offense has playmakers elsewhere throughout the lineup; the defense definitely reloaded. Inexperience at quarterback, combined with a severe road schedule in the first half of the season, will be the biggest impediment to another memorable season.

SCHEDULE

(Home games in CAPS)

Aug. 30 APPALACHIAN STATE

Sept. 6 TROY

Sept. 13 NORTH TEXAS

Sept. 20 at Auburn

Sept. 27 MISSISSIPPI STATE

Oct. 11 at Florida

Oct. 18 at South Carolina

Oct. 25 GEORGIA

Nov. 1 TULANE

Nov. 8 ALABAMA

Nov. 22 OLE MISS

Nov. 28 Arkansas (Little Rock)

(For more college football coverage, visit www.lindysports.com.)