After reaching the Southeastern Conference Championship game for the first time in 2001, LSU had a chance to make its second trip to Atlanta in consecutive years last season.
All the Tigers had to do was stop Arkansas from driving 80 yards for a touchdown in the final minute of last year’s regular season finale to reign supreme in the SEC West.
But Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones completed two passes, one for 50 yards and the other for a 30-yard touchdown, as the Razorbacks wrestled away the SEC West Championship in a matter of seconds.
The ending to that game left a bad taste in LSU’s mouth, and is a driving force in LSU’s motivation to make a return trip to Atlanta this season.
“From an on the field standpoint, I was disappointed in the way we finished last year in terms of our ability to overcome adversity,” said LSU coach Nick Saban. “Not going back to the SEC Championship game was obviously a disappointment. We felt like we had good enough football players to do it.”
The goal of leading LSU back to the SEC Championship Game will once again lie on the shoulders of quarterback Matt Mauck, who recorded his best performance as a Tiger last year in LSU’s 36-7 win over Florida before being lost for the season with a foot injury.
Mauck rehabilitated his foot during the off-season and seems primed for a successful return, especially with improved passing skills gained from his concentration on drop back passing in the spring.
“He has done a good job,” offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said of Mauck on August 10. “He’s practicing and hasn’t missed a rep. He hasn’t been full speed but it’s going to take a little time for his body to adjust.”
Mauck will have the protection of what Saban says may be his best offensive line, which returns four starters, and according to Saban, has seven capable lineman to play at any time.
“I think it is the best line we have had in terms of ability, experience
and knowledge,” Saban said. “They are a very smart group of guys who play well together.”
Also at Mauck’s service will be a corps of speedy receivers to toss the ball around to.
Michael Clayton and Devery Henderson return hoping to improve on their combined 80 catches for 1,196 yards and 13 touchdowns. Skyler Green also will hope to make a splash after coming on towards the end of last season and helping the team.
As for freshmen receivers Dwayne Bowe, Craig Davis and Amp Hill, Bowe appears to be the only player in line to contribute his true freshman
season, with Davis and Hill both receiving injuries during fall camp that will affect their chances to play.
Joseph Addai enters the season as the starter at running back, having gained 456 yards on 80 carries last season.
His backups are inexperienced in seldom-used junior Shyrone Carey, and freshmen Justin Vincent, Barrington Edwards and Alley Broussard.
Defensively, coordinator Will Muschamp will depend on his front four to create a pass rush and relieve some pressure on the secondary.
Tackles Chad Lavalais and Bryce Wyatt will man the middle, while Marquise Hill and Marcus Spears will be counted on to create a rush from the edge.
Former safeties Eric Alexander and Adrian Mayes were moved to outside linebacker to give LSU more playmaking ability and speed, while veteran Lionel Turner will man the inside linebacker position after racking up 71 tackles and three sacks last year.
Preseason honor candidate Corey Webster will be joined by Randall Gay at cornerback, while Jack Hunt will start at strong safety with Travis Daniels accompanying him at free safety.