Outlook: Smitten by a horse story, Nick Saban stood up at SEC Media Days and said he wanted his LSU team to emulate the heart and character of Seabiscuit. But when asked whether he'd take his team to the movie as inspiration, Saban sounded dubious. "Players only want to see something blowing up every five minutes," the coach said. Last year blew up on the Tigers in the second half of the season, with less-than-special effects. After climbing as high as No. 10 in the rankings and standing 6-1, they lost four of their last six -- and the two wins were by a total of four points, including the fluke-miracle job at Kentucky. Injuries, and corresponding offensive struggles, undid a promising season. This time around, LSU believes it has the skill and the will -- thank you, Seabiscuit -- to finish the job this year. If somebody -- maybe a few somebodies -- steps forward to run the football and if efficient quarterback Matt Mauck picks up where he left off before a season-ending foot injury, the offense will be fine. Mauck had turned the corner before being hurt at midseason, finishing his season with 88 straight passes without an interception. After he went out, a wilting pass attack wound up 91st in the nation in pass efficiency despite 16 TD passes and only eight interceptions. The problem was a miserable completion percentage (48 percent) and less than 2,000 passing yards. Provided that Mauck and backup Marcus Randall hold up, there are plenty of people to throw to, and they certainly should have the time to throw. Saban has labeled this veteran offensive line the best in his four-year LSU tenure, and last year's group allowed the fewest sacks in the league. On defense, the Tigers will miss heart-and-soul linebacker Bradie James. But the defensive line will be a strength with juniors Chad Lavalais, Marquise Hill and Marcus Spears. Cornerback Corey Webster, who led the SEC last year with seven interceptions, anchors a senior-laden secondary that helped LSU hold opposing pass offenses to just 152.7 yards per game, second-best in the nation. The Tigers will be hard-pressed to emulate last season's special-teams excellence. They were in the top 20 nationally in kickoff returns, punt returns and net punting, and led the SEC in kickoff coverage. Punter Donnie Jones is back, but return ace Domanick Davis and place-kicker John Corbello are not. Saban almost wasn't around to see this season after a scary summer accident, hitting his head on a dock and waking up eight feed underwater. He survived and came back talking about Seabiscuit. Now he'd love to see his team upset the War Admiral of the West, Auburn. Keep an eye on: The freshmen. Saban recruited a class ranked as high as No. 1 by some analysts, and some those guys will play right away. The safety tandem of Daryl Johnson and LaRon Landry has made the most noise, forcing their way onto the two-deep in almost no time. Wide receiver Amp Hill was impressive before a knee injury clouded his availability for the Aug.30 opener against Louisiana-Monroe. Running backs Alley Broussard and Barrington Edwards may get a shot, since that position is unsettled. And quarterback JaMarcus Russell could be a factor if injuries again strike at the most important position. Even if the Tigers don't need all those guys to perform this season, the future is fabulously bright. Key game: Auburn at LSU, Oct. 25. If things go as expected, the Western Division title -- and perhaps kingpin-of-the-SEC status -- could be on the line. It would be an excellent time for Tiger Stadium mystique to be in full effect. Auburn has won three of the last four, all of them routs. (Honorable mention for key game goes to the Sept. 20 home game against Georgia. Pull the upset and LSU should be 5-0 going up against Florida and possibly 7-0 when Auburn visits.) It's a good year if. . .: Given the recruiting, Saban is close to accomplishing one of the most difficult tasks in all of college football: putting it on autopilot in the SEC. A fourth straight season of eight or more wins -- surprisingly not accomplished on the bayou since 1985-88 -- would set it up, and that should happen this year. Eight home games is a major bonus, and all four road games appear winnable (Arizona, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Alabama). If the running backs, quarterback and special teams perform, the schedule is there for a significant run up the polls. "including the fluke-miracle job at Kentucky. " That pisses me off so bad that they would say that! even after that play made highlights on the channel for months and many more to come and made the play of the year! And saying we model after a horse, seems like they are saying it like they are disgusted!!!JUST MAKES ME MAD!
When did the Old Miss game get moved to Baton Rouge:dis:. You'd think ESPN would hire people that would actually do enough research to get our schedule right.
"War Admiral of the West, Auburn." Man that's got a nice ring to it! What? Why do you think it made play of the year...because it was a fluke-miracle!!
