LSU was picked to finish fifth in the SEC in the Preseason Media Poll behind Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. Many national media members have said it’s national championship or bust for LSU and first-year head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin says those types of expectations are why he came to LSU.
“A team coming off a 7-6 season; and then the expectations that everybody in the media has that we’re supposed to be this great team right away. That’s an awesome challenge. You want to talk about getting uncomfortable? That does it,” Kiffin said.
The Tigers have a tough nine-game SEC schedule for the first time ever this season. The conference added the game for its latest TV deal and to boost strength of schedule, but Kiffin said it will do more harm than good.
“I was against it, because I think what you’re going to have is more conference losses, and you don’t prove anything. If we keep playing each other, we don’t prove that we’re better than anybody else,” Kiffin explained.
LSU has key games with Ole Miss, Texas A-and-M, Alabama, Texas and Tennessee this season. The Tigers’ defense will be put to the test against the fast-paced offenses of the Volunteers, Rebels, Auburn and Mississippi State this year. Linebacker Whit Weeks says going against Kiffin’s Tigers’ offense is a big help.
“If you look forward to our schedule, we play four of the fastest offenses in the country, outside of our own offense. It’s tough playing tempo teams, and we get to see that every single day at practice. And at practice, you don’t have refs spotting the ball, so it goes even faster than a game,” Weeks said.
LSU landed nine players on the preseason All-SEC team. Tight end Trey’Dez Green, tackle Jordan Seaton, edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen, linebacker Whit Weeks and punter Grant Chadwick are on the first team. Cornerback DJ Pickett and safety Ty Benefield made the second team, and center Braelin Moore and linebacker TJ Dottery are on the third team.
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