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College Football Preview: Tigers clawing for SEC respect

John Benson

by John Benson in News

Updated Jan 17, 2018 · 9:40 AM PST

Last season the LSU Tigers (10-3, 5-3 SEC) were lackluster against in-conference opponents, which Coach Les Miles disputes is a product of sending quality players into the NFL

He said, “There’s a responsibility that the coaching staff has to see a void that will potentially occur and we have to recruit to that void. We have to make sure that our style of recruiting is the style of recruiting that we get an athlete that has a want to be something special, then that guy steps in and plays as a true freshman. Although not optimal, it’s certainly something we’ve done.”

The good news is as a team the Tigers have 14 returning starters; however, those who left for the NFL include quarterback Zach Mettenberger, running back Jeremy Hill and wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry.

On the offense, the quarterback battle continues between freshman Brandon Harris and sophomore Anthony Jennings; however, expectations are high regarding the running game with Leonard Fournette joining Kenny Hilliard and Terrance Magee.

The Tigers on defense are a bit of a question mark. The hope is defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Jermauria Rasco rise up and stop the top SEC offensive talent.

The margin of error between playing for a bowl game and a national championship coming out of the SEC is so small, but LSU could surprise some folks and make a big to be a part of the first ever College Football Playoff.

ODDS to win the National Championship: 25/1

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