AU FOOTBALL 2009 OPPONENT PREVIEWS: Bayou Bengals stronger at quarterback

Editor’s Note: This is the eighth in a series previewing Auburn’s 2009 football opponents. This week: LSU (Oct. 24). The series will run weekly.

Think of last year’s version of LSU as a mirror image of Auburn’s, but with just a tad more success from its two fledgling quarterbacks.

And think of this year’s in the same train of thought, only the Bengal Tigers have been quicker to find a supposed answer to that problem — their most glaring weakness from a year ago.

Rising sophomore Jordan Jefferson started the final two games of LSU’s disappointing 2008 season and was a rip-roaring success. So much so that Les Miles has all but anointed the mobile quarterback as his guy for 2009.

Jefferson went 1-1 in his two starts, but it’s tough to fault him for the loss. LSU racked up 30 points in a 1-point loss to Arkansas before dismantling Georgia Tech, 38-3, in the Chik-fil-A Bowl.

He accounted for two touchdowns and more than 200 all-purpose yards against the Hogs before his MVP performance against Tech, which gave LSU plenty of positive momentum heading into a season where it believes it can reclaim the West.

“It’s nice to see a quarterback step under center and have the opportunity to make throws, pick up big third downs and move the football,” LSU coach Les Miles told his school’s official Web site.

He forgot to mention Jefferson’s knack for only completing passes to players on his own team.

Jefferson did not throw an interception in his two starts in 2008 and was pick-free again in LSU’s spring game, when he completed 8-of-10 passes for 97 yards. Jarrett Lee, who started eight games at quarterback last season, tossed 16 interceptions — seven of which were returned for touchdowns.

“We certainly have had greater quarterback play than we had last fall,” Miles told USA Today. “I believe that’s happened. I believe our quarterbacks are going to play with more confidence and give us ability there.“

An offseason under Jefferson’s belt shouldn’t hurt, either.

“This year I understand the playbook more and I’m able to bring more to the table than last year,” Jefferson told USA Today. “I had a couple improvements that I worked on.“

There will be no need for improvement at running back for LSU. The same ole’, same ole’ will do just fine if Charles Scott performs at the same level. The bruising, 233-pound tailback led the SEC last season with 18 rushing touchdowns and averaged 90.3 yards per game — good for fourth in the conference.

The line of blockers in front of him is largely yet to be determined, though, as Miles has holes to fill at left guard and center. His 262-pound lead blocker, fullback Quinn Johnson, is also gone.

The Bengal Tigers lose even more starters on a defense that, like Auburn, dealt with consistency issues near the end of the season.

The biggest loss is defensive end Tyson Jackson, who went third overall in the 2009 NFL Draft to Kansas City. That loss will be compounded by the fact that Kirston Pittman and Marlon Favorite are also gone from the line.

Rahim Alem, who started just one game but ended the 2008 season with eight sacks, figures to be poised for a breakout season.

Miles tinkered a bit during the spring with his defensive regulars, moving Harry Coleman, who led LSU with 71 tackles as a safety in 2008, to SAM linebacker. The move appears to be permanent, according to USA Today.

The reason? Everyone, including Auburn, is spreading it out.

“He’s a very physical guy who will enjoy playing up front,” Miles told the newspaper. “He can tackle and we need an extra linebacker-type of body with all of the spread offenses we’re going to see.“

That, of course, leaves openings at both safety positions because full safety Curtis Taylor graduated.

Miles will have a month in the fall to figure that out.

“I think in the spring we made key advances in significant areas,” Miles told USA Today. “We’re not ready to play a game just yet, but we’re well under way.“

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