Campus Confidential

By Adam Abramson

On paper, LSU can trade blows with any team in the country, but there will be a few questions when September rolls around that keeps LSU from being No. 1 or 2 on the list.

For starters, the No. 1 overall pick is now an Oakland Raider. JaMarcus Russell is nothing but a memory and the subject of many great Baton Rouge tales I'll hear when I'm there on September 8. Matt Flynn is this year's BMOC (big man on campus) and I think he'll do just fine at the position. However, while I can't speak for everyone, I think the hopes might be a little high for Flynn -- he's started one game. Yeah it was the Peach Bowl against Miami and he led the Tigers to a runaway win, but that was two years ago. I don't think it's fair to take one game and expect 12-13 repeat performances from the guy.

I like Flynn's chances to succeed this year because he's throwing to Early Doucet, one of the best targets in the country. I'd feel much better about those chances if the Tigers didn't lose two first-round picks at receiver, but that's how it goes. Sophomore Brandon LaFell has some big shoes to fill and he only has five catches of experience. Put it this way, on the depth chart behind Doucet is a combined eight receptions. However, you have to think one of the young guys is going to explode this year and help matters, given LSU's track record of producing phenomenal receivers. Just as a side note, I read on Monday that Les Miles will reinstate Ryan Perrilloux on Aug. 1 -- he'll be Flynn's backup this year.

I was actually down in Baton Rouge in June and was talking to some LSU alum and asked "So, who's carrying the ball this year." Every time, I was returned with a very confused, uneasy look. Well, last year it was running back by committee, with no player eclipsing the century mark in carries, but I expect more stability this year. Keiland Williams will be the featured back with Jacob Hester often lining up with him. Hester brings a ton of versatility to the backfield and is the key cog that makes it all go -- think former Rutgers back Brian Leonard. Last year, while starting seven games at fullback, he led the team in yards and carries while catching 35 passes and picked up 9 total touchdowns. At minimum, LSU needs these numbers from him this year. And Williams should get at least 165 carries.

Up front, the Tigers are strong enough to put Flynn on their backs and carry him to at least a 10-win season. Brett Helms, Ciron Black and Will Arnold anchor a unit that you shouldn't hear much about, which is always a great sign for an OL.

The Tigers will go as the defense does. Nobody should be able to run on that LSU front seven, that includes six returners. The pair of Texas defensive tackles I talked about yesterday could only be bested by LSU's tandem of Glenn Dorsey and Charles Alexander. Dorsey might be one of the best players in all of college football, and definitely the most athletic 300-pounder on the block. Alexander has enough talent to earn every start this year, but so does Marlon Favorite, so that tandem I just mentioned, we'll call it a trio.
The video has explicit lyrics, but whoever put it together did an awesome job. I might watch this every day until college football starts.

It's scary to think that this year's linebacking unit will be better than last years, but that should be the expectation as Ali Highsmith, Luke Sanders and Darry Beckwith all return with a year of playing together. If Dorsey actually lets running backs get beyond the line of scrimmage now and again, I wouldn't be surprised to see the trio turn in over 225-235 tackles this year. That's extreme production.

In the backfield, LaRon Landry (another Top 10 pick) is gone and safety Curtis Taylor is asked to replace college football's premier safety. While that's not exactly easy, Taylor had a spring that left the coaches raving and the fans optimistic. Taylor won't have to do it all on his own, though. Chevis Jackson, Jonathan Zenon and Craig Steltz are all top-notch defenders. And keep an eye on redshirt freshman Jai Eugene, he's one of those guys who was born to lock down receivers.

LSU will again have a Top 3 defense, which it has had since the 2003 season. Not too shabby.

Player I would shred you with on NCAA Football 2008: Glenn Dorsey

80s theme song: "Eye of The Tiger" - Survivor (1982) … No explanation necessary.

Save this date: September 8 vs. Virginia Tech … If LSU wants to reach the title game, a win here goes a long way.