LSU Tigers
It’s hard to call a team mediocre that is coming off an 11-2 season, but LSU is more of a powerhouse program than a powerhouse team.

Perhaps the biggest reason LSU has struggled over the past three seasons (28-11) is their quarterback Jordan Jefferson. The senior quarterback has spent the majority of his career looking confused, making safe check downs and drawing the ire of the faithful in Baton Rouge.

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If LSU is going to win the SEC, they are going to need Jefferson to play like he did in the Cotton Bowl vs. Texas A&M. In arguably his best game of his career, Jefferson made the LSU offense look potent while throwing for 158 yards and accounting for three touchdowns. If Jefferson does slip, new offensive quarterback could call upon junior college transfer Zach Mattenberger to change the pace. The biggest improvement for LSU this year should be Steve Kragthrope coaching quarterbacks. While he flailed as a head coach at Louisville, Kragthrope is a proven offensive mind with produced some of the most innovative offenses in the last ten years. He was originally hired as offensive coordinator, but due to some health complications was replaced by Greg Studrawa. While Kragthorpe isn't the man in control, he remains on staff and his presenece will help. With the amount of talent at his disposal, LSU might finally employ a high octane offense that showcases their talent. This would certainly help their changes earning college football expert picks this season.

SEC Title Hopes
LSU is one of the two teams I like in the SEC West. They have fewer variables than Alabama and play Arkansas (and Florida) at home. The Mississippi schools are not a threat and they will be at least a touchdown favorite at Tennessee.

The best bet on LSU though is to win the SEC West at odds of +200. In a conference as tough as the SEC, you want to try to win your money in as few games as possible. The extra game that the conference championship game is an unnecessary hurdle. I like LSU to win the SEC West at 2-to-1, but please read about Arkansas before making your decision.

Worth a BCS Title Future?
Even at +1500, I am passing on LSU here for this pick. Just writing the above paragraph’s remind me of what a brutal conference schedule they have and I didn’t even mention that they play Oregon (neutral site) and travel to West Virginia. I don’t see LSU finishing the season with less than two-losses and that won’t be enough to play for the BCS’s Crystal Ball.

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