After four straight 10-win seasons, LSU slid down to the middle of the road in the SEC West last year as two Mississippi schools made their rise.
LSU's 8-5 campaign was marked by bouts of frustration and promise on both sides of the ball—this was a program that dropped its first two SEC games but later knocked off a previously unbeaten Ole Miss team at home.
While the Tigers lost several defensive talents to the next level, most of the offense returns for what hopes to be a much better season in Baton Rouge. The biggest question at the most important role on the team will hang over Death Valley early in the season, but better performance could truly unlock the superstar talent at the skill positions.