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LSU Tigers 2008 Odds - LSU Odds to Win 2009 BCS Championship
Ranked number 6 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, the LSU Tigers odds to win the 2009 BCS Championship don't necessarily reflect this honor. After all, the Florida Gators were only ranked one ahead of LSU and sat with odds of +650. The Missouri Tigers were ranked next after LUS with odds of +1500 to win the 2009 BCS Championship.
West Virginia - ranked number 8 overall - had better odds than LSU at +1500. Keep digging deeper and we find the Texas Longhorns - ranked 10 - had odds of +1200. Clemson was ranked number 9 with slightly longer odds than that of LSU at +2000.
All these odds were courtesy of SBG Global. The bottom line is that they don't think too highly of LSU's chances. But why?
USAToday offered the following team briefing:
Points: 1,163 (3). Final 2007 rank: 1. Outlook: Defending national champ lost stalwarts from the title squad then had Ryan Perrilloux, the heir apparent at quarterback, thrown off the team. Inexperienced Jarrett Lee and Andrew Hatch battle for that spot. WRs Brandon LaFell and Demetrius Byrd return with RB Keiland Williams. Defense should be strong, especially with Des Kirston Pittman and Tyson Jackson back. Opens: Aug. 30 vs. Appalachian State (ESPN, 5).
Athlon might have an explanation as to why there isn't much love here:
What's next for LSU? With a rocky SEC road slate and major holes at a few positions, it's hard to imagine the Tigers delivering another title after the 2007 national championship season.
How can LSU come anywhere close to duplicating an SEC championship campaign that was the impetus to a spot in the BCS National Championship Game? A better offense might be a good place to start. Although the Tigers will work with an untested quarterback, they have a veteran offensive line and are stacked at running back and wide receiver. LSU also has one of the country's top tight ends in Richard Dickson. LSU generated 439.4 total yards and 38.6 points per game last season and may need to increase those numbers with a potentially wobbly defense that must replace All-America nosetackle Glenn Dorsey, two linebackers and both corners.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle in the way of this team's success is the quarterback situation. Ryan Perrilloux, who starred in LSU's SEC Championship Game victory over Tennessee, was kicked off the team in early May for repeated violations of team rules. His ultimate replacements are big question marks.
By the way, LSU gets very little attention when it comes to their odds of winning the SEC Conference either. Here they are listed with odds that are longer than three other teams including Auburn (+250), Florida (+200) and Georgia (+200).
Odds to win the 2008 SEC Conference were as follows and courtesy of SBG Global
ALABAMA +650
ARKANSAS +5000
AUBURN +250
FLORIDA +200
GEORGIA +200
KENTUCKY +4000
LSU NA +400
MISSISSIPPI +6500
MISSISSIPPI STATE +3000
SOUTH CAROLINA +1200
TENNESSEE +800
