College Football Top 25 projections after 2018 spring practices
By Zach Bigalke
Once again in Baton Rouge, quarterback is unlikely to be a point of strength. In the spring game, the slew of passers on the roster all failed to create separation in the race to earn the starting position. But LSU has succeeded in the past despite the lack of an elite quarterback, and the talent is there in the receiving corps to bolster the fortunes of whoever emerges in the race to start.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire looks ready to burst out as the next great Tigers running back. The coaching staff is going to try to get the ball to dynamic receiver Justin Jefferson as much as possible. And the defense should remain as formidable as ever, after finishing 2017 as a top-15 unit in the country.
The Tigers open the season against Miami, affording a marquee non-conference opportunity to consolidate position in the AP Top 25. The game will feature one of the matchups between ranked teams that pepper the Labor Day weekend schedule. Though they are an underdog in the SEC West, LSU will still get tabbed by the pollsters somewhere in the high teens or low 20s this preseason.