LSU Tigers - 2021 NCAA Football Season Preview & Win Total Predictions

The LSU Tigers are two years removed from a National Championship and looking to bounce back from a 5-5 campaign in 2020. Head coach Ed Orgeron still has a potent offense in Baton Rouge. The Tigers finished in the top 40 in total offense (434 ypg) and scored 32 points per contest. The biggest question mark coming into 2021 is deciding who will start at QB between senior Myles Brennan and sophomore Max Johnson.

Running backs Tyrion Davis-Price and John Emery (824 combined rushing yards) return to lead a talented backfield. Leading WR Kayshon Boutte (735 yds) is also back and finished the season by setting an SEC record with 308 receiving yards against Ole Miss.

For LSU to return to challenge for a College Football Playoff spot, they will have to improve drastically on a defense that ranked last in the nation in passing defense (323 ypg). The Tigers fired defensive coordinator Bo Pelini and replaced him with Daronte Jones, who last served as the Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach. Jones has arguably the best defensive player in college football to work with in CB Derek Stingley Jr.

The Tigers feel good about a defensive line that returns four senior starters, including Andre Anthony, who led the team with 5.5 sacks. Senior LB Damone Clark (63 tackles) and Clemson transfer Mike Jones are both big-time playmakers.