LSU at a glance

LAST SEASON 10-3, 6-2 (tied for seconnd) in SEC West COACH Les Miles (85-21 in eight seasons at LSU, 113-42 in 12 seasons overall) RETURN STARTERS 8 offense, 3 defense KEY PLAYERS QB Zach Mettenberger, RB Alfred Blue, LB Lamin Barrow, SS Craig Loston SEC TITLE SCENARIO LSU could be a surprise contender for the SEC title if Mettenberger has a big senior season and the defense gets a lift from several new, but talented starters. It should be helpful the Tigers have open dates before playing Alabama and Texas A&M.

SCHEDULE OPPONENT TCU^ Alabama-Birmingham Kent State Auburn at Georgia at Mississippi State Florida at Ole Miss Furman at Alabama Texas A&M* ArkansasDATE Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 9 Nov. 23 Nov. 29^at Arlington, Texas SEC game one vote to win the conference’s overall title.

“I think everybody enjoys being the underdog,” Mettenberger said. “It gives you extra incentive to practice harder and play harder.

“We’re a team that could care less what the rankings are, especially in the preseason. It means absolutely nothing.”

Miles said the Tigers may be young at some positions, but they don’t lack for talent anywhere.

“I like us,” Miles said. “I like us in any game.”