HOOVER, Ala. - LSU was picked to finish third in the SEC West behind Alabama and Texas A&M by 243 voters at SEC media days. The Tigers received just one vote to win the SEC overall title.
While LSU lost several key starters, one reason for the lack of support in the media voting may reflect the Tigers’ SEC East opponents.
LSU is playing Georgia and Florida, which were a combined 14-2 in SEC games last season. Alabama’s East opponents (Kentucky and Tennessee) were 1-15 in last season; Texas A&M’s (Missouri and Vanderbilt) were 7-9.
“That’s something we don’t really look at, that we’re playing harder teams than Alabama,” Tigers quarterback Zach Mettenberger said. “We look at it as a challenge.
“To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best, and certainly Florida and Georgia are two of the best teams in this league. We’re going to go in there with the mindset to win.”
LSU safety Craig Loston said the Tigers are looking forward to their schedule, which includes an opener against TCU in Arlington, Texas, at the newly-named AT&T Stadium.
“I don’t mind playing tough teams,” Loston said. “It defines you as a player, defines you as a team.
“If we can come in and get the job done week and week out, I think people are really going to respect us.”
Sports, Pages 17 on 07/30/2013