Patricia Ann Garrett-Washington
August 30, 2011Hello football, hello tailgaters!
September 1, 2011Week 1 vs. Oregon
Sept. 3 @ 7 p.m. on ABC
2010 record: 12-1 (national runners-up)
Strengths: high-powered offense, defensive quickness
Players to Watch: halfback LaMichael James, quarterback Darron Thomas
Week 2 vs. Northwestern State
Sept. 10 @ 7 p.m. on TigerVision
2010 record: 5-6
Strengths: defensive consistency, quarterback depth
Players to Watch: quarterback Paul Harris, linebacker Derek Rose
Week 3 @ Mississippi State
Sept. 15 @ 7 p.m. on ESPN
2010 record: 9-4 (Gator Bowl Champions)
Strengths: offensive diversity, solid coaching
Players to Watch: halfback Vick Ballard, defensive back Charles Mitchell
Week 4 @ West Virginia
Sept. 24 @ TBD on ESPN or ESPN 2
2010 record: 9-4
Strengths: confidence, experience
Players to Watch: quarterback Gino Smith, defensive end Bruce Irvin
Week 5 vs. Kentucky
Oct. 1 @ TBD on TBD
2010 record: 6-7
Strengths: short passing game, improved defense
Players to Watch: quarterback Morgan Newton, cornerback Randall Burden
Week 6 vs. Florida
Oct. 8 @ TBD on TBD
2010 record: 8-5
Strengths: new coaching philosophy, depth of talent
Players to Watch: quarterback John Brantley, defensive tackle Jaye Howard
Week 7 @ Tennessee
Oct. 15 @ TBD on TBD
2010 record: 6-7
Strengths: rushing game, stingy defense
Players to Watch: halfback Tauren Poole, linebacker Austin Johnson
Week 8 vs. Auburn
Oct. 22 @ TBD on TBD
2010 record: 14-0 (BCS National Champions)
Strengths: offensive scheme, explosive playmakers
Players to Watch: halfback Michael Dyer, quarterback Barrett Trotter
Week 9, BYE
Week 10 @ Alabama
Nov. 5 @ TBD on TBD
2010 record: 10-3 (Capital One Bowl Champions)
Strengths: depth, experience on defense
Players to Watch: halfback Trent Richardson, defensive back Mark Barron
Week 11 vs. Western Kentucky
Nov. 12 @ TBD on TBD
2010 record: 2-10
Strengths: power running game, high number of defensive returnees
Players to Watch: halfback Bobby Rainey, defensive back Ryan Beard
Week 12 at Ole Miss
Nov. 19 @ TBD on TBD
2010 record: 4-8
Strengths: talent at skill positions, underdog status
Players to Watch: halfback Brandon Bolden, kicker Bryson Rose
Week 13 vs. Arkansas
Nov. 25 @ 1:30 p.m. on CBS
2010 record: 10-3
Strengths: returnees on solid offense, last year’s taste of success
Players to Watch: quarterback Tyler Wilson, safety Tramain Thomas
Breaking down the schedule by numbers:
5: The number of teams the Tigers will face ranked in the Top 15 nationally in the final poll of the 2010 season (Auburn, Oregon, Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi State).
6: The number of games LSU will play away from Tiger Stadium, one of the largest numbers in recent years for the Tigers.
2: The number of games LSU will play on days other than Saturday. LSU will play a Week 3 Thursday night game with Mississippi State before closing the season on a Friday afternoon with Arkansas.
13: The number of days LSU will have to prepare for their Nov. 5 road showdown with Alabama.
0: The number of D-1 schools LSU will play at home in the first four games of the season.
6: The number of teams on the 2011 schedule that LSU defeated in 2010 (Mississippi State, West Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Alabama).
8: The number of games the Tigers will play to start the season before having a bye week.
