LSU Tigers
City: Baton Rouge, La. (230,139)
Game Date/Location: Saturday, Aug. 31 in Arlington 2012 Record: 10-3 (6-2 SEC)
Head Coach: Les Miles
2012 Season Review: LSU lost one of the best bowl games played last year to Clemson by one point on a late field goal. That’s little comfort to the Tigers after a 10-2 regular season that saw them go 3-2 vs. Top 25 teams. Quarterback Zack Mettenberger led a balanced offensive attack by throwing for 2,500 yards and 12 touchdowns.
2013 Season Preview: The good news for the Frogs about the Tigers’ top-10 recruiting class is that true freshmen rarely make large impacts, especially in the first game of the year. The bad news is that LSU won’t be overlooking TCU, as its next two games after the opener are against UAB and Kent State. Tiger fans have spent the off-season studying the lines, the defensive and offensive lines, as there will be a host of new players starting this season for the Tigers. LSU returns only 10 starters, and many suggest that the key to another double-digit win season is the ability of the O-line to gel and the D-line to live up to its potential.
Returning Playmakers: Sophomore tailback Jeremy Hill closed 2012 on quite a run, but then ran into legal troubles in the off-season. Fortunately, he has friends in the backfield to provide one of the deepest and most talented corps in the country. On the other side of the ball, watch safety Craig Loston because all the preseason watch lists are, and so are all the opposing quarterbacks. He is a ball-hawk looking to increase his pick totals.
Key Home Game: Texas A&M, Nov. 23. It’s the week before Thanksgiving and comes on the heels of a second bye-week in three weeks. Some nice scheduling gave LSU the week off before going to Tuscaloosa and a bye week prior to this match-up against the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
Talk About the Tigers: Tigerdroppings.com and tigerfan.com have forums easily accessible for fans as well as plenty of information.
Around the Game in Town: Get your bearings at Cowboys Stadium by watching the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans in a preseason game on Thursday, Aug. 29. Arlington is the hub of activity all weekend, as the Rangers host the Minnesota Twins for a Friday-Saturday-Sunday set. Saturday night’s game will promise heavier than normal traffic as well as some parking challenges.
By Frog Football Fans:
Drew Harris Zack Kulesz Jeff Lewis Greg Oliver Jason Byrne
No. 12 LSU defense ready to show vs. No. 20 TCU
STEPHEN HAWKINS, AP Sports Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — LSU has only three full-time returning starters on defense.
The 12th-ranked Tigers had a team-record eight players taken in the NFL draft last April.
Despite the loss of so much talent, coach Les Miles says he’s seen a typical Tigers defense in practice. Linebacker Lamin Barrow, the top returning tackler, says he’s can’t wait for everyone to see that his coach his right.
The first test comes Saturday night when LSU plays No. 20 TCU in the season-opening Cowboys Classic at the NFL team’s stadium.
Former BCS buster TCU, now in its second Big 12 season, will try to make a statement for the Big 12, whose highest-ranked team in the preseason poll is No. 13 Oklahoma State. Six SEC teams rank higher than that.
Where to eat: Your home and travel guide to Frog Football
J. Parker Ragland
Sometimes Frog fans are too busy preparing for the game and forget to make plans around it, especially on the road, so here are some ideas to make this season unforgettable.
Aug. 31 vs. Louisiana State University
Field of battle: Cowboys Stadium Where to stay: Kick off the TCU football season in style just like the Horned Frogs do. The Sanford House Inn and Spa offers luxurious accommodations a few minutes away from Cowboys Stadium. www.thesanfordhouse.com Where to play: Before the game, drop by Six Flags Over Texas to get your adrenaline flowing. Where to eat: While you’re in Arlington, try Arlington’s best-kept secret, Damian’s Cajun Soul Cafe – an artful variety of Louisiana cooking – out of respect for LSU, of course. www.letseat.at/Damians