I am as much of a tiger fan as any one here. I think this team is very talented and capable of potentially winning the SEC this year. I think this LSU team is quite capable of beating UNC and any other team on the schedule. There are, however, some serious exaggerations around here that I feel the need to address:

1. The misconception that the 2010 LSU D is a force to be reckoned with.

I will say that there is certainly talent, especially at DB. Despite this potential it should be noted that only 4 or 5 players are proven commodities. Sheppard, Peterson, Nevis, and B. Taylor have shown that they can play week in and week out. The rest are players that we've heard good things about but havent really had a chance to prove it yet.

There are many posters here that believe that the LSU D will be the same or better than last year and that belief is completely and totally unfounded....yet! I am optimistic about the D and I think they can be very good but we wont know that for some time.

2. The offense will explode this season.

It is certainly feasable to think that this offense can do better than 112 in total offense. I think we can all agree that it would be a bit of a surprise if they werent at least a little better. There are some question marks though.

WR: No doubt that Shep, TT, and Randle are absolute studs. There is a question of depth though. Injuries could obliterate the WR corps, very easily. Not much to worry about IMO but still is a question mark.

OL: This unit was not good last year, as we all know. They played a zone blocking scheme and didn't execute well at all. This year there will not be the same blocking scheme. It is only on assumption that we can proclaim that this new scheme will suit them better. I believe that they will be improved...but by how much?

QB: I believe, like most of you, that the QB position will be a stronger area than last year. How much will depend on play-calling, Rb play, WR play, and OL play. How much improvement is a question mark.

FB: Does this team actually have one that can open up holes? Certainly there wasn't such a player last year. The starting FB from spring isn't even with the team anymore. Huge question mark here.

Overall formation personnel: The biggest question mark surrounding LSU's offense lies within its overall personnel within each formation.

By all accounts, relative to pass-catching, Deangelo Peterson will be a nice weapon this year. If he doesn't become a solid blocker...well it will decrease his usefulness as it will tip the opposing DC as to what LSU is going to use him for. This would make him one dimensional and would take away the ability to disguise plays. Unkown as to whether Clement or Joseph can add a threat as a receiver....thus potentially making their in-game presence an obvious tell to the opposing DC as blockers (pass or run).

If LSU decides to run an I-form, with a potentially weak link as a lead-blocking FB, they will not be able to be balanced out of that formation. Ditto if the TE is a weak blocker (Peterson). This will lessen the strength of play-action as the season progresses.

If LSU decides to go four wide, has Jefferson learned how to go through his progressions? If he has, and the TE and FB blocking are not really there, then this should be our default formation. Sadly, not a lot of WR depth for this formation.

These questions will be answered and I think most of them will have positive results but it is unknown as to what the identity of this offense will be. Miles has recruited for a myriad of offenses but not well enough for any specific offense IMO.

I am optimistic, though, that they will be better than last year.

3. LSU will blow UNC out:

When has LSU looked good in a first game? Most programs can say this. I dont think it is a good idea to ever schedule a tough opponent in the first week, as the team needs to establish identity. Dont be surprised if LSU looks terrible in this game. Remember USCe and Ole Miss in the first game last year?? a nice final score of 7-3 in a battle of who wanted to lose the most. Oregon lost to Boise in the first game last year but if they had played later I believe that Oregon would have beaten Boise down by at least two scores.

I believe that LSU will win this game, especially considering UNC's losses in personnel....but chalking this game up as a blowout is just exaggeration that really has no basis. I believe something like 27-10 is likely...but I admittedly have no idea and it could just as easily be 56-7. Never really know with a first game.

4. LSU should be 5-0 when they roll into UF.

This is certainly possible but Miss State, Tenn, or WV could just as easily upset the Tigers. Playing things out in your mind to go the way you expect them to is a recipe for a miserable viewing experience throughout the season.

Just watch every game and enjoy every snap. Some of these question marks will have positive outcomes and some will be the reverse. you cannot will things, as a fan, to go your way simply because you think they should. Everyone here should have learned that by this point in life.

I'm not ranting, just offering a little perspective. I've been reading this site for months and finally decided to start posting. The manic behavior on this board is a little perturbing at times....How can you ever enjoy the good times if you always expect them a certain way? Just let it all happen...and enjoy

PS - the "positiger" and "negatiger" labels are very gay. I'm sad that they are actually staples around here. Please stop, for the love of God.

Season prediction: 10-3