New Orleans media ranks LSU #2, Ducks #10

[tlongII]

http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2011/08/the_times-picayunes_preseason.html

2 LSU

Last season: 11-2. Final AP ranking: No. 8.

Notables: The Tigers are a consensus preseason top 5 team and national-title contender despite having only one first-team All-SEC player, cornerback Morris Claiborne (Alabama has nine), a quarterback whose performance against Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl has produced wishful thinking that he's significantly improved and a coach who's still perceived as luckier than good. But this team could be more than a sum of its parts. Replacing punter Derek Helton and kicker Josh Jasper could be the difference between victory and defeat, especially on the road.

Predicted record: 11-1.

10 OREGON

Last season: 12-1. Final AP ranking: No. 3.

Notables: The drip, drip, drip of the Willie Lyles case can't have a positive effect on the Ducks, but otherwise there's little that should slow Oregon's breakneck attack -- unless it's LSU's defense in the opening game. Look for the expected mass productivity by quarterback Darron Thomas, along with running back LaMichael James. But on the down side, three offensive line starters must be replaced, along with five of the defensive front seven. The Ducks had a stress-free season last year en route to the national title game. Handling adversity will be the true test for Coach Chip Kelly.

Predicted record: 10-2.

Predicted bowl: Holiday vs. Missouri.

 

[Wheels]

Handling adversity will be the true test for Coach Chip Kelly.

wtf? The dude has been under fire since he took the job lol

 

[Targus]

Cool story, bro.

I checked the Times-Picayune's historic record. You know, for reliability and trustworthiness. They were so off in 2010 it isn't even funny - not even close. 2009 was a bit better for them, so to give credit where it's due, they had Oklahoma, Cal, Texas, Penn St, Ole Miss, and Florida St, USC and LSU in their top 10. But, hey, two out of ten, or 20% accuracy ain't bad, yo!

Final 2009 BCS Regular Season Rankings (with AP Poll Votes to the right)

1 Alabama (58) 13-0 1498
2 Texas (2) 13-0 1425
3 Cincinnati 12-0 1302
4 TCU 12-0 1376
5 Florida 12-1 1253
6 Boise State 13-0 1237
7 Oregon 10-2 1128
8 Ohio State 10-2 1080
9 Georgia Tech 11-2 952
10 Iowa 10-2 925