The preseason SEC Media poll had the LSU Tigers just on the outside of the elite teams in the league and the coaches’ poll that dropped on Monday morning had it that way too.
LSU is predicted to finish fourth in the SEC, and the Tigers are ranked 9th in the coaches’ poll.
Texas is ranked number one followed by Ohio State, Penn State, Georgia, and Notre Dame round out the top five.
The Longhorns open the season in Columbus against the Buckeyes in a one versus two matchup.
LSU’s opponent in the season opener, Clemson, is ranked sixth. Oregon is ranked seventh and Alabama is ranked eighth.
The Tigers are ranked ninth and Miami is ranked 10th.
Aaron Anderson expected back Wednesday
There’s been one significant injury in the first week of preseason camp and it’s the team’s leading receiver from a year ago, Aaron Anderson. LSU Coach Brian Kelly says the former Edna Karr standout is dealing with inflammation in his left knee from an injury sustained in 2022 while he was at Alabama.
“We took an MRI, a bone scan, everything looks really good, now it’s about just getting him back moving, he’ll do some agility and movement on Tuesday with the hopes of getting him back on the field Wednesday,” Kelly said.
Anderson had surgery on the knee following the 2022 season and missed spring football in 2023 with the Tigers.
South Florida transfer flashing in practice
Safety A.J. Haulcy, safety Tamarcus Cooley, cornerback Mansoor Delane and edge rushers Patrick Payton, Jack Pyburn and Jimari Butler are the marquee additions out of the transfer portal on the defensive side of the football.
But a transfer from South Florida has caught the attention of Kelly. Defensive tackle Bernard Gooden had 35 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks last season for South Florida, which resulted in him receiving honorable mention all-AAC honors from the league coaches.
Gooden is listed at 6-foot-1, 268 pounds, but Kelly says the Montgomery, Alabama, native’s abilities fit the defensive structure that defensive coordinator Blake Baker likes to run.
“He just has a great sense in terms of getting off blocks. Sometimes, that’s a hard trait to teach. You just can or you can’t, and he’s very difficult to block.”