It's been 258 days since LSU won the National Championship in New Orleans. Feels more like 258 years, with everything that's happened since.
The day has finally come for the Tigers to begin their title defense, as No. LSU will host Mississippi State. Kickoff is set for 2:30 PM on CBS.
LSU will look a lot different than the title team in January. The Tigers lost 14 players to the NFL Draft, including Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 pick Joe Burrow. In an offseason filled with the mystery of if football would even take place during a pandemic, there's been several players who've opted out of this season, including Lafayette native DT Tyler Shelvin and All-American WR Ja'Marr Chase.
The Tigers still have a lot of talent returning, including unanimous All-American CB Derek Stingley Jr. Safety Jacoby Stevens is the new #7 at LSU, while RB Chris Curry and LB Damone Clark will take over as the #18s.
Junior Myles Brennan takes over at QB, after sitting 2 years behind Burrow. His cast of weapons includes preseason All-SEC WR Terrace Marshall Jr. and freshman TE Arik Gilbert.
The coaching staff also went through changes, as new defensive coordinator Bo Pelini brings back to LSU his vaunted 4-3 defense.
At Mississippi State, this will be the debut of new head coach Mike Leach, who is famous for his air-raid offense. Among the Bulldogs key returners, RB Kylin Hill was 1st team All SEC in 2019.
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