GatorTailgating.com's Ben Petitto will be doing a series covering each SEC Team's Spring practice. This is the fourth installment of the series on the LSU Tigers.

2008 was a bit of a down year for Les Miles and the LSU Tigers after winning the 2007 national championship. They had the ingredients on defense, but their lack of offense really stifled their overall performance. In 2009 they look to QB Jordan Jefferson to step up and compliment their stellar running game in order to put up the offensive numbers needed to compete in the SEC. Their defense will be solid as always and could be one of the best in the league if a few key players step up.

On Offense: LSU’s offense should be run the ball, run the ball, and run the ball some more. They are absolutely loaded at running back with superstar 1200 yard rusher senior Charles Scott, senior Trindon Holliday (one of the fastest player in football), proven SEC rusher senior Keiland Williams, and emerging star junior Richard Murphy. Blocking for this stable of backs will be a stellar line led by senior mauler and All-SEC performer Ciron Black (OT). Junior Joseph Barksdale should be solid at the other tackle and former defensive end Senior Lyle Hitt is an experienced guard. The new starters haven’t been determined, but the coaching staff feels solid about the four or five guys pushing to play in those spots.

At quarterback, Jordan Jefferson played well in the spring, and freshman Russell Shepard flashed his athleticism in the spring game. Jefferson was 8 for 10 for 97 yards in the spring game and showed a good command of the offense. He will be the starter and will be asked to get the ball to star wideout Brandon LaFell. True freshman and top recruit Russell Shepard impressed the coaching staff by making numerous plays this spring and will likely get on the field in some capacity. The weakness of this offense will be the depth at wide receiver behind All-SEC first teamer Brandon LaFell. Highly touted recruit Terrance Tolliver will need to add some production and last year’s third leading receiver Richard Dickson (TE) will also be key.

On Defense: Although LSU had a down year their defense still had some serious playmakers. New defensive coordinator John Chavis will have to replace standouts such as Darry Beckwith (LB), Ricky Jean Francois (DT) and third overall pick in the NFL draft, Tyson Jackson (DE). Despite facing attrition to the NFL, the Tigers defense is still almost all upperclassmen. On the defensive line there will be mostly new faces. Senior Rahim Alem (DE) will lead the way after producing 8 sacks to garner first team All-SEC honors last season. Alem also played extremely well in spring practice and will be the leader on the line. Look for junior Lazarius Levington to take over the other defensive end slot. On the inside, look for seniors Al Woods and Charles Alexander as well as junior Drake Nevis to rotate time. Senior Jacob Cutera is the only guy locked into a starting position at linebacker. He only started two games last season, but he played well as a true middle linebacker in the spring. Outside linebackers junior Kelvin Sheppard and senior Perry Riley were second and third on the team in tackles last year. Last year’s leading tackler and former safety Harry Coleman has made a smooth transition to linebacker in the spring, he will push Riley and Sheppard for time immediately.

The secondary should be a strength with junior Chad Jones (FS) and emerging star sophomore Patrick Peterson (CB). Jones is just beginning to live up to the hype he received out of high school and if he continues to get better he might be one of the best safeties in the nation. Peterson will be counted on to be the shutdown corner for the Tigers with Senior Chris Hawkins (CB) holding down the other spot in his second year as a starter. The biggest question mark on the defense might be the hole left at the strong safety by Harry Coleman’s move to linebacker. Look for sophomores Ron Brooks and Karnell Hatcher as well as senior Danny McCray to compete in the wide open race here. Chavis has said no one’s spot is safe in his new revamped defense, but if some guys can step up and compliment stars Rahim Alem and Chad Jones they could be formidable.

Spring Surprise: Russell Shepard (QB). He was rated by some as the top recruit in the nation, but with the players coming back on offense including Jefferson, LaFell, and Scott he wasn’t expected to see the field. But he has proved he is too much of a playmaker to keep off the gridiron in the fall and Les Miles will have to find a way to get Shepard the ball in some capacity this season.

Lingering Question: Will the passing game be able to produce enough to let the running game become as successful as it can be? If Jefferson can find LaFell enough and another receiver can emerge then this offense will become successful. As it stands I would pack the box against this team and make them prove they can throw the ball. They clearly have the most talented running back crew in the SEC, but the passing game will have to step up for them to be productive. It is all on Jefferson and his receivers.

What to expect in the Fall: Look for the Tigers to be better than last year’s 8-5 squad. There is too much talent on this team to lose 5 games. The defense will be formidable as usual and the offense has the potential to be at least productive.

Predictions: I see the Tigers going 9-3 (5-3) thanks to a cake walk out of conference schedule including last year’s winless Washington Huskies. They won’t be able to get past Ole Miss, Florida, or Alabama, but they will beat Georgia in Athens. This team has too much talent not to have a winning record in the SEC.

Quotable: “It went really well. It was hard tackling Russell Shepard. He ran really well on the field. The defense looked better and the offense looked great as well. It was a great scrimmage.”- Chad Jones on how the defense played in the spring game.

Ben Petitto is a columnist for GatorTailgating.com.