2021-2022 CFB SEC West preview: Key players, schedule, predictions 

LSU Tigers: SEC West

Ed Orgeron

LSU made waves in 2019 when Joe Brady's fantastic offense went on to conquer the SEC West, the conference and the championship. After an uninspiring year with less talent, a pandemic and many opt-outs, Ed Orgeron has made a lot of changes to his coaching staff and will hope to get the division crown back.

Ed Orgeron again says he brought in Peetz and Mangas "to run Joe Brady's offense." #LSU

— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) July 19, 2021

Here's a look at the LSU Tigers' strengths and weaknesses heading into the 2021-2022 season.

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2021-2022 SEC West Conference preview: LSU Tigers

LSU's strengths: While there's no Joe Burrow or Ja'Marr Chase to recapture LSU's magic from the 2019 season, the offense could once again be one of the best in the SEC West with a lot of starters from last year returning for 2021. Kayshon Boutee deserves a special mention after his 308 receiving yards in last season's finale against Ole Miss.

LSU's weaknesses: Last year's secondary was a complete mess. The whole defense was awful under Bo Pelini, the former Nebraska coach, but while there are some talented players, it's tough to trust the new unit until they prove themselves on the field.

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LSU key player: Offense

G Ed Ingram: Ingram was sure to be a draft pick in 2021 had he chosen to declare himself, but he decided that 2020 wasn't a good enough year for the team - and, in fact, it wasn't. He's the Tigers' starting left guard with incredible athletic tools and high upside that could land him an early day-two selection next year.

SEC Championship - Georgia v LSU

LSU key player: Defense

CB Derek Stingley Jr.: Stingley couldn't exactly make waves last year as the entire Tigers defense was held up by Pelini, but his incredible play in 2019 isn't forgotten and, now in his junior year, he has a strong chance of becoming a top-10 pick in the draft if he gets back to his 2019 level. His ball skills are amazing: 20 passes defended over 22 games during his college career.

#LSU cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. and Eli Ricks have both been named to the Bednarik Award watch list for college football's defensive player of the year.

— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) July 19, 2021

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2021-2022 LSU Tigers schedule:

Week 1: Saturday, September 4 at UCLA Bruins

Week 2: Saturday, September 11 vs. McNeese Cowboys

Week 3: Saturday, September 18 vs. Central Michigan Chippewas

Week 4: Saturday, September 25 at Mississippi State Bulldogs

Week 5: Saturday, October 2 vs. Auburn Tigers

Week 6: Saturday, October 9 at Kentucky Wildcats

Week 7: Saturday, October 16 vs. Florida Gators

Week 8: Saturday, October 23 at Ole Miss Rebels

Week 9: Bye week

Week 10: Saturday, November 6 at Alabama Crimson Tide

Week 11: Saturday, November 13 vs. Arkansas Razorbacks

Week 12: Saturday, November 20 vs. UL Monroe Warhawks

Week 13: Saturday, November 27 vs. Texas A&M Aggies

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2021-2022 LSU Tigers prediction (9-3 overall, 5-3 SEC)

Last year, LSU self-imposed a bowl year ban because of ongoing NCAA investigations against the university. The Tigers are now contenders in the SEC West and, if they can't surpass Alabama this year, they are a strong contender for a New Year's Six Bowl.