There is something in the air. LSU fans know it's coming. The fans always know when their team is next on our list, of SEC teams. It's like Christmas in Louisiana, right now. SEC Football 2007 cannot get here quick enough.

Every LSU website is counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until kick-off on ESPN when the Tigers plan on wreaking havoc on Mississippi State in Starkville, on national television.

The Clouds are Clearing. So let's summarize the LSU 2007 football season for all those uniformed people living in other parts of the country. The first game of the year, whip Miss State on ESPN. Three wins at home in a row, then to Tulane to make it, 5-0. Having worked the kinks out, beat Florida and Auburn at home, revenging last years losses. Take out Kentucky and then go to Alabama and smoke Nick Saban in front of his home crowd.

Finish out the season by dusting La Tech, and Ole Miss. Then finish the payback, beat last year's SEC West champs Arkansas at Tiger stadium. Play for the national championship, everybody gets a nice gift bag and a big ring. Tostitoes all over the place. Season over.

The Stars Were Lined up Perfectly. By the end of the 2006 season, Les Miles knew he had the most talented team in the country. Other SEC coaches did too. The NFL draft confirmed it. LSU had a school record, four first round picks to prove they had the talent. The Tigers were a perfect 8-0 at home in Tiger Stadium.

But even the best teams must face the giants on the road in the toughest conference in college football. In 2006, the Tigers had to play four top 10 teams, on the road. LSU traveled to Auburn, Florida, Tennessee and Arkansas. Four good games, 2 wins, 2 losses. If a couple of plays had gone differently, maybe they'd still be eating Tostitoes in Lousiana. LSU was so close in 06.

Weather Forecast: Sunny Days Ahead in Louisiana. Looking at LSU football 2007, the four big games are at home. Steve Spurrier, Florida, Auburn, and Arkansas. And LSU doesn't lose at home so that works great. If LSU wins their home games, they have the benefit of a less threatening road schedule with Miss State, Ole Miss and Kentucky.

And then there is the game of all games, the LSU-Alabama game in Tuscaloosa. LSU had no problem with Bama last year, and this year they are playing for pride in front of a national audience. Les Miles has the chance to prove he is the better coach. The LSU players have the chance to prove they are a top seeded team.

The Stars are Lining Up.... Again. Six starters returning on offense, eight starters returning on defense. The defense is loaded with talent and leadership with juniors and seniors at all positions and believed to be the best defense in the country. The offense will be lead by quarterback Matt Flynn and he has a supporting cast of two stars in wide receiver Early Doucet and running back Jacob Hester. All pre-season polls are picking LSU as the SEC West champs as well as the SEC champs. The SEC champ should have a shot at the national championship. Nothing but blue skies in cajun country.

Compared to LSU, the Rest of the SEC is in another Galaxy. This is LSU's year to dominate. In the West, everybody is good, but LSU should beat them all. Bama is in transition with a new coach. Arkansas is still in chaos with the division created by the Mitch Mustain fiasco. Auburn is always good but you have the advantage of playing them at home. Ole Miss and Miss State are still struggling with inconsistency and impatient fans.

In the SEC East, Florida and Georgia are in a re-loading year with young quarterbacks and defenses. South Carolina and Kentucky haven't proven they can win the big games consistently yet. And Tennessee and Vandy are off the schedule for this year. 

Nobody Can Predict the Weather, consistently. How many teams have had their entire fate determined before the season even started. In August, everybody thinks their team can win the SEC. Thats what makes it great. The reality is nobody can predict injuries, weather, dropped passes or missed field goals. And in the end, one single play can change a team from #1 to #6 in the polls. There are always upsets and sometimes it's your team getting beat. Like the weather, some days are good and some days are bad. It's just hard to predict the SEC.

I'm not a Weatherman. But I Know a Big, Fast Destructive Storm when I See One. LSU has everything in place to do a lot of damage in the SEC . For starters, LSU has momentum by coming off a strong season by winning their last seven games including a whipping of Notre Dame at the Sugar bowl. LSU has a lot talent with a lot of NFL bound athletes. A team of leadership with a lot of returning starters that are seniors. LSU is focused with minimal off the field distractions during the off season. A favorable schedule. A great coaching staff with some of the best in the business. LSU has the foundation to be a great team. No wonder they are counting the days. It truly is Christmas in Louisiana.

Jay Holgate is an analyst and writer for www.secsportsreport.com
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