In his fourth season as head coach, Les Miles led LSU to a regular season record of 7–5, finishing 3–5 in the SEC. The Tigers were awarded a berth in the 2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl where they faced Georgia Tech. The Tigers easily defeated the Yellow Jackets by a score of 38–3. Miles improved to 4–0 in bowl games as head coach of LSU. LSU completed the 2008 college football season with an 8–5 overall record. The bowl victory also marked the 700th win in LSU Tiger football history. The Tigers look to improve on their 8–5 season in 2009.
Before the season
Coaching changes
Following the 2008 season, co-defensive coordinators, Doug Mallory & Bradley Dale Peveto both left LSU. Mallory moved on to New Mexico to become defensive coordinator of the Lobos' football program,[1] while Peveto took over as the head coach of the Northwestern State Demons.[2] The Tigers replaced Mallory and Peveto with new defensive coordinatorJohn Chavis, who left the University of Tennessee after the departure of head coach Phillip Fulmer.[3] Chavis was a Tennessee alum and held the position of defensive coordinator there since 1995. Chavis will also coach linebackers at LSU.
Ron Cooper was hired as the new defensive backs coach. Previously, Mallory had coached the defensive backs since 2005. Cooper came to LSU from the University of South Carolina where he spent the past five years coaching on the defensive side of the football.[4]
Earl Lane also left LSU following the 2008. Lane spent 3 seasons as defensive line coach at LSU, but decided it was time to move on. Lane was replaced by Brick Haley. Haley was brought aboard as a veteran defensive line coach who has spent time in both the NFL and the Southeastern Conference.[5]
Finally, Josh Henson, who left to become co-offensive line coach for Missouri,[6] was replaced by Don Yanowsky. Henson came to LSU with Miles in 2005 and served as the Tight Ends coach and recruiting coordinator for the Tigers. Henson has a reputation as of being one of the best recruiters in the nation. Yanowsky will also serve as the Tight Ends coach and Recruiting coordinator, and comes to LSU from Boston College.[7]
LSU improved to 22–0 all-time against the Ragin Cajuns.
1
2
3
4
Total
Ragin Cajuns
0
3
0
0
3
Tigers
7
10
7
7
31
Mississippi St.
Pregame Line: -12.5
LSU has now beaten Mississippi State 10 straight times.
1
2
3
4
Total
Tigers
13
3
7
7
30
Bulldogs
14
0
7
5
26
#14 Georgia
Pregame Line: +3.5
LSU beats Georgia in Athens for the first time since 1987.
1
2
3
4
Total
Tigers
3
3
0
14
20
Bulldogs
0
0
0
13
13
#1 Florida
Pregame Line: +10
Largest crowd ever in Tiger Stadium
1
2
3
4
Total
Gators
3
7
0
3
13
Tigers
0
3
0
0
3
Auburn
Pregame Line: -7.5
LSU beats Auburn for the third straight year.
Marks the start of the longest active home winning streak in college football.
1
2
3
4
Total
Auburn
0
0
3
7
10
LSU
14
3
14
0
31
Tulane
Pregame Line: -36.5
LSU beats the Green Wave for the 18th straight time.
1
2
3
4
Total
Green Wave
0
0
0
0
0
Tigers
14
7
7
14
42
#3 Alabama
Pregame Line: +7
The win marks the first time the Crimson Tide have beaten the Tigers in Tuscaloosa since 1999.
1
2
3
4
Total
Tigers
0
7
8
0
15
Crimson Tide
0
3
7
14
24
Louisiana Tech
Pregame Line: -23
With the win, LSU improved to 18–1 all-time against Louisiana Tech.
1
2
3
4
Total
Bulldogs
3
10
0
3
16
Tigers
10
0
7
7
24
Ole Miss
Pregame Line: +4.5
LSU has lost to a Houston Nutt coached team 3 straight times (Arkansas 2007, Ole Miss 2008 & 2009).
1
2
3
4
Total
Tigers
14
3
0
6
23
Rebels
6
9
0
10
25
Arkansas
Pregame Line: -4
LSU defeats the Razorbacks for the first time since 2006. The only bright spot for Arkansas is that they were the only team to outscore LSU in the third quarter this year.