Athlon Sports Names LSU No. 2 in 2012 Preseason Top 25 Poll

Athlon Sports, publisher of the No. 1-selling college football magazine, continues the release of its preseason Top 25 poll at www.athlonsports.com. The countdown commences every year in early May and leads to the on-sale date of Athlon's category-leading college football preseason annuals.

To celebrate the LSU Tigers being named No. 2, AthlonSports.com will devote an entire day to the program, including a look at the Top 10 Players for 2012, the Greatest Players since 1967 and a Team Preview. (Direct links are included below.)

Les Miles’ LSU Tigers continue the countdown at No. 2 with seven preseason All-Americans and 11 players selected as All-SEC performers. Athlon Sports predicts LSU will finish first in the SEC’s Western Division. In the five year period from 2007-11, Athlon Sports was one of the most accurate preseason magazines in prediction accuracy.*

“The power running game and a nasty defense will lead the Tigers once again this season,” says Athlon Sports Managing Editor Mitch Light. “As long as the passing game is sound, LSU will be the team to beat in the SEC.”

Seven LSU standouts were named preseason All-Americans, with offensive lineman Alex Hurst, defensive lineman Sam Montgomery, defensive back Eric Reid, punter Brad Wing and punt returner Tyrann Mathieu being voted to the first team. Mathieu was also named to the second team at defensive back along with offensive lineman Chris Faulk, and defensive lineman Bennie Logan made the third team.  In addition, the Tigers running backs unit and defensive line were ranked No. 1 nationally. The defensive backs unit was rated No. 2 in the country and best in the SEC, while the offensive line was tabbed No. 2 in the nation.

Eleven Tigers earned preseason All-SEC honors, including Hurst, Montgomery, Reid, Wing, defensive lineman Barkevious Mingo and Mathieu at both defensive back and punt returner on the first team. Faulk, Logan, defensive back Tharold Simon and kicker Drew Alleman made the second team, while wide receiver Odell Beckham garnered third-team honors.

LSU Team Preview

LSU's Top 10 Players of 2012

LSU’s 10 Greatest Players Since 1967

 *Stassen.com analysis of college football preseason publications.