5 New Things to Watch For During the 2014 LSU Football Season

It's been a while since the LSU Tigers had a real battle at quarterback. Zach Mettenberger was never challenged for his starting position, and in just two short years he managed to establish himself as one of the great leaders at QB in LSU history. There is little experience at QB on this year's roster, but there is mega talent.

Anthony Jennings started the Outback Bowl last year after Metz went down, but he didn't set the world on fire in that game. Parkway's Brandon Harris has come in as a true freshman and is pushing Jennings for the starting job.

Some LSU beat writers believe Harris will be the starter before the season is done. The last time LSU had anything resembling a QB battle was the 2011 season, when Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee sucked!

I'm not sure how LSU fans will feel about this one. The Tigers and Razorbacks have been playing each other the day after Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember. Heck, my family plans holiday get-togethers around it. At least, an old rivalry will be renewed this holiday season.

LSU and Texas A&M will play each other Thanksgiving Night. The Aggies are foregoing tradition as well, as they have traditionally played Texas on Turkey Day.

Betchya didn't see that one coming. Kiffin got fired by USC, and hired by Nick Saban to be an assisstant at Alabama.  There will be a special sound in Tiger Stadium the night of November 8th when the Tide rolls in to Death Valley, and many of those boos will be reserved for Lane Kiffin.

His tour of the SEC may be tough as many SEC lovers are still upset at the way he left Tennessee.

Charles McClendon was the head ball coach in Baton Rouge the last time these two programs met.  LSU is 2-0 all time versus the Badgers. These two teams will play in the Houston Texans' NRG Stadium to kick off the 2014 season. They will meet again in 2015... at Lambeau Field.  Awesome!

The Bearkats were National Runners-Up at the FCS level as recently as 2012. This Southland Conference team will get their biggest taste of FBS football in the program's history when they come to Tiger Stadium for LSU's home opener on September 6th. Yep, it's a night game in Death Valley.