If I’ve learned anything about Southeastern Conference football over the years, it’s been that you’d better not underestimate a single team in the league. Does that include LSU, you ask? Why certainly!

Baton Rouge sportswriter Scott Rabalais recently threw in only minor reservations while writing about new Tiger head coach Nick Saban and his 2000 Tigers. Still he subtly hedged a bit. I’m sure he’ll qualify his observations down the road.

Rabalais does firmly allow as how many Tiger fans are expecting an immediate, 24-carat turn-around under Nick Saban, &uot;whose $1.2 million per year contract puts ‘gold’ in purple and gold.&uot;

Then he had this to say…&uot;If (the fans) don’t expect to be doing the samba on South Beach the week of the Orange Bowl (this year’s BCS title game) they at least expect to be underground in Atlanta for the SEC Championship game, or at worst in some New Year’s Day bowl.&uot;

Nothing wrong with shooting high, I always say. Besides, I look for the Tigers to be formidable for sure this fall, although I agree that the new &uot;Saban&uot; Bengals will have to go some to make it back to the school’s old respectability after having been down so long.

LSU was 3-8 last season, but don’t let that throw you – the Tigers WILL be vastly improved this fall, I believe. Just got a feeling, that’s all.

One thing is that 17-of-22 1999 starters return. Then there’s also place-kicker John Corbello, and you know how important that can be.

Some Tiger fans don’t believe that ’99 quarterbacks Josh Booty and Craig Nall, both of whom return this fall, have it even as a tandem to return the Tigers to a semblance of oldtime Tiger dominance. I don’t know about pure oldtime Tiger dominance, but I feel the pair will lead as well as quarterbacks well.

The returning 17 starters include offense and defense, of course. and although the Tigers were defeated eight straight times last season after beating San Jose State and North Texas. They did smear a pretty good (7-4) Razorback team 35-10 at the last.

I have to believe, consequently, that Nick Saban and his coachin’ troops will be able to build on a pretty good nucleus that includes that probability of a strong quarterback tandem. Quarterbacking is a must, of course. After all, LSU has gone 3-13 in Southeastern Conference games the last two seasons.

Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Alabama and Houston beat the Tigers in a row last season, and that ain’t good. But, again, there was Arkansas that fell to end their dismal season. And the LSU coaching change is expected to be a definite plus, believing that Saban and Co. will be much better than Gerry DiNardo and his crew. Only time will tell, of course.

There are two or three areas expected to be very much improved that I haven’t mentioned. &uot;Real&uot; Tigers call tailbacks seem to be a plus in Tigerland. First on the list is Domanick Davis at that position called by many one with &uot;depth and talent.&uot; A really good tailback is a must for success.

Tight ends and wide receivers appear to be numerous enough in the Tiger camp. Earning most of the attention at those positions, starting with Joe Domingeaux and Eric Edwards apparently holding sway at tight end, and Reggie Robinson and Jerel Myers at wide receiver positions, dictates thumbs at both slots.

I know that baseball is the rage at LSU right now (compared to Ole Miss anyway), but we all know that football is the top SEC attraction year in and year out, and LSU just might have it this fall to make the big splash it hasn’t made in awhile.