THIS WEEK'S GAME: Oregon State at LSU, Sept. 4 -- If the Tigers are still living in the past and not focused on the task at hand they'll find out quickly. Oregon State has enough firepower to win at LSU if the Tigers aren't ready. An interception here, a fumble here and a defensive lapse there and it's a ballgame. That said, the Tigers have a lot of experienced players back in the fold and it's time for them to step up and replace last year's leaders.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB Marcus Randall -- LSU's new starting quarterback isn't really that new, having started half of the 2002 season. He's a senior now, and if the preseason camp is any indication, he's ready to become a more consistent and dependable player.

WR Skyler Green -- Green led the nation in punt returns last season but the loss of starters Michael Clayton and Devery Henderson make it imperative that Green becomes more reliable.

DT Claude Wroten and LB E.J. Kuale -- LSU signed these two juco transfers hoping they would be ready to step in and compete for playing time. They've done that so far. Now they need to step in and play significant roles on a defense that must replace DT Chad Lavalais and LB Eric Alexander.

ROSTER REPORT
Ankle injuries slowed WR Skyler Green and Xavier Carter and OT Nate Livings during the preseason, but all three are expected to be ready for the Oregon State game. . . . LSU lost two players to transfer, with RB Barrington Edwards leaving for North Carolina and redshirt freshman linebacker Darius Ingram moving to TCU. Both players were highly recruited prep prospects, but neither player was expected to make a dramatic impact this season because of the depth at both spots.

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