LSU enters this season with less known about what to expect from the team than in recent seasons.

Ed Orgeron begins his first full season as head coach; Les Miles coached the Tigers for the previous 12 before being fired four games into last season. Matt Canada brings in a new system in his first season as offensive coordinator. The defense is replacing its top six tacklers from last season. The special teams are being coached by committee with five assistants handling the unit under the tutelage of consultant Greg McMahon, a former New Orleans Saints special teams coordinator who cannot do any on-the-field coaching under NCAA rules.

Nonetheless, the Tigers are talented and as long as junior running back Derrius Guice is healthy, Canada will have a lot to work with. But he has an inexperienced group of receivers and an average playmaker at quarterback in Danny Etling.

Second-year defensive coordinator Dave Aranda did an excellent job in his first season and what the Tigers lack in experience on defense they easily make up for in talent.

Special teams are a wild card, but talented young players eager to make their mark are usually a good starting point and LSU has plenty of them.

What all this means won’t become apparent until the Tigers start the season but there are reasons to be confident in this team. That opener, Sept. 2 against BYU, had been set for Houston’s NRG Stadium but after deadly storms and floods hit Houston over the weekend, an alternate site seems pretty likely.

QB

Danny Etling

Confidence meter: Moderate

Etling only threw for 11 TDs last season but also only had five INTs and was sixth in the SEC with a 135.54 passer rating.

Why: LSU opted for Etling over freshman Myles Brennan because it wants an experienced leader who will take good care of the football. So the Tigers are willing to live with Etling’s limited playmaking ability.

The plan is to groom Brennan for next season, but Orgeron said he won’t hesitate to insert Brennan this season if Etling struggles. Freshman Lowell Narcisse could see limited action operating a run package. So the youngsters could increase the confidence level as the season goes on.

RB

Derrius Guice, Darrel Williams

Confidence meter: Off the charts

Why: Guice was the most productive running back in the SEC last season and LSU expects him to be even better this season. He’s capable of surpassing the 1,387 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns that he had last season.

Williams is a solid complement to Guice and he and Nick Brossette give the Tigers adequate depth when Guice gets a breather.

WR

D.J. Chark, Russell Gage, Derrick Dillon

Confidence meter: Moderate

Why: The Tigers are usually stocked with talented receivers and that again appears to be the case. But the biggest thing they lack is experience. Chark has the most significant experience with 26 catches last season.

Multiple players will have to become significant producers in their first season of being asked to contribute. The offense is built around Guice, but the receivers will have a chance to chip in as ball carriers in Canada’s offense.

OL

LT K.J. Malone, LG Garrett Brumfield, C Will Clapp, RG Lloyd Cushenberry/Saahdiq Charles/Ed Ingram, RT Toby Weathersby

Confidence meter: Cautiously optimistic

Why: LSU usually has a very good offensive line even when it has to replace multiple starters and that trait will be tested against this season. Malone is the only starter to return at the same position as last season.

Clapp is a two-year starter at center who brings stability to the interior of the line. The others have looked good enough in preseason camp to make the Tigers optimistic, but any losses for an extended period could expose suspect depth.

DL

DE Rashard Lawrence, NT Greg Gilmore, DE Christian LaCouture

Confidence meter: High

Why: This group is expected to lead the way for a rebuilt but very talented defense. LSU lost its top six tacklers from last season, but each of these guys has experience.

The Tigers think Lawrence could blossom into a star and LcCouture’s return from injury is a boost to the unit.

LB

OLB Arden Key, ILB Donnie Alexander, ILB Devin White, OLB Michael Divinity/Corey Thompson

Confidence meter: High, but a little shaky

Why: The most pressing concern here is Key’s surgically repaired shoulder. He set a school record with 12 sacks last season and he’s on virtually every preseason All-America team. His possible absence from the opener is not unexpected or inconsistent with his recovery prognosis.

LSU expects Key back early in the season and if he’s full speed and stays healthy throughout the SEC season, he’ll lead what should be a very effective group.

Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

DB

CB Donte Jackson, FS Ed Paris/Grant Delpit, SS John Battle, CB Kevin Toliver II

Confidence meter: Very high

Why: This group is an excellent balance of experienced veterans and elite young prospects. The experienced Paris and Battle are the leaders but Delpit’s talent will demand significant playing time as a true freshman.

Jackson has been touted as the fastest player in college football and he has skills to complement the speed. Toliver also is experienced and freshman Kary Vincent Jr. and sophomore Xavier Lewis bring talent to the nickelback position, which the Tigers use a majority of the time.

Special teams

K Connor Culp or Jack Gonsoulin, P Josh Growden, RET Donte Jackson, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Derrick Dillon

Confidence meter: Moderately high

Why: Orgeron’s special teams coordinator by committee approach is unconventional, leaving some uncertainty. But with Jackson returning punts and freshman Edwards-Helaire and sophomore Dillon returning kicks, the return game could be exceptional.

Growden was adequate last season and kickers Culp and Gonsoulin are untested. The coverage units should be solid.