LSU has a lot of important players returning on both sides of the ball.

It also has a bunch of important newcomers — both true freshmen and collegians who came through the transfer portal.

So the Tigers could be even better than they were last season, when they won the SEC West. But whether they are better or worse, we can be pretty sure they will be different.

Their offense has a lot more running backs to work with, and their defense is counting on a lot of newcomers in the secondary.

Other newcomers are sprinkled throughout the roster.

Here are 5 areas where LSU will be better and worse in 2023:

Better

1. Rushing offense

LSU had a really good offense last season, but it leaned on quarterback Jayden Daniels in the running game more than it wanted to, partly because the running back position was relatively thin.

But the Tigers have plenty of running back options — 8 viable ones — in addition to Daniels. And they have a more experienced offensive line than they had last season, all of which adds up to a more productive rushing attack.

2. Touchdown passes

Daniels was very good last season, both as the team’s leading rusher and an efficient passer. But his touchdown pass total was modest (17, tied for 9th in the SEC).

But the improved running game and a stable of talented wide receivers, as well as Daniels’ continued maturation, will lead to an increased number of touchdown passes.

3. Punt returns

LSU’s punt-return game was almost nonexistent last season. The Tigers averaged just 3.3 yards per punt return, the worst average in the SEC, and had just 16 returns.

It will be difficult for them not to be better than that.

4. Run defense

LSU was in the middle of the SEC pack last season, finishing 7th with an average of 148.4 rushing yards allowed.

The return of 3 of the top 4 tacklers — Greg Penn III, Harold Perkins Jr. and Greg Brooks Jr. — and the addition of former Oregon State tackling machine Omar Speights means there will be plenty of talented Tigers pursuing the ball and slowing down opposing runners better than last season.

5. 3rd-down defense

LSU has placed an emphasis on playing better 3rd-down defense than last season.

The overall 3rd-down conversion rate (39 percent) was bad enough, and it was exacerbated by allowing too many 3rd-and-longs to be converted, as well as periodic failures at crucial times in games.

The improved run defense should create more challenging 3rd downs for opponents. It will be up to the defense to do a better job of not letting opponents off the hook.

It will.

Worse

1. Takeaways

LSU did a pretty good job of taking the ball away from opponents last season, tying for 6th in the SEC with 20 — 11 fumbles and 9 interceptions.

But the Tigers are counting on a few unproven players at cornerback, and it’s unclear how well they’ll be able to make interceptions.

So the takeaway number will take a slight dip.

2. Red zone defense

A dip in takeaways will make it more difficult for LSU to prevent scores after opponents reach the red zone.

The Tigers did well with their red-zone defense last season, allowing points on 80.4 percent of trips there, which was the 5th-best percentage in the SEC.

LSU will be good in the red zone again. It just won’t have quite as high a percentage of scoreless trips by opponents.

3. Pass defense

LSU had 1 of the better pass defenses in the SEC last season, ranking 4th in fewest yards allowed (206.2 per game).

The aforementioned presence of unproven cornerbacks — as well as the likelihood that the Tigers will play with a lead quite a bit, forcing opponents to pass an inordinate amount — will prevent LSU from matching last year’s passing yardage stat.

4. Turnovers

The Tigers did a really good job with ball security last season. They had the 5th-fewest turnovers in the SEC (18) — 11 fumbles and just 7 interceptions.

Ball security doesn’t figure to be a major problem this season. But Daniels and the passing game will be more aggressive overall after he began last season being super cautious with his throws.

A couple more turnovers here and there will push the 2023 total past the 2022 total without significantly impairing the Tigers’ ability to win.

5. Sneaking up on people

There isn’t a whole lot LSU can do about this one.

The Tigers probably snuck up on some opponents last season because expectations were that they would perform far below the level of SEC West champs.

LSU is pretty much a consensus Top 10 preseason pick and generally considered a contender to repeat as division champs.

Beginning with Florida State in the season opener Sept. 3 in Orlando and carrying through the entire SEC schedule, the Tigers’ opponents will be anticipating a Top 10-caliber performance from Brian Kelly’s team.