What Is 2009 LSU Tigers football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They finished with an 11–2 record, won the SEC Western Division, and defeated Texas in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game. Head coach Les Miles led the team to its third national title.

Key Facts

Finished the 2009 season with an 11–2 overall record
Won the SEC Western Division with a 7–1 conference record
Defeated Texas 37–21 in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game
Started the season ranked No. 3 in the AP Poll
Quarterback Jordan Jefferson started 12 games and threw for 1,440 yards

Overview

The 2009 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Under head coach Les Miles, the team competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and finished with an 11–2 record, culminating in a national championship victory.

LSU entered the season ranked No. 3 in the AP Poll and maintained a top-five position throughout most of the year. The Tigers claimed the SEC Western Division title and earned a spot in the BCS National Championship Game, where they defeated the previously undefeated Texas Longhorns.

SEC Western Division Champions: LSU secured the division title with a 7–1 conference record, edging out Texas A&M and Ole Miss in a tightly contested race.
BCS National Championship Victory: On January 7, 2010, LSU defeated Texas 37–21 in Pasadena, California, claiming its third national title in program history.
Defensive Dominance: The Tigers' defense ranked among the nation's best, allowing only 15.5 points per game and forcing 28 total turnovers.
Running Back Success: Quarterback Jordan Jefferson and running back Charles Scott powered a rushing attack that averaged 198.6 yards per game on the ground.
Heisman Contender Impact: Defensive end Tyson Jackson recorded 7.5 sacks and was a key factor in LSU’s defensive line dominance, earning All-American honors.

How It Works

The success of the 2009 LSU Tigers stemmed from a balanced approach on offense, a suffocating defense, and strong special teams play. Coordinated efforts across all units allowed LSU to overcome tough SEC competition and peak at the right time.

Offensive Scheme: The Tigers utilized a pro-style offense emphasizing power running and play-action passing, led by coordinator Gary Crowton with 310.2 total yards per game.
Defensive Strategy: Coordinator John Chavis deployed a 4–3 base defense that limited opponents to 31.8% third-down conversion rate and ranked 5th nationally in scoring defense.
Special Teams Execution: Kicker Josh Jasper converted 14 of 18 field goals, while punter Derek Helu averaged 40.1 yards per punt, controlling field position.
Key Injuries Managed: Despite losing starting cornerback Patrick Peterson to a midseason suspension, LSU’s depth allowed minimal drop-off in performance.
Home Field Advantage: LSU went a perfect 7–0 at Tiger Stadium, known for its intimidating atmosphere and loud crowd support.
Recruiting Pipeline: The team benefited from a strong 2008 recruiting class, including future NFL players like Morris Claiborne and Josh Downs.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2009 LSU Tigers to other top teams of the era highlights their elite performance across key statistical categories.

Team	Overall Record	Points Per Game	Points Allowed	Final AP Rank
LSU (2009)	11–2	29.5	15.5	No. 1
Texas (2009)	13–1	34.8	17.2	No. 2
Alabama (2009)	14–0	32.6	12.9	No. 3
Florida (2009)	8–5	32.1	20.7	No. 22
Ohio State (2009)	11–2	31.3	15.9	No. 10

LSU ranked among the nation’s best in defensive efficiency and turnover margin, finishing with a +12 differential. Their ability to win close games, including a 9–6 overtime win over Alabama, demonstrated mental toughness and disciplined play-calling under pressure.

Why It Matters

The 2009 season solidified LSU’s status as a national powerhouse and marked a defining moment in modern college football history. It showcased the effectiveness of balanced team-building and defensive excellence in high-stakes environments.

Legacy of Excellence: The national title was LSU’s third in program history, reinforcing its reputation as a consistent contender in the BCS era.
Impact on Recruiting: Winning the championship elevated LSU’s national profile, helping secure top-tier recruits in subsequent years.
Coaching Validation: Les Miles cemented his legacy with the title, earning SEC Coach of the Year honors and a contract extension.
Player Development: The season launched the careers of future NFL players like Patrick Peterson and Zach Mettenberger.
BCS Era Significance: The victory highlighted the importance of conference strength and non-conference scheduling in BCS selection.
Cultural Impact: The championship parade in Baton Rouge drew over 100,000 fans, underscoring football’s deep cultural significance in Louisiana.

The 2009 LSU Tigers remain one of the most celebrated teams in college football history, remembered for their resilience, discipline, and championship performance on the sport’s biggest stage.