No. 13 Clemson | No. 15 Ole Miss | Top 25
No. 14: LSU
Last Season: 8-5 (4-4 SEC)
Les plans on more Fournette
Forget the debate over who will start at quarterback in Baton Rouge. Whomever it ends up being -- last year's workhorse Anthony Jennings, who spent summer dealing with legal issues stemming from break-in accusations, or sophomore Brandon Harris -- their primary job will be simple. Get out of Leonard Fournette's way. The most-coveted high school recruit of 2013 backed up the hype with 1,034 yards and 10 TDs. This year he will be led by frenetic freshman fullback David Ducre as they hit holes opened by an offensive line that returns three veterans with a combined 73 starts. "I don't know if you know this about me, but I like to run the football," head coach Les Miles said with a smirk that says he knows darn well that we know he likes to run the football. -- Ryan McGee
Though the Les Miles era has featured an annual exodus of underclassmen to the NFL, this year the Tigers lost just three players early to the draft. As a result, the 2015 Tigers come back loaded, and they should receive much-improved QB play from both Brandon Harris, now a sophomore with a year under his belt, and junior Anthony Jennings, who started 12 of 13 games last year. They'll get plenty of help from Heisman-contending RB Leonard Fournette (1,034 yards and 10 TDs) and WRs Travin Dural and Malachi Dupre. With another incredibly fast defense-my pick for third best in the country-LSU could very well find itself in the playoff this season.
LSU's chances to win each game
09.05 vs. McNeese State: 99.9%
09.12 @ Mississippi State: 70.8%
09.19 vs. Auburn: 70.9%
09.26 @ Syracuse: 92.5%
10.03 vs. Eastern Michigan: 99.8%
10.10 @ South Carolina: 76.2%
10.17 vs. Florida: 79.8%
10.24 vs. Western Kentucky: 93.1%
11.07 @ Alabama: 40.7%*
11.14 vs. Arkansas: 63.4%
11.21 @ Ole Miss: 47.2%
11.28 vs. Texas A&M: 61.8%
*BROCK HUARD, ESPN analyst: In the past two seasons, LSU's defense has allowed two of its worst rushing tallies in 14 years, and Bama will present the stiffest challenge in 2015. Nick Saban has had Miles' number the past three seasons and should make this five in a row.
SHARON KATZ, ESPN Stats & Info: After ranking eighth in the SEC in efficiency last year, LSU's offense is expected to improve in 2015. But scoring on Alabama's D, which FPI says will be the second-best unit in the nation, will be one tall order -- especially in Tuscaloosa.
With unknowns when it comes to consistency at quarterback, it's hard to get a read on these Tigers, but a young core of offensive playmakers and a talented defense will help guide LSU to an 8-4 record. -- Edward Aschoff
The Tigers are set at every position except quarterback -- the SEC's top total defense in 2014 should again be strong despite losing coordinator John Chavis, and the Leonard Fournette-led running game will be difficult to stop -- so if Brandon Harris is ready to take over at QB, LSU could jump to 10-2. -- David Ching
Supremely talented across the board, but until QBs Anthony Jennings or Brandon Harris improve significantly, it's hard to see the Tigers doing better than 7-5, especially with a mean closing four-game stretch (at Alabama, Arkansas, at Ole Miss, Texas A&M). -- Sam Khan Jr.
One of the conference's bigger wild cards, LSU could win the SEC or finish toward the bottom of the West. Expect it to be somewhere between with a record of 8-4. -- Greg Ostendorf
Somehow, someway, Les Miles gets just enough at QB, relies on a talented defense and rides Leonard Fournette to a Heisman Trophy candidacy and an 11-1 record. -- Alex Scarborough
No. 13 Clemson | No. 15 Ole Miss | Top 25
