SEC Football: Best and Worst-Case Scenario for Every Team in 2015

Oct 25, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers offensive tackle Vadal Alexander (74) and fans celebrate on the field following the Tigers 10-7 victory agains the Mississippi Rebels at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

The first of our national championship contenders, LSU graduated from dark horse to full-fledged candidate after Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit both picked the Tigers to make it to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game during the season’s first edition of ESPN’s College GameDay in late August.

As a team ranked just outside the top ten in both major national polls, a title is well within reach – especially if a few major question marks work themselves out.

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In a perfect world, Brandon Harris takes control of the starting quarterback role and becomes not just a game-manager, but also a dynamic playmaker that beats opponents with his arm and his feet. Harris has the talent to do it, and hopefully he learned from a disappointing freshman season. He’ll certainly have plenty of weapons to work with.

As Harris comes along under center, expect the Tigers to lean heavily on sophomore running back Leonard Fournette. After posting 1,034 rushing yards and ten touchdowns last season, the New Orleans native is likely to emerge as a Heisman Trophy candidate. However, the Tigers also have a supreme group of wide receivers, including the explosive duo of Travin Dural and Malachi Dupre, as well as a solid offensive line.

Defensively, “DBU” is as talented as anyone in the nation in the secondary with Tre’Davious White, Jalen Mills (once he is healthy), Jamal Adams , Ed Paris, and five-star freshman Kevin Toliver II, among others. Kendell Beckwith and Lamar Louis are one of the best linebacker duos in the SEC, and the defensive line always has premium talented players.

LSU’s Best-Case Scenario: The Tigers make it back to the college football mountaintop – the national championship

Next: Worst-Case Scenario: LSU