Perhaps the biggest wild card in the SEC West, LSU has the talent to win its division.

But persisting questions regarding an inconsistent passing game and how quickly new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele can implement his system have to be addressed before the Tigers move up from last season’s fifth-place finish.

The sooner the Tigers can prove doubters wrong, the better. LSU has a grueling first three weeks, and wraps up 2015 with its usual SEC West gauntlet in November. Like most SEC teams, though, the Tigers’ non-conference schedule should help boost their win total.

Analyzing LSU’s 2015 schedule, here’s a closer look:

FAVORABLE MATCHUPS

By our estimation, the Tigers should be favorites in eight of their games this season.

Of those eight, we feel extremely comfortable LSU wins five. They should win more, but any slip-ups against its non-conference opponents or at home against a Florida team that will be mentally drained following four straight conference toss-ups could prove disastrous for coach Les Miles.

  • vs. McNeese State, Sept. 5
  • at Syracuse, Sept. 26
  • vs. Eastern Michigan, Oct. 3
  • vs. Florida, Oct. 17
  • vs. Western Kentucky, Oct. 24

BIGGEST GAMES

What games aren’t big in the SEC West? Not including non-conference matchups, LSU can’t rest on its laurels this season. But some games are more important than others. Two early matchups and a rare trip to Williams Brice Stadium will determine if the Tigers are elite.

  • at Mississippi State, Sept. 12
  • vs. Auburn, Sept. 19
  • at South Carolina, Oct. 10

ROUGH PATCH

This one’s not even close. The end of November will be grueling for the Tigers. LSU starts the month at Alabama before playing three more SEC West opponents that it recently has struggled against. To make matters worse, three of those teams (Texas A&M excluded) boast the type of defenses that could minimize Leonard Fournette and the Tigers’ rushing attack.

Even the Aggies will have special motivation. New division coordinator John Chavis bolted from LSU in January before suing the school over his contract buyout.

  • vs. Arkansas, Nov. 14
  • at Ole Miss, Nov. 21
  • vs. Texas A&M, Nov. 28

TOUGHEST TILT

The Crimson Tide likely will be the best team LSU faces this season, and they don’t have a habit of losing at home. While the 2015 Tigers have a high ceiling, escaping Tuscaloosa on Nov. 7 without major injuries or being demoralized may be more realistic goals than going undefeated in November.

SEASON-DEFINING STRETCH

  • Sept. 12-19

LSU’s first two conference games (Sept. 12 at Mississippi State and Sept. 19 vs. Auburn) are as difficult as any in the SEC. But those teams will have early issues to address. Setting the tone early in September will make all the difference in determining how far this team can go in November.