The narrative surrounding LSU has become so simplistic and repetitive that it feels like brain-washing.

If LSU had a good quarterback, the Tigers would win a national championship this season.

RELATED: Best-case scenario — Tigers return to prominence after 11 wins

It can’t be that easy, can it? LSU fans and coaches would love for Brandon Harris or Anthony Jennings to be good enough to find out.

With Leonard Fournette set to blossom into the superstar everyone expected of him as the nation’s No. 1 recruit, and a slew of exciting receivers and defensive backs, this season is full of story lines and entertainment.

But just how good will LSU be? Back to 8-5, a mark that infuriated some passionate fans in Baton Rouge, or thrust into contention for one of the four College Football Playoff spots? Let’s see what the national preseason magazines think.

WHAT THE MAGAZINES ARE SAYING

ESPN: “LSU … The dark horse SEC West pick? … If Les Miles can solve his QB riddle, LSU will be a contender for the West — and the playoff.”

Lindy’s Sports: “LSU has plenty of speed, strength and athleticism to regain its place among the nation’s elite. … The quarterbacks must be more productive than a year ago, particularly since the defense doesn’t appear as rock solid.”

Athlon Sports: “It’s pretty simple: LSU needs much better play from the quarterback position in 2015. … The Tigeres are talented enough to be a factor in the rugged SEC West — only if the passing offense improves.

The Sporting News: “Neither [Anthony] Jennings nor [Brandon] Harris need to be great to lead LSU to a CFP bowl or the SEC Championship Game, but at least one of them must improve. If they can, the rest of the Tigers are plenty good enough to follow them to a desirable postseason address.”

Phil Steele: “[LSU has] my #2 defense, #2 [special teams] and a coach who knows how to win. … They have a great shot at being 8-0 when they travel to Bama. LSU is a legitimate National Title contender.”

BEST PLAYERS

  • RB Leonard Fournette
  • LT Jerald Hawkins
  • RT Vadal Alexander
  • LB Kendell Beckwith
  • CB Tre’Davious White
  • S Jamal Adams

WHAT WE LEARNED

  • Fournette’s strength is one of his most obvious and touted assets, but according to ESPN, his 644 rushing yards prior to contact were fifth-most in the SEC last year. LSU also rushed 621 times, 10th-most in the FBS. There’s little question to where the Tigers’ offense starts, and the team needs to find a way to be less predictable on that side of the ball.
  • Despite finishing the season 11-of-15 on field goals and 34-of-36 on extra points, placekicker Colby Delahoussaye is by no means in a secure position to retain that role. Trent Domingue, who got a late-season opportunity last year, will push him in fall camp.
  • According to Athlon Sports, impact newcomer Kevin Toliver II ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash. He’s jammed behind Ed Paris for now, as the sophomore performed very well in spring practice. Most likely, both of them will see a lot of snaps on defense in 2015.
  • LSU’s beleaguered offense managed 5.6 yards per play in 2014, according to Athlon Sports. That ranked 62nd in the country and fell off from 6.9 yards per play in ’13, but it’s better than I would’ve guessed. If LSU can split the difference in 2015, the offense will be effective enough to win a lot of games.

BIGGEST AGREEMENT

LSU must get more out of its passing game after finishing 114th in the country in 2014.

While I agree with that statement — the most emphasized point in every preseason magazine I found — I don’t agree with the mechanics 100 percent.

Some of the responsibility falls to quarterbacks Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris. But the young, gifted receivers also must contribute more. And offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is too experienced and too qualified for the passing game to suffer this much.

LSU should be better than teams like Arkansas and Mississippi State based on pure talent, but the SEC West is so competitive that one noticeable crack in a team is enough to destroy its contender status. So all the attention surrounding LSU’s quarterbacks is merited.

BIGGEST DISAGREEMENT

The assumption that LSU is going to have an elite national defense feels presumptuous.

Some of the publications at least alluded to that fact, but I don’t think it’s been underscored enough.

It’s apples to oranges, but the last time Kevin Steele served as a defensive coordinator — at Clemson — his team gave up 70 points to West Virginia. His 3-4 scheme, unless it’s evolved tremendously since his ACC days, requires a lot more thinking and pre-snap analysis than the one deployed by the now-departed John Chavis.

Then there’s the defensive line, which lost its top two ends Danielle Hunter and Jermauria Rasco. On the one hand, that’s alarming — LSU’s defense struggled to get any sustained pass rush in 2014. But Hunter and Rasco combined for just 5.5 sacks. But the team had to move a defensive tackle (Maquedius Bain) to end in an attempt to generate pressure. But new defensive line coach Ed Orgeron is one of the best in the game at that limited, defined role.

(As you can see, there are some unanswered questions. But the team needs to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.)

The linebackers are thin and can’t sustain injuries without a major decline in talent and a major increase in fatigue.

Luckily, the secondary has a chance to be as good as any in the country, the defensive tackles got much, much better against the run during the second half of last season and Kendell Beckwith is a very good sideline-to-sideline linebacker.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Biggest Remaining Question: Is LSU a legitimate division contender in 2015?
Consensus Projection: 3rd place, SEC West
Impact Newcomers: FB David Ducre, CB Kevin Toliver II