Overrated or under-appreciated?

The question comes up monthly for Les Miles, a coach who has led LSU to an average of 10.3 wins per season over the last decade in Baton Rouge.

Since winning the SEC and falling to Alabama in the 2011 national championship game, the Tigers have taken a step back by program standards, managing a .625 winning percentage against league competition over the last three seasons. That’s not going to cut it against primary division rivals Alabama and Auburn who have pushed LSU to its ‘third-best team’ title during that stretch.

The harsh reality for Miles is that fans have all but buried his 2007 national title and yearn for relevancy in the Playoff era. Many on the media side of things feel the Mad Hatter’s time is running out to turn it around.

Entering his 11th season, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Glancing at the crystal ball, here are five guesses at how the Tigers’ season will unfold in 2015:

5 predictions for LSU in 2015

5. Brandon Harris will win — and keep — the quarterback job

Signed in 2014 to eventually anchor what Cam Cameron envisioned as a well-balanced offense post Zach Mettenberger, this sophomore from Bossier City is the future under center for the Tigers. Part of the reason Harris squandered his opportunity at making Anthony Jennings an afterthought last fall was due to the experience factor — a true freshman playing in the SEC. Harris wasn’t terrible (ok, maybe his only start at Auburn was) but he lacked the necessary consistency LSU’s coaching staff needed to see out of the position to warrant a permanent switch. Miles was mum on the split-rep quarterback battle post-spring but labeled practice as the most productive during his tenure. What does this mean as we approach the season? Harris needs to find a way to separate from Jennings, the projected junior first-teamer.

4. Vadal Alexander will make an effortless transition to right tackle

The Tigers are blessed to welcome back a three-year starter up front who slides from guard to right tackle following the exit of La’el Collins, which allows Jerald Hawkins to roll from the right to left tackle spot. That NFL-ready combo gives LSU arguably the Western Division’s best tackle-tandem heading into August. Earlier this spring, Alexander compared his position switch to ‘riding a bike’ and believes repetitions along with drawing off techniques he used at guard will benefit his play this season. An additional prediction? Alexander won’t allow a sack as a senior.

3. The secondary will allow the fewest passing TDs, again, in the SEC

Premiere corners. Substantial depth. Playmaking safeties. LSU’s back end doesn’t have a weakness this season. The Tigers can absorb the loss of John Chavis thanks to a bevy of returning starters and newcomers expected to compete for immediate playing time. Tre’Davious White, Jalen Mills and Jamal Adams have All-SEC potential as rangy ballhawks anchoring a unit that gave up just 10 touchdown passes last fall. Sophomore Ed Paris, after an incredible spring, gets the nod opposite of White on an island at corner. When a five-star freshman of Kevin Toliver’s caliber is arguably your fifth-best player in a single position group, that’s unfair.

2. Leonard Fournette will lead the league in rushing

For Fournette’s sake, I hope the standout sophomore eats his Wheaties and brings a hard hat to work every Saturday this fall because he’s going to need it. The Tigers won’t worry with a carry count for one of the SEC’s leading Heisman candidates. He’s going to be fed the football at least 230 times which should lead to a league-best rushing total if the former five-star has undoubtedly improved between the tackles. LSU needs Fournette to not only be great, but elite, to challenge for a Western Division title.

1. Tigers will win 10 games

LSU will lose a game it’s not supposed to this season (at South Carolina, perhaps) and knock off one of the West’s perceived frontrunners to finish 9-3 with a bowl berth in Florida — or maybe a New Year’s Six at-large invite — coming its way. The Tigers’ preseason over/under is 8.5 wins according to oddsmakers and I think LSU surpasses that mark.