For the first time in several years, it seems as if the Tigers are flying under the SEC’s proverbial radar heading into the 2015 season.

No one’s picking LSU to win the Western Division thanks to obvious quarterback issues and many have questioned the strength of the defense — primarily within the front seven — under new DC Kevin Steele, placing the Tigers within the middle of the pack.

Some have even had the audacity to put Les Miles on the hot seat, a coach who has won 10 or more games seven different times since taking over in 2005. It’s an overreaction for a team that hasn’t reached the conference title game since 2011, but that could change this season.

LSU has a serious Heisman contender at running back, an impressive offensive line and one of the nation’s top secondaries.

Path to the College Football Playoff Series

Furthermore, here’s a breakdown of LSU’s path to the College Football Playoff …

Defining factors

  • Can the Tigers improve their pass rush? (only 19 sacks last fall)
  • Will Leonard Fournette be able to remain healthy throughout the season?
  • How will LSU produce on offense with questions in several areas?
  • Can the Tigers survive a treacherous November against possibly four ranked teams?

Magic numbers

  • 17.5: LSU’s scoring defense in 2014, the sixth straight year sub-2o points
  • 85: Number of first downs via the pass last season, an SEC-low
  • 2: Wins over ranked teams last fall; LSU plays as many as five Top 25s in 2015

Key stretch

Don’t be surprised if this team starts the 2015 season 8-0 heading into its bye week pre-Alabama on Oct. 31 and here’s why: LSU will be favored in at least seven of its first eight games and has a favorable stretch following early-September games against Mississippi State and Auburn. A night game in Starkville on Sept. 12 is a challenge, but chew on this — LSU’s an SEC-best 71-11 at night over the last decade including a 26-6 mark away from Tiger Stadium. If Miles’ squad does manage to creep inside the top 5 at 8-0 heading into the final month, the real season awaits with four league games separating the Tigers from an SEC Championship berth and perhaps, an invite to the Playoff.

Final say

It’s awfully scary, and in a sense disrespectful, that LSU is now being labeled an SEC ‘sleeper’ instead of a contender. It’s the harsh flavor of the month reality in college football coming off an uncharacteristic season set by lofty program standards that most teams covert. That’s how it is in Baton Rouge when you’re expected to compete for national championships, year-in and year-out. This team may have more perceived questions than others on a slightly higher wavelength, but I still believe Miles is one of the nation’s best at going out and winning football games. Much of this season’s hopes will fall on the shoulders of Brandon Harris, the likely sophomore starter at quarterback now that Anthony Jennings lost some of the attraction amongst his coaches. If the offense becomes more consistent as a result, LSU’s path to the Playoff won’t be that much of a shock.