After four straight 10-win seasons, LSU slid down to the middle of the road in the SEC West last year as two Mississippi schools made their rise.
LSU's 8-5 campaign was marked by bouts of frustration and promise on both sides of the ball—this was a program that dropped its first two SEC games but later knocked off a previously unbeaten Ole Miss team at home.
While the Tigers lost several defensive talents to the next level, most of the offense returns for what hopes to be a much better season in Baton Rouge. The biggest question at the most important role on the team will hang over Death Valley early in the season, but better performance could truly unlock the superstar talent at the skill positions.
On defense, the Tigers will have to battle some questions of their own in the wake of their coordinator's sudden move to a division rival. An elite unit still has room to improve, and several fresh faces could either make or break LSU's success in 2015.
What does the upcoming season hold for the LSU Tigers, a team fighting to get back into the championship picture? Here are Bleacher Report's complete preview and predictions for the Bayou Bengals.
Coaches
The biggest story in Baton Rouge this offseason was the departure of veteran defensive coordinator John Chavis to SEC West-rival Texas A&M. "The Chief" was the architect of several SEC-leading defenses during his seven-season tenure in Baton Rouge.
Fans saw Chavis' replacement, Kevin Steele, as an underwhelming hire. The former Alabama assistant hadn't been a coordinator since 2011, when his Clemson defense surrendered 70 points in his last game in charge.
He also comes from a primarily 3-4 defensive system from his most recent job at Alabama, and the Tigers could start shifting from the 4-3 to that look as early as this season, according to James Smith of NOLA.com.
But Steele brings a lot of experience with him as an assistant at several college powerhouses and the NFL's Carolina Panthers, and he also brings new defensive line coach Ed Orgeron.
"Coach O" was a welcome move for the Bayou Bengals, as the former LSU player and veteran coach is known for his excellence at coaching defensive fronts, recruiting prowess and high energy.
"Our individual drills are NFL stuff and we start them full speed and end them even faster," defensive tackle Davon Godchaux said, per Ron Higgins of NOLA.com. "When we first started doing them at that speed, we were like, 'Is this man crazy?' Then we realized he's not crazy. ... He's coached players like Warren Sapp. When he hollers, I listen."
The other new addition to Les Miles' veteran staff is wide receivers coach Tony Ball, who has 30 years of experience coaching at the collegiate level. Ball came from Georgia, where he coached receivers for the last six seasons.
He will be tasked with helping offensive coordinator Cam Cameron reignite a dormant LSU offense that has plenty of potential. Like Orgeron, Ball is a high-energy presence for the Tigers.
"Coach Ball is more up-tempo," wide receiver Malachi Dupre told Ross Dellenger of the Advocate. "I don't want to say up in your face, but just more on the field…just has a lot of energy."
What to watch for on offense
Lackluster offense received most of the blame in LSU's 8-5 campaign last season, and the criticisms were plenty valid. The Tigers were ranked 13th in the SEC in scoring offense—only beating out cellar-dweller Vanderbilt—and were held to fewer than 14 points in three of their five losses.
The problems centered on the quarterback situation, and the battle between junior Anthony Jennings and sophomore Brandon Harris is still raging during fall practices. Neither signal-caller inspired much confidence last season as LSU had the worst passing attack in the entire conference at an average of only 163 yards.
While Jennings has more experience—Harris only attempted one pass after his abysmal start at Auburn last season—Miles recently said the sophomore is currently the leader for the starting job in 2015:
According to Bleacher Report's Christopher Walsh, Cameron said Harris has made "great improvement" this offseason, while Miles said the difference was "night and day" from the loss at Auburn.
If Harris can indeed be a stronger dual-threat quarterback for LSU this season, the Tigers have plenty of talent he can utilize in the skill positions.
Superstar sophomore running back Leonard Fournette, a former No. 1 overall recruit, will look to build upon his 1,034-yard freshman campaign with a season that could end with some major hardware.
According to Odds Shark, Fournette is in elite company right now with the same Heisman Trophy odds as Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, Georgia running back Nick Chubb and USC quarterback Cody Kessler.
Fournette will be able to stay fresh in LSU's ground-and-pound offense this season with several talented backups, including Darrel Williams, Derrius Guice, Nick Brossette and David Ducre—a fullback who could also line up as a power running back.
"What we've always tried to do is have our backs be fresh, guys that could give their greatest effort on every play that they're in," Miles said, per Jim Kleinpeter of NOLA.com. "There's reason to say that Leonard could be that 20-carry (per game) back, but I think there's a point in time, too, where you don't want to wear him out, and you do not want an injury."
Travin Dural leads the receiving corps after catching 37 passes for 758 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Malachi Dupre and John Diarse are also set to return to their starting roles, and Miles said last month "you just can't afford to not play" Trey Quinn, per Dellenger.
On the offensive line, Vadal Alexander is back at right tackle after playing the last two seasons on the interior. Jerald Hawkins flipped to the quarterback's blind side at left tackle after nailing down the right tackle spot in 2013 and 2014.
"It's my natural position," Hawkins said, per Kleinpeter. "I love everything about it. I feel like I can be more physical than last year. I'm just trying to get better."
Junior Ethan Pocic will slide to left guard this season as redshirt freshman Will Clapp takes over at center. According to Kleinpeter, Pocic has the ability to play all five positions on the offensive line, and he'll be the leader for a unit that includes massive junior Josh Bouette at right guard.
What to watch for on defense
LSU has the starting talent to push through the transition it will have from Chavis to Steele, but depth could be an issue in a number of areas this fall.
The Tigers return defensive tackles Christian LaCouture and Davon Godchaux this season. Both players started double-digit games last season and will help shore up a defense that allowed 4.32 yards per carry in 2014.
Senior Quentin Thomas is back from injury to claim a key reserve role behind the two after the offseason departures of Maquedius Bain, Trey Lealaimatafao and Travonte Valentine. LSU will need bigger production from hyped underclassmen Frank Herron and Greg Gilmore.
Defensive ends are a different story, as the Tigers must replace their top performers in a unit that didn't get a ton of sacks last season. Miles has listed Tashawn Bower and Lewis Neal as his starting defensive ends, but a pair of true freshmen could easily break into the rotation this fall.
"We’re not going to be fearful to play some freshmen. This Arden Key, I think, is a guy we’re going to have to give a look to," Miles said, per Dellenger. "I like this Isaiah Washington, guy has more athleticism and speed. Gives us a chance to get on the field and pass rush. Arden Key has reminded to me of a young [Barkevious] Mingo."
Kendell Beckwith became an overnight sensation for the LSU defense at linebacker last season, starting the final seven games and still finishing second on the team in tackles. He also added 5.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and an interception.
Beckwith will most likely lead a four-man rotation at linebacker with fellow returning starter Lamar Louis and a combination of Deion Jones and Duke Riley. While it lacks established depth—reserve Devin Voorhees was moved from safety to linebacker this offseason—this unit has a ton of speed and experience.
LSU's defensive backs looked to be the deepest, strongest group on the team heading into the season, but a serious injury to senior safety Jalen Mills is a sizable loss at the moment for "DBU."
Rickey Jefferson is now set to be a starter in place of Mills, according to Dellenger, and he'll line up next to Jamal Adams, who started a pair of games as a true freshman last season. Corey Thompson will play behind the two safeties.
The cornerbacks took an interesting turn during fall practice as Dwayne Thomas has taken the lead for a starting spot opposite Tre'Davious White, per David Ching of ESPN.com. Thomas, a former dime back and safety, is still battling with highly touted underclassmen Ed Paris, Kevin Toliver II and Donte Jackson.
"I knew probably from Day 1 that I had to push these guys, but coming out here and making a lot of plays, I knew that Raymond would look towards me and be like he wants somebody out there that he trusts and that can be consistent and make plays," Thomas told Ching.
Injury news
The lone major injury at LSU right now is the one suffered by senior safety Jalen Mills, who has started three straight seasons for the Tigers.
Mills suffered an ankle injury in practice on Aug. 19, and the initial reports had him out for four to six weeks—leaving a possibility for a return in the SEC opener against Auburn.
But Miles said Tuesday that Mills underwent surgery on the injured leg and will be out for "at least six weeks."
"I’m still harboring personal feelings that we can get him back sooner rather than later," Miles said, per Dellenger. "We don’t know exactly how soon [he’ll return]."
Without Mills, the LSU defense loses its most experienced player and a leader in a secondary that ranked third nationally in passing yards allowed per game last season. LSU has some depth to manage without him, but Mills' extended absence is undoubtedly a big blow to the defense.
X-factor
Speed is the name of the game for LSU cornerback Donte Jackson, who was a borderline 4-star/5-star recruit in the class of 2015.
The athlete won Louisiana's state title in the 100-meter dash each of his last two years in high school—and his last win came with an unbelievable time of 10.30 seconds, per Sonny Shipp of 247Sports.
Jackson's elite gift makes him a strong candidate to play early and often at LSU, and coaches say he could play on offense, defense and special teams this season. He is currently in position battles at corner and returner.
"We look at what Patrick [Peterson] did in the NFL playing receiver, playing defense, and we kick ourselves," running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Frank Wilson told Kleinpeter. "We knew he had those abilities. ... Coach Miles made a vow not to let that happen again when we have someone with that type of ability. Certainly we see [Jackson] as that type of player."
Jackson will focus on being a defensive back first and foremost this season, especially with the shuffling the Tigers had to do in the wake of Mills' injury. But expect to see the coaching staff find ways to get this true freshman the ball in 2015.
Make-or-break games
LSU gets an early shot at revenge this season as it travels to Mississippi State in the second week of the season. After what should be a warmup win over McNeese State, the Tigers will open the SEC campaign against Dak Prescott and a reloading Bulldogs team in Starkville.
With a win over Mississippi State, the Bayou Bengals will have some momentum heading into their major home game against Auburn. A road loss, however, could line up a potential 1-2 start for Miles and Co. when Gus Malzahn's Tigers visit Death Valley in Week 3.
After what looks to be a manageable run through the middle of the season, LSU will get a big off week on Halloween ahead of its annual slugfest against Alabama. Both teams have question marks at quarterback, but they'll be more or less answered for a game that has gone in favor of the Tide four straight times.
While the Arkansas and Ole Miss contests will undoubtedly be important, put a special circle around the regular-season finale against Texas A&M—the "Chavis Classic." LSU will face its former defensive coordinator and look for a fourth straight win over the high-powered Aggie offense.
The emotions and bowl stakes should be huge for this contest, and it could play a major role in someone's title hopes.
Prediction: 9-3 (5-3 SEC)
With a decent quarterback, LSU's offense has the potential to bounce back in a big way this season. The Tigers have a Heisman contender at running back, several experienced receivers and a few veterans on the offensive line.
On defense, the depth issues are concerning, as LSU will open the season with only five returning starters and a brand-new coordinator. The talent up top is established, but several unproven players will have to grow up quickly in order for the Tigers to keep that elite level of defense going after Chavis.
The quarterback's performance in the Mississippi State game will have a big effect on how the SEC season shakes out for the Tigers, because Prescott still has several big-play weapons he can use in Starkville. An Auburn team that should be stronger on defense after a 41-7 win last season could be too much for a transitioning team early in the year.
Right now, with the quarterback situation still yet to be resolved and a few potential problems in the defense, I don't see this LSU team emerging as one of the top contenders in the SEC West. I have the Tigers falling to the top three teams in the division—Auburn, at Alabama and at Ole Miss—with home-field advantage winning out in matchups against Arkansas and Texas A&M.
What looks like a possible five-game winning streak in the middle of the season could spur LSU to pull off a win over the likes of Alabama or Ole Miss, but an early slump has the potential to lead into some tough home losses or surprise road defeats.
LSU will improve this season on offense and in the win column, but the changes on defense may hold the Tigers back from seriously contending for titles in 2015.
Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com.
Justin Ferguson is a college football writer at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.