SEC Football: Way-too-early 2015 Power Rankings

Dec 30, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Music City Bowl at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

No. 8: LSU Tigers

2014 Finish: 8-5, 4-4 SEC, 5th in SEC West
Key Losses: RB Terrence Magee, RB Kenny Hilliard, OL Vadal Alexander, OL La’el Collins, DL Danielle Hunter, DL Jermauria Rasco, LB Kwon Alexander, LB D.J. Welter, DB Jalen Mills, DB Jalen Collins, DB Ronald Martin
2015 Recruiting Class: 10th in nation (17 commits)
2015 Prediction: 5th in SEC West

If Les Miles wants to get this team back to the top of the Western Division, he’s going to have to solve this ongoing problem at quarterback, and that doesn’t look to happen in 2015. Just as last season, Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris will battle it out to see who can make the least dumb mistakes.

But the big problem for this year’s Tigers will be on defense, where they are losing the majority of their secondary, and a number of other key players on defense. If LSU can’t compete defensively, which is what has kept them in so many games, it’s going to be a long year in Baton Rouge.

Miles still brings in top recruits, and the Tigers still have RB Leonard Fournette, who can make up for a lot of poor play at quarterback, but making a move upward this year seems unlikely.

Next: Texas A&M