The Fix: 5 questions facing LSU in 2014
The Fix is a look at major storylines following this year's top college contenders, and how teams will handle these challenges heading into the season.
The LSU Tigers are now six years removed from their last national title win, but the team enters this upcoming season with hope in the form of the top recruit in the country.
Maneuvering their way through the always-tough SEC West will be tricky, and their schedule doesn't do them any favors, but the Tigers will have as much talent on the offensive side of the football as we've seen in Baton Rouge in quite some time, and their defense again projects to be one of the elite units in the nation.
Here are five questions facing LSU entering the 2014 season:
Is this still an elite program?
This question wouldn't come up if the Tigers played in the SEC East, but in the SEC West, LSU has a lot of work to do to get back on top.
LSU lost three times for the second consecutive season last year, and has now lost three consecutive games against Alabama, including the 2012 BCS National Championship Game.
The team last hoisted the Coaches' Trophy in 2008, and they didn't do themselves any favors in putting an end to that streak by arranging a difficult schedule, taking to the road for games against Wisconsin, Auburn, Florida, and Texas A&M, though they do get Alabama at home off a bye.
Will Leonard Fournette live up to the hype?
He comes to Baton Rouge as the No. 1 running back recruit in the nation, having already drawn comparisons to Adrian Peterson. For that reason, Leonard Fournette will have some lofty expectations to live up to in his home state of Louisiana.
Jeremy Hill is gone, but Fournette will still likely have to share carries with two or three other backs, including two returning seniors in Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard, and another strong freshman in Darrell Williams.
Even still, Fournette's combination of size, speed, and elusiveness certainly give him the potential to do something special in his freshman season.
La'el Collins's decision to return for his senior season is a big boost to the Tiger offensive line, and will mean more holes for Fournette to run through.
Can Zach Mettenberger be replaced?
The track record of LSU quarterbacks is hardly exceptional. Even Zach Mettenberger didn't enjoy a ton of success while at the helm.
Now the job will fall to either freshman Brandon Harris or sophomore Anthony Jennings, with Hayden Rettig, a redshirt freshman from California, in the mix as well.
Harris looked to take the lead in the team's quarterback battle with a strong spring game, completing 11-of-28 passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns, leading all rushers with 75 yards on six attempts.
Does the Mad Hatter have any tricks up his sleeve?
Not only does Mettenberger need to be replaced, but so too does standout running back Jeremy Hill, in addition to seven other starters from last year's 10-3 squad.
The presence of Cam Cameron as offensive coordinator will help on that side of the ball, but given their tough schedule and other limitations, this feels like the kind of season in which Les Miles will need to reach deep into his bag of tricks if the team is to be successful.
Will Luke Boyd see the field?
Luke Boyd's story is a good one. The 27-year-old walk-on served five years as an active-duty Marine, including six months in Afghanistan. He was also a guest at the 2012 NFL Draft. In full military uniform, Boyd announced the Seattle Seahawks' third-round pick: Russell Wilson.
He walked on with the Tigers last season and, while he dressed for home games, he never saw the field. He will be looking to see the field on special-teams this upcoming season.