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College Football Playoff: Top Legitimate Contenders

By Eric Robinson

Nov 21, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) waits for a play to begin during the first quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) waits for a play to begin during the first quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

                                                     LSU Tigers

Year in and year out, the Tigers deploy NFL products, but time after time, the team finds themselves on the outside looking in on the national championship picture.

LSU Tigers
LSU Tigers /

LSU Tigers

This season may be different but of course, one main question still lingers: Is

Brandon Harris

the guy at QB? He was serviceable last season with 2,165 yards and 13 touchdowns last season but in order for LSU to go far, he has to take that next step as a passer.

He has NFL-caliber receivers in Travin Dural (28 catches, 533 yards, 3 TDs) and Malachi Dupre (43 catches, 698 yards, 6 TDs) plus a Heisman candidate behind him in phenom Leonard Fournette, who rushed for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns last season.

The presence of key linemen such as center Ethan Pocic provides solid protection for Harris and running lanes for Fournette and dynamic backup Derrius Guice (51 carries, 493 yards, three touchdowns)

New defensive coordinator Dave Aranda comes over from Wisconsin, and he may be drooling with the amount of talent in Baton Rouge this season.

Senior middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith (73 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks) gives the unit a nucleus and having arguably the best safety in the country in Jamal Adams (63 tackles, four INTs, six pass breakups) is never a burden.

Sep 12, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs tight end Gus Walley (19) is tackled by LSU Tigers linebacker Kendell Beckwith (52) during the second half at Davis Wade Stadium. LSU won 21-19. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs tight end Gus Walley (19) is tackled by LSU Tigers linebacker Kendell Beckwith (52) during the second half at Davis Wade Stadium. LSU won 21-19. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Placing edge rusher Arden Key (38 tackles, four sacks) at the BUCK position allows Key to utilize his speed and chase ball carriers. The unit was 25th overall last season and the arrival of Aranda could make the unit even better.

LSU will definitely be battle tested if they reach the College Football Playoff. Opening the season with Wisconsin will test the new 3-4 defensive scheme for LSU. Road games at Auburn, at Florida, at Arkansas, and at Texas A&M will not be easy.

Neither will home games versus Alabama and Ole Miss. Buckle the chin-strap Tiger fans.

Next: Contender #7

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