No. 5: LSU Tigers

Tigers have a daunting path in SEC West. They also have sharp claws.

Remember when LSU dueled Alabama for supremacy? It was a rivalry that peaked in 2011, when the SEC West juggernauts met in the BCS championship game.

The Tigers have fallen from grace since then, overshadowed not only by the Crimson Tide but also Georgia and other SEC programs since the decline of Les ``Mad Hatter’’ Miles.

But now there are reasons to think Ed Orgeron, the home-grown Cajun, has the Bayou Tigers poised for great things.

The talent base has been restored to the point where respected coordinator Dave Aranda figures to have a top-notch defense. And the offense oozes talent at the skill positions, with expectations that four returnees will improve on the offensive line.

Quarterback Joe Burrow, an Ohio State transfer, is coming off a big year (2,894 yards and 16 touchdowns passing) that has created anticipation that the Tigers have a shot at building on last year’s 10-3 mark, which included losses to Florida, Alabama and Texas A&M (74-72!), plus wins over Auburn, Georgia and Central Florida.

In other words, on any given Saturday. . .

A Sept. 7 trip to Texas will tell a lot. Florida also is on the schedule along with SEC West stalwarts Auburn, Alabama and Texas A&M.

There are bunch of challenges. And plenty of opportunity. Sure looks like LSU is poised for a big year.