“The Fournette Show”: Why LSU is a Favorite to Win the SEC

No. 13 LSU returned to the Bayou for its first official home game of the season as the Tigers destroyed No. 18 Auburn 45-21, earning its second conference win of the season.

Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) breaks away from Auburn Tigers cornerback Ed Paris (24) for a touchdown during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off of a close 21-19 victory on the road against Mississippi State, sophomore running back Leonard Fournette led the Tigers to victory, running for a dazzling 228 yards and three touchdowns in a stellar performance as a favorite for the Heisman Trophy.

The Tigers (2-0) sent a strong message in the SEC on Saturday afternoon, with the 2015 season just beginning to unfold.

With Fournette, a solid defensive line and secondary plus other players that have big playmaking ability on offense and defense, LSU has all the tools to compete for the SEC Championship and a National Championship.

Consider these facts:

LSU Beats Auburn Behind Dominant Fournette

SEC media picked LSU to finish third behind Alabama and Auburn in the preseason. Three weeks in to the season, No. 2 Alabama lost to No. 15 Ole Miss 43-37 at home.

With LSU securing the win over Auburn and Ole Miss passing an early road test against the Crimson Tide, the SEC West division remains wide open.

One thing is for sure, LSU will certainly be in the mix.

LSU fans could easily see the Tigers go 7-0 before a series of critical SEC West battles in November, that start with Alabama on Nov. 7.

LSU faces Syracuse on the road next week before returning home to play Eastern Michigan. Then, the Tigers travel to South Carolina in the second week of October and then return home for two games against Florida and Western Kentucky; before a much-needed bye week on Oct. 31.

Sep 12, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Brandon Harris (6) during the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi State 21-19. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

The biggest question mark for LSU lies in its sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris.

It is key that he continues to grow in the position every week, especially as he prepares to really compete against the better teams of the SEC.

Auburn vs. LSU 2015: Leonard Fournette highlights (Video)

If Fournette continues to lead this team, Harris should not have much pressure on him, at least for the next two weeks.

As conference play becomes more intense, Harris and the Tigers will be tested. LSU relies on its running game and solid defense to win games.

For teams, specifically in the SEC, that have talent on defense to match the Tigers’ offensive line and fire power at the running back position, LSU may struggle on offense.

After watching Fournette’s performance this week and last week against Mississippi State, however, the Tigers should continue to have success. Harris still needs to improve each week.

LSU should beat Syracuse and Eastern Michigan over the next two weeks. Because of the nature of competition in the SEC, every game matters.

As long as the Tigers stay focused, they should defeat South Carolina on the road, Florida and Western Kentucky before the big matchup with Alabama.

LSU should enter November at 6-1 or 7-0. The Tigers must pass four tests in the month of November to really solidify their chances of being a contender for the SEC West and a shot at a national championship.

Oct 11, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; A view of the college football playoff national championship trophy before the game between the Baylor Bears and the TCU Horned Frogs at McLane Stadium. The Bears defeat Horned Frogs 61-58. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Their first test is Alabama on the road, Arkansas at home, Ole Miss on the road and ending the season against Texas A&M at home. As of now, three of the four teams sit in the Top 25 and will likely remain that way as the season continues.

With Fournette having a stellar year and two wins against SEC West opponents at this point in the season, LSU is a favorite to win the SEC West and to win a conference championship, something they have not done since 2011…..