What sports pundits are saying about LSU’s 2016 championship odds

The case for a championship:

“Bold predictions: LSU will win the SEC … and play for the national championship. I just can’t get over the talent coming back in Baton Rouge and the fact quality defensive coordinator Dave Aranda is taking over a defense packed with power. The offense will be more explosive as Cam Cameron tweaks things and gets Brandon Harris more comfortable. With most of his line back and Malachi Dupre and Travin Dural returning, Harris will be better and he’ll hit nearly 3,000 passing yards. And Fournette is still around … and angry.”
–ESPN’s Ed Aschoff

“If they can win the first game [against Wisconsin], they’ll win the SEC. I think LSU has the goods. They’ll lose a game and maybe two, but they’re going to win the SEC in my opinion this year.”
–Fox Sports’ Tim Brando

“If LSU can temper the predictability of what will always be a run-oriented offense, and (new defensive coordinator Dave) Aranda’s defense comes close to his level of success at Wisconsin, the Tigers will be a bona fide championship contender.”
–SportingNews.com

“They will battle Alabama for the title of nation’s top defense. The only question is at QB. None of their five away games are against a team in my Top 15. Plus, they get ’Bama and Ole Miss at home.”
–College football insider Phil Steele

“From a skill standpoint, [Les Miles will have an offense] probably as good physically as he’s had. They’ve got a great group of wide receivers, they might have the best running back in the country, and they’ve got a quarterback [Brandon Harris] that I don’t think a lot of people realize how talented he is. … [LSU] is going to run the ball between the tackles. That’s their game. After what they faced in Tuscaloosa a year ago, that style of football didn’t work in that environment. I think it comes down to, are they going to be more aggressive, are they willing to take some chances, are they willing to kind of be in more attack-mode offensively? … You can still run the ball and be in more of an attack mode. I think if they flip that switch, they’re going to be tough to beat for a lot of people in the SEC.”
–ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit