LSU Football: Breaking Down the No. 2 Ranking in ESPN Preseason Poll

The LSU Tigers have wrapped up spring practice and have already begun preparing for the regular season with hopes of returning to the national championship.

Before the season actually begins, polls are released that rank the top 25 teams currently in college football. Before the official polls are released, ESPN has decided to put out a preseason top-25 poll that ranks the top 25 teams in their opinion.

The defending national champions are No. 3 in the poll, USC takes the No. 1 spot overall and the LSU Tigers are right in the middle at No. 2.

I'm a believer in the champion beginning the season No. 1, so LSU above Alabama to start the season is something I don't agree with. But there are only a couple of teams that would likely be able to knock off Alabama from their throne and the Tigers are one of them.

This team may be more talented than last year's team was, especially if they can develop a passing game. Don't be surprised if the Tigers return to the national championship this year and take care of some unfinished business.

by R. Chambers, bleacher report