LSU's Ability to Outlast Top Opponents in Tight Games Makes Them True National Title Contenders

Is there anyone that can stop the LSU Tigers?

With LSU's tightly contested 23-20 victory over the Auburn Tigers Saturday, they now improve to 8-0 on the year, continuing to themeselves to every last skeptic. Despite already having played three highly-ranked schools in Texas, Florida, and Auburn, the Bayou Bengals always seems to find a way to win no matter the circumstances. And that tenacity and drive is the mark of a legitimate national championship contender.

In so many ways, you can attribute a lot of LSU's success this year to offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger and passing game coordinator Joe Brady. They've both done a phenomenal job in unlocking quarterback Joe Burrow's true potential in the spread offense. Not only has Burrow emerged as a true Heisman candidate in the process, he also looks like a legitimate potential first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

But it's not all about pitching the ball around the park. This team can engineer wins in a number of ways.

Over the past few years, LSU has had some great workhorse running backs in Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice. Now, they have yet another one in Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who is averaging over six yards per rushing attempt and has an awesome 683 yards on the ground to date.

His can't-stop-won't-stop attitude has been huge for Ed Orgeron's team in their grittier victories, particularly against Florida and Auburn.

With LSU's defense being shaky at times, it's the offense that has helped the Tigers outlast their opponents this season, and it's the reason why they have emerged as potent Playoff candidates. They'll be able to hang with the elite offenses like Alabama's and Ohio State's with guys like Burrow and Edwards-Helaire producing game-changing plays week after week.

LSU looks legit, and we'll get a chance to see just how legit they are when they clash against Bama next Saturday. Mark those calendars, folks.