In conjunction with the 2015 Southeastern Conference Media Days, this is the first of a three-part series looking at LSU’s SEC opponents for the 2015 season. The opponents will appear in chronological order of the 2015 schedule.
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
Last year’s results: 10-3, 6-2 SEC; Lost to Georgia Tech in the Capital One Orange Bowl
Returning starters: 5 on offense, 4 on defense
2015 date with LSU: Saturday, Sept. 12, Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss.(8:15 p.m. on ESPN)
Last meeting with LSU: Sept. 20, 2014: Despite a fourth-quarter rally by quarterback Brandon Harris and the Tigers, which cut a 24-point deficit to five, the Bulldogs dominated most of the week five matchup with LSU and held on to 34-29 victory. Dak Prescott established himself as one of the premier quarterbacks in the conference with a 15-for-24 clip for 268 yards and two touchdowns through the air while notching 118 yards and another score on the ground. Mississippi State running back Josh Robinson led all rushers with 197 yards, attributing to the most yards given up by the LSU defense all season. It was also the first win by the Bulldogs in Tiger Stadium since 1991.
Major storyline facing Mississippi State in 2015: How far can Prescott take the Bulldogs? There’s no question the All-SEC senior quarterback is one of the best in the conference. But with so many players to replace on both sides of the ball, it may come down Prescott’s heroics each week. The Bulldogs lose Prescott’s backfield mate, Robinson, who was not only their leading rusher but was also reliable as a receiver. Fortunately for Mississippi State, though, leading receiver De’Runnya Wilson returns. Defensively, top defensive lineman Preston Smith and top linebacker Benardrick McKinney are gone and the secondary is coming off a league-worst passing yards per game average in 2014. Mississippi State should be a challenge for LSU and the rest of the SEC, but Prescott can’t do it by himself.
AUBURN UNIVERSITY 
Last year’s results: 8-5, 4-4 SEC; Lost to Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl
Returning starters: 4 on offense, 8 on defense
2015 date with LSU: Saturday, Sept. 19, Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge (2:30 p.m. on CBS)
Last meeting with LSU: Oct. 4, 2014: With Harris making his first ever start in purple and gold, Auburn dominated all facets of the game, walking away with a 41-7 win at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall accumulated for more than 300 total yards to match four scores, targeting receiver Sammie Coates for 144 yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile, Harris went just 3-for-14 for 58 yards before being replaced by Anthony Jennings, who was just 5-for-10 for 84 yards in mop-up duty. It was the worst loss of the season for LSU and the first time it lost its first two SEC games of the season under Les Miles.
Major storyline facing Auburn University in 2015: Is Jeremy Johnson the real deal? Under Gus Malzahn’s direction, Marshall became one of the most lethal weapons in the SEC. Now Johnson gets the reigns to the Auburn up-tempo offense, and the expectations are just as high. He has great size, some experience and one of the league’s best receivers in D’haquille “Duke” Williams. If the stable of running backs and Auburn’s new-look defense under coordinator Will Muschamp are present, Johnson and Auburn could be one of the favorites in the SEC West.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Last year’s results: 7-6, 3-5 SEC; Beat Miami in Duck Commander Independence Bowl
Returning starters: 4 on offense, 8 on defense
2015 date with LSU: Saturday, Oct. 10, Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina (TBA)
Last meeting with LSU: Oct. 13, 2012: In a battle of top-10 foes, LSU extended a streak of 22-straight home wins and rebounded from a road loss to Florida the previous week with a 23-21 victory against the Gamecocks. The Tigers swarmed South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw to the tune of four sacks and allowed Gamecock running back Marcus Lattimore to gain just 35 yards on 13 carries. LSU running back Jeremy Hill torched South Carolina for 124 yards and two touchdowns, including a 50-yard score in the fourth quarter.
Major storyline facing University of South Carolina in 2015: Can the Gamecock defense improve? South Carolina has to replace both starting quarterback, who was a leading passer in the SEC, and starting running back Mike Davis. Those are tall tasks as is, but the strength this season could lie in last year’s weakness. With eight starters returning to a defense that was near the bottom of the league in total defense, the Gamecocks should see a boost on that side of the ball with the addition of co-defensive coordinator Jon Hoke.
You can reach James Bewers on Twitter @JamesBewers_TDR.