In conjunction with the 2015 Southeastern Conference Media Days, this is the second 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.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Last year’s results: 7-5, 4-4 SEC; Defeated East Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl
Returning starters: 4 on offense, 6 on defense
2015 date with LSU: Saturday, Oct. 17, Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge (TBA)
Last meeting with LSU: Oct. 11, 2014: In a game LSU desperately needed, a 50-yard, career-long boot from Tiger kicker Colby Delahoussaye, who still has three seasons left at LSU, was the difference in a 30-27 win against the Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium  in Gainesville, Florida. The Tigers, though, needed an interception by cornerback Rickey Jefferson to kill a Florida drive with less than 60 seconds remaining. But the story of the game was LSU running back Leonard Fournette’s coming out party, as he rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns. The win was the first SEC victory of the year for the Tigers and was coach Les Miles’ 100th win at LSU.
Major storyline facing Florida in 2015: Can new coach Jim McElwain get the Gators back on track? Former Florida coach Will Muschamp’s days in Gainesville were numbered before the 2014 season began. By the final two games of the regular season, the athletic department was ready for a change. Now, McElwain, a former Alabama offensive coordinator, steps in with a young team lacking depth. Question marks still remain concerning the quarterback and offensive line, but the majority of their tough games come at home. It could be a rough year for McElwain, but, in the SEC East, anything is possible.
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Last year’s results: 12-2, 7-1 SEC; Lost to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl 
Returning starters: 4 on offense, 7 on defense
2015 date with LSU: Saturday, Nov. 7, Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (TBA)
Last meeting with LSU: Nov. 8, 2014: The word “gut-wrenching” probably doesn’t best describe the Tigers’ fourth straight loss to the Crimson Tide last season. After an Alabama fumble inside the 10-yard line, LSU appeared to be in position to slam the door on the Tide in a 10-10 game. But a personal foul penalty pushed the Tigers outside of the red zone, resulting in just a field goal. Alabama was then able to drive down the field after an errant kickoff and send the game into overtime with a field goal of its own. On the first overtime possession, Tide quarterback Blake Sims tossed a 6-yard touchdown pass to DeAndrew White, providing the difference for 20-13 win. 
Major storyline facing Alabama in 2015: Is it Jacob Coker’s job to lose? After transferring from Florida State, many thought the senior quarterback was the heir-apparent to A.J. McCarron, who led the Tide to two national titles. But the more seasoned Sims won the job in 2014 and led Alabama to the College Football Playoff Semifinal. If Coker is ready for the leap in 2015, he’ll need to beat out a stable promising young gunslinger in Tuscaloosa, including redshirt freshman David Cornwell. If coach Nick Saban gets the kind of quarterback play he’s come to expect, the Tide will once again be a force to be reckon with in the SEC West.

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Emily Brauner

Florida head coach, Jim McElwain, hosts a Q&A during SEC Media Days on Monday, July 13, 2015 in Hoover, Alabama.