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College football 2018: Biggest X-factor on every Top 25 team

By Derek Grochowski

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 05: Quarterback Joe Burrow (10) of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs the football during an NCAA football game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 05, 2016, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Khris Hale/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 05: Quarterback Joe Burrow (10) of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs the football during an NCAA football game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 05, 2016, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Khris Hale/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

23. Joe Burrow, LSU Tigers

This LSU team feels similar to recent year’s teams. The Tigers are strong on defense but they are lacking a little of the offensive firepower to make them a major threat in the SEC. They lost some big names but fans should be confident in their replacements. LSU may be young and raw but they have the physical traits to be molded into highly effective players. They will get a big test to open the season. Sunday night in primetime the Tigers will be taking on the Miami Hurricanes. This will be a good test to see how the defense plugged its holes and if the offense is capable of keeping the team afloat.

The quarterback competition is not set just yet but it looks more and more like Ohio State transfer Joe Burrow will emerge as the starter. If he can emerge with the starting position he will be LSU’s x-factor. Last year LSU quarterback Danny Etling had a fine season. He played smart and safe. He finished the year with just two interceptions. Burrow brings more arm talent which is great for LSU but he also brings a little more inaccuracy. Etling was able to also throw for 16 touchdowns last season. If LSU can successfully add an air attack to their game they will be much improved.

LSU has been known as a run-first team. 2018 will not be any different but adding a better passing attack will make them that much more dangerous in the SEC and top teams like Georgia and Alabama will need to be careful.

The schedule this year is tough for the Tigers. They will find themselves in games where they need to air it out to make up points. Joe Burrow will be the guy responsible for finding the talented wide receivers and winning games in the air. If he struggles as their x-factor LSU could pull the plug and try a different quarterback but it could be too late to save the season.