LSU and Louisiana Tech are set to meet for the 21st time on Saturday as the Tigers host the Bulldogs. The only win for Tech in the series came back in 1904, a 6-0 win for the Bulldogs.
LSU is looking to extend its win streak to 17 games in the series.
Here are main storylines for Saturday's in-state showdown:
LSU playing to the standard
LSU is a 37.5 point favorite in its home opener, but the human element comes into play. The Tigers spent the last eight months preparing to beat Clemson. They did it, so how much of let down will there be to play an inferior opponent that you are supposed to beat by five touchdowns.
LSU Coach Brian Kelly has told his players every Saturday there is a standard and he wants his players to live up to that standard.
“Can I go out there as if this was Clemson, Florida or Alabama, they have to come up with the understanding that it’s on them to do this, we can’t drive them as coaches, they have to drive themselves,” Kelly said.
La Tech’s defense presents a test to LSU
Louisiana Tech hasn’t been winning many games lately, 2019 was their last winning season, but they have built a good defense.
The Bulldogs ranked 12th in total defense last year and last week against Southeastern Louisiana, they held the Lions to less than three yards a rush and less than five yards a pass play.
It’s a good game for LSU to keep working on its run game. We all know that sophomore Caden Durham is the man, but who is that second guy that LSU can count on. Is it Kaleb Jackson, Harlem Berry or JuJuan Johnson? Jackson and Berry each got one carry last week.
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier took what the defense gave him last week, so not many throws down field. Will he look to connect on a few deep passes on Saturday night? Chris Hilton had just one catch last week.
Related
Get ready to hear Kolbe Fields’ name
There are several former Louisiana Tech assistants that are now on LSU’s coaching staff. Both LSU coordinators, Joe Sloan and Blake Baker, were on Tech’s staff just a few years ago. Legendary Louisiana Tech quarterback Tim Rattay is now an offensive analyst for LSU.
Former LSU Tiger Kolbe Fields is Louisiana Tech’s best player on defense and in the preseason he was named the defensive player of the year for Conference USA.
The former Rummel High standout went to South Carolina after high school. Transferred to LSU for the 2022 season and recorded only four tackles as a backup linebacker.
He sat out the 2023 season when he transferred to Louisiana Tech and in 2024 emerged as one of the best players in Conference USA. Fields started off 2025 strong as he had 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks last week against Southeastern Louisiana.
LSU offensive line
We never saw that rotation that Kelly said we could see of offensive linemen rotating in against Clemson. Starting left tackle Tyree Adams left the game momentarily last Saturday and D.J. Chester came in to play left tackle, but that was it as far as substitutions.
Will we see more of back-ups Coen Echols, Carius Curne, and Chester in this game?
Weeks brothers
This game should be decided in the second half. If LSU has a big lead, will Kelly put true freshman Zach Weeks into the game at linebacker to play alongside is older brothers West Weeks and Whit Weeks. If it does happen, it will be the first time in LSU history that three brothers played on the field at the same time.
Look for numbers 40, 33 and 35 to possibly be on the field at the same time. If not, it could happen in two weeks when the Tigers host Southeastern Louisiana.
Prediction
I like LSU to win 45-10.