The feeling heading into Sunday night’s top ten matchup between 5th ranked LSU and 8th ranked Florida State is that the Tigers will be able to score some points against the Seminoles.
The Tigers have a fifth-year senior QB, a talented group of wide receivers, an experienced offensive line and numerous running backs that can either make big plays or get tough yards.
But can LSU’s defense slow down Florida State’s offense, even though they have several new receivers this season?
LSU has new cornerbacks; and one of them appears to be Sage Ryan, who has previously served as a nickel back for LSU. But coach Brian Kelly likes Ryan’s speed and his ability to tackle in open space. He’s still getting reps at nickel, but don’t be surprised if he’s one of the two starting cornerbacks on Sunday.
Linebacker Harold Perkins was a dynamic player on the perimeter last season, and he’s expected to have a huge sophomore campaign after an eye-popping freshman season that saw him record 7.5 sacks.
LSU Coach Brian Kelly says you’ll still see him rush the passer, but they also want him attacking running backs and tight ends. The bottom line is that Kelly wants Perkins to become an all-around great linebacker and he’ll have to be a player that opposing offenses will account for before every play.
“He’s going to move around, you won’t see him lining up in the middle of our defense, it’s going to be, 'where’s Harold Perkins,' you’re going to find him,” said Kelly.
LSU will not have preseason All-SEC selection Maason Smith. The big defensive tackle has been suspended for this game for taking an improper benefit prior to NIL.
Kelly says Smith would have been questionable anyway after spraining his ankle in preseason camp.
Now Kelly would much rather have Smith for the game against Seminoles, but he also feels good about Jacobian Guillory, Jordan Jefferson and Jalen Lee.
Kelly says Guillory has a great first step. BK calls Jefferson a physical player with a lot of experience after appearing in 42 games in four seasons at West Virginia.
Lee is a transfer from Florida. Kelly calls the former Live Oak star the surprise of preseason camp after not performing well in the spring. BK credits his work in the weight room.
Still figuring out the rotation at running back
Kelly was asked about the running back position and didn’t provide any insight on who is at the top of the depth chart. LSU entered camp with eight scholarship running backs.
Junior RB Armoni Goodwin is doubtful, while Josh Williams is probable.
And the other nugget we know, freshman running back Kaleb Jackson will be back to return kicks. Aaron Anderson will also be a kick returner and he’ll handle punts as well.
Kelly feels much better about his special teams, but now they need to go out and execute, which means catch the ball. An issue the return men had last season.