The campuses of LSU and South Alabama are about 200 miles a part and this is the first time the two schools are set to play each other in football. They were scheduled to play one another in 2016, but that was the year the schedule was changed because of a hurricane that never impacted Gainesville when LSU was scheduled to play Florida.
You will not see rain on Saturday night, but here are five things to watch for as the Tigers play their final non-conference game of the year.
1. Can LSU play four quarters?
Coach Brian Kelly is looking for consistency and they have one more chance to put together a complete game before a big test comes on October 12th against Ole Miss. Last week, it was nice to see LSU’s offense score on the first drive, but the defense turned around and allowed UCLA to march down the field and score.
There are some who have put LSU on upset alert. One way to prevent an upset, open up a two score lead in the first half.
2. How will LSU’s defense respond to the loss of Harold Perkins?
A suspect defense will play the rest of the season without their most dynamic player on defense. Linebacker Harold Perkins tore his ACL last Saturday against UCLA. Perkins’ injury could give linebacker Whit Weeks a chance to make even more plays. He has good speed and can cover a lot of ground, a quality the Tigers will miss with Perkins on the sidelines. Perkins injury will also give Whit’s brother, West Weeks more of an opportunity to play. West Weeks will get on the field when the Tigers use three linebackers.
3. Can the Tigers limit South Alabama’s big plays?
South Alabama is averaging 48 points a game and averaging 7.6 yards a contest. LSU is allowing six yards per play, which is the worst in the Southeastern Conference.
Coach Brian Kelly is looking for better execution from his defense and he says it all starts with fundamentals. Improvement is needed across the board, but especially with the safeties, who have been grading low according to Pro Football Focus.
And there’s a chance LSU’s top cover cornerback, Zy Alexander, will miss this game. He’s trying to recover from a concussion sustained last Saturday.
4. Another big night for Garrett Nussmeier?
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is seventh in the country in passing yards with 1,247 and he’s tied for second in touchdowns with 13. South Alabama has struggled to defend the pass. The Jaguars are 117th in the country in pass defense, allowing 272 yards a game.
Speedy wide receiver Chris Hilton could also make his season debut. He’s probable for the game, but Kelly said it would be a gametime decision on whether Hilton will play. He’s missed the entire season so far with a bone bruise suffered in preseason camp. Hilton can help produce more plays in the deep passing game.
5. Enjoyable weather for a night game
After brutally hot conditions last Saturday against UCLA, Mother Nature is working with us this time. Plus, it helps that it’s a 6:45 kick-off. Temperatures should be in the low 80s for kick-off and lower humidity. Now the question is whether LSU fans will have to sweat this one out because South Alabama is in the game in the fourth quarter.
I like LSU to win 41-24. Wouldn’t be surprised if this game is close in the third quarter.