2021 was the last time LSU played in the Texas Bowl and the Tigers had only 39 scholarship players and started a wide receiver at quarterback in Jontre Kirklin.
When LSU plays Baylor in the Texas Bowl on New Year’s Eve Day, starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will be behind center, but his offensive line will look different and several of his top receivers are missing.
Here’s what to look for when the Tigers face their former defensive coordinator, Dave Aranda and the Baylor Bears:
1. LSU’s new look offensive line
Starting tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones have decided to enter the NFL draft a year early and starting guard Garrett Dellinger is also not playing after missing the last four games with a high-ankle sprain. Dellinger will prepare for the LSU draft after making 30 starts across four seasons for the Tigers.
So expect LSU’s starting offensive line to look like this:
LT Tyree Adams (A freshman from St. Aug who LSU is high on)
LG Paul Mubenga (Started the last 4 games for the injured Dellinger)
C DJ Chester (LSU’s regular starting center)
RG Bo Bordelon (Redshirt sophomore from Newman to make his 1st start)
RT Miles Frazier (Was LSU’s regular starter at RG)
2. Nussmeier’s new targets in pass game
Three of LSU’s top four pass catchers for 2024 will not play in this game. Kyren Lacy, C.J. Daniels and Mason Taylor.
Freshman Trey’Dez Green is the lone tight end on the roster, so expect to see plenty of Green. Coach Brian Kelly said earlier this month he likes how Green has been working on his blocking during bowl practices.
The starting receivers will likely be Aaron Anderson, Chris Hilton and Zavion Thomas.
And the Texas Bowl presents an opportunity for freshmen Jelani Watkins and Kylan Billiot. They are the last two scholarship receivers on the roster and have not caught a pass this season.
3. Young safeties have a chance to show what they can do
LSU’s 2024 starting defense is mostly intact for this bowl game, except for the safety position. Sage Ryan has transferred out and Major Burns has opted out. That gives true freshman Dashawn Spears a chance to get extended minutes and sophomore Javien Toviano should also see a lot of playing time. Before LSU left for Houston, Kelly said they are keeping Toviano at safety after playing him some at cornerback last season.
4. Baylor’s offense to present a challenge to LSU’s defense
Baylor starting quarterback Sawyer Robertson has had a solid season. The Lubbock, Texas native has thrown for 2,626 yards and 26 touchdowns. He’s also completed nearly 73% of his passes and he’s been intercepted seven times. At six-foot-four, 220 pounds, Robertson is not afraid to run the football. He has 227 yards rushing, including a long of 45 and has four touchdowns.
Baylor also has a 1,000 yard rusher in Bryson Washington. The Freshman All-American rushed for nearly 200 yards against TCU and Kansas.
The Bears leading receiver is Josh Cameron who has 44 catches for 643 yards and nine touchdowns. Cameron is also a dangerous return man, averaging 21 yards a return on punts.
Michael Trigg is a good tight end with nearly 400 receiving yards.
5. Who wants it more
Non-playoff bowl games come down to who wants it more and who has the better roster. Even though LSU’s offense is missing key players, they should have success against a Baylor defense that’s allowed 382 yards a game.
But this is a confident Baylor team that’s won six in a row and they are averaging 41 points in the last six games.
I think Baylor wins this one….31-28.