There is absolutely no buzz for Saturday night’s final home game of the season against Western Kentucky. A big reason is that LSU fans are on Lane Kiffin watch. But the other major reason is that it is a non-conference game in late November.
Thank goodness this will likely be the last time LSU will subject its fans to non-interesting games in November.
Hopefully, LSU will be in the college football playoff conversation from this point forward, but also with a nine-game SEC schedule starting next year, no more non-conference games in November, most likely for LSU.
Since there is a game on Saturday, here are five things to watch as LSU wraps up another season in Tiger Stadium.
Michael Van Buren
The biggest LSU news not involving Kiffin this week was quarterback Michael Van Buren telling reporters he wants to remain a Tiger and play for the new coaching staff. Garrett Nussmeier will not play because of his abdominal injury, so Van Buren will make his second straight start and play in his 5th game this season, which means he cannot use this year as a redshirt.
Saturday night marks another opportunity for Van Buren to show he is the guy in 2026, but you know the new head coach will bring in his guy.
Van Buren is also the only healthy quarterback on the roster. Colin Hurley has taken a leave of absence. Running back and former Lafayette Christian quarterback JuJuan Johnson, who is the all-time leader in total yards and touchdowns, is the backup.
Walk-on and former University High QB Emilie Picarella is also a possibility to get snaps if Van Buren gets hurt.
Can LSU score more than 25 points?
LSU is a 21.5-point favorite, but they have yet to score more than 25 points against an FBS team this season. With the Tigers wrapping up the regular season at Oklahoma next week, this is LSU’s best chance to put four or more touchdowns on the board.
Western Kentucky is allowing 23 points a game, which is tied for 54th in the country.
Who is Western Kentucky?
The Hilltoppers are having a very good season under head coach Tyson Helton. He has been there since 2019, and he has WKU in contention for a Conference USA regular-season championship.
Western Kentucky is 8-2 overall, 6-1 in Conference USA, and its game next week against Jacksonville State will determine the league’s champion.
The Hilltoppers are playing their backup quarterback as their starter through the first seven games is hurt. Redshirt freshman Rodney Tisdale has played well in the last three games and last week threw for 371 yards and three touchdowns against Middle Tennessee.
Tisdale can run the football and had 73 yards rushing against Louisiana Tech in his start.
Whit Weeks
LSU linebacker Whit Weeks is listed as probable and is set to make his return. He has not played since the South Carolina game on October 11th, and the Tigers' defense needs him.
It will be good to see Whit Weeks out there, and it is another chance to play with his older brother, West Weeks.
Tiger Stadium atmosphere
At least the weather will be nice for a game on November 22nd, so it should be comfortable in Tiger Stadium. And you should have plenty of leg room and space for those fans who have bench seating tickets.
There is reportedly a big meeting on Friday between Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin and Rebels athletics director Keith Carter as the two will talk about Kiffin’s future.
Related
Will any news leak out? If there is a strong indication that Kiffin is leaving Oxford for LSU, it could be a festive atmosphere in Tiger Stadium.
If it remains uncertain who will be the next head coach of the Tigers, I can imagine a passive crowd as the thoughts will be on who will LSU hire as its next coach, instead of what is happening on the field.
LSU wins 27-17. Yes, they will score more than 25, but it will be a struggle.