LSU is headed back to the Citrus Bowl, and this time Brian Kelly is on the Tigers' sideline. Will it end up differently than their last visit?
Well, this time LSU rolls in as heavy favorites and with a majority of their playmakers set to play. That should help, even if Drew Brees is on the Boilermakers' sideline.
Scroll below for all the info you'll need to follow the game, plus a live score graphic and big-play updates.
THE GAME
- Who: LSU (9-4, 6-2 SEC) vs Purdue (8-5, 6-3 Big Ten)
- When: Noon, Monday, Jan. 2
- Where: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida
- Betting: LSU -15.5
- TV: ESPN
- Listen: WWL AM-870; FM-105.3 & the Audacy app
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WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Tigers are trying to cap their season with their first bowl win of the Brian Kelly era. LSU was initially picked to finish fifth in the SEC West but instead won the division, reached No. 6 in the AP Top 25 and made it to the Southeastern Conference Championship game, where the Tigers lost to Georgia but put up more points on the Bulldogs than any other team had all season. Purdue is making its first Citrus Bowl appearance but will be without coach Jeff Brohm, who took the head coaching job at Louisville. The Boilermakers won the Big Ten West and made it to the conference championship game, where they lost to No. 2 Michigan.
KEY MATCHUP
Purdue offensive line vs LSU defensive line. The Boilermakers are solid in pass protection, ranking 11th in sack rate percentage on passing downs at 3.5%, according to Football Outsiders. It should be a good matchup between them and the Tigers’ defensive line, which ranks 72nd in overall sack rate and 21st in sack rate on passing downs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LSU: QB Jayden Daniels had 2,774 yards passing, 16 TDs and just three interceptions this season, and 922 of those yards and six TDs came against nonconference opponents. Daniels also added 818 yards rushing.
Purdue: Austin Burton will make his second start of the season at quarterback after regular starter Aidan O’Connell opted out of the bowl game. Burton completed 21 of 29 passes with three touchdowns and one interception in a win over FAU on Sept. 24.
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THE SCORE
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THE HIGHLIGHTS
The Associated Press contributed to this report
