In years past, the first Saturday in October meant LSU versus Florida.
That would be a pretty fun game this year.
Instead, we get LSU versus McNeese State.
And honestly, the Tigers coaching staff probably isn’t complaining.
After an emotional and physical first month of the season, LSU gets a chance to take a breath against an FCS opponent. McNeese will collect a $750,000 guarantee for the game, money that will help support an athletic department dealing with rising costs.
This will be just the third meeting between these two in-state programs.
LSU won the first meeting 32-10 in 2010. The Tigers won again in 2021, 34-7, when LSU head coach Ed Orgeron faced his son, Cody, who was McNeese’s starting quarterback.
These teams were also supposed to open the 2015 season against each other. But after just four minutes, lightning halted the game. More than three hours later, the schools made the difficult decision to cancel the contest.
With thunderstorms in the forecast again Saturday, let’s hope history doesn’t repeat itself.
Here are five things I’ll be watching when LSU plays its final non-conference game of the regular season.
1. Will Sam Leavitt play?
We all saw Sam Leavitt hobbling around on one leg against Texas A&M.
Ironically, the injury may have helped produce his best passing performance of the season, as Leavitt was essentially forced to become a pocket passer.
But with seven SEC games remaining, why risk making the injury worse?
Especially if the forecast is calling for rain and a wet playing surface.
LSU has confidence in backup quarterback Landen Clark, the Elon transfer who has already taken 59 snaps and rushed for three touchdowns.
Lane Kiffin likes Clark’s play-making ability, and that ability has helped him move past USC transfer Husan Longstreet on the depth chart.
If Leavitt is healthy enough to play, we’ll see how much Kiffin wants to use him.
If not, Clark should get an opportunity to run the offense for an extended period.
2. Could another receiver emerge?
If Clark starts, his ability to run the football, combined with LSU’s running game, should give the Tigers plenty of opportunities against a McNeese defense allowing 170 rushing yards per game.
The bigger question is what Clark can do throwing the football.
He’s completed seven of 15 passes this season for 109 yards and a touchdown.
Jackson Harris broke out against Texas A&M, catching six passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
Could another receiver make a similar jump Saturday?
With tight end Trey’Dez Green still out, LSU needs someone else to emerge.
Trey Wilson caught just three passes for 20 yards against A&M. This could be a game where he gets more opportunities and potentially produces a 100-yard receiving performance.
Or maybe we see a freshman receiver get more involved in the second half.
Keep an eye on Corey Barber and former Destrehan star Jabari Mack.
3. Will we see more offensive line shuffling?
William Satterwhite started at left guard last week in place of Bo Bordelon.
I’d expect Satterwhite to get another start against the Cowboys.
But this is also the kind of game where LSU can afford to get some of its second-string offensive linemen on the field.
Building depth along the offensive line is important with seven SEC games still to play.
4. Can LSU's defense dominate again?
It has been extremely difficult to move the football against LSU at Tiger Stadium.
In three home games this season, the Tigers have allowed just 481 yards of total offense.
That’s an average of only 160 yards per game.
McNeese is expected to start Jake Strong at quarterback. He has thrown for 321 yards in three games this season.
Strong injured his shoulder in the season opener, and his backup, Devin Lippold, suffered a season-ending wrist injury, putting Strong back in the starting role.
The Cowboys’ leading rusher is former Acadiana star Omiri Wiggins.
The Louisiana Tech transfer is averaging 6.7 yards per carry and has rushed for 375 yards.
Even without Whit Weeks, LSU should make life difficult for the McNeese offense.
It will also be interesting to see if Ty Benefield continues to start at the Star position with Dashawn Spears out for the year.
5. No more injuries.
This might be the most important thing to watch.
Lane Kiffin admitted earlier this week that he’s freaked out by the number of injuries LSU has suffered, and he’s warned that eventually, those injuries are going to catch up with the Tigers.
LSU has already lost Trey’Dez Green and Whit Weeks for significant time, among others.
So while this is a game LSU should win comfortably, the Tigers need to get out of it healthy.
No unnecessary hits.
No playing starters longer than necessary.
And, most importantly, no more significant injuries.
Because after Saturday, the real season begins again.
My prediction: LSU 56, McNeese 7.
