We are one day away from LSU's season opener against Clemson. What can we expect during Saturday's Battle of the Tigers?
"It's hard to gauge," WWL LSU columnist Jeff Palermo said.
According to Palermo, the game is hard to handicap because of the roster turnover, especially at LSU. However, Palermo says, on paper, LSU's roster is more talented than Clemson's, especially on defense.
"LSU seems like they're going to be taking another step forward under Blake Baker when it comes to their defense," Palermo said. "LSU's defense should be very good with Whit Weeks returning. Then you have the additions of Princewill Umanmielen and T. J. Dottery."
Palermo believes the LSU defense likely will frustrate Clemson's inexperienced starting quarterback.
"Christopher Vizzena is going to be the starting quarterback," Palermo said. "He has started just one game so far in his collegiate career. That was against SMU, who had one of the pass defenses in the country last year."
On the offensive side of the ball, Palermo believes head coach Lane Kiffin's persistence in bringing in transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt will pay dividends for the LSU offense. That's because Leavitt appears to have gelled with the rest of his unit.
"Even though he was not heavily involved in spring football, he was not heavily involved in spring football, he was still right there learning the playbook, watching practice, (and was) very attentive during the times that the media were able to watch," Palermo said. "He was doing everything he could, doing all the mental reps during that time to make sure he was ready for preseason camp. We heard from Trey'Dez Green earlier this week, and Trey'Dez just raved about him--loves the guy--and called him his best friend."
Kickoff between LSU and Clemson is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday on WWL.
