Spread: LSU -21.5

O/U: 65

Time: 6:30 PM

TV: SEC Network

For the 1st time ever, LSU and South Alabama will be meeting on the football field.

Despite an 0-2 start to the season, South Alabama has outscored their last 2 opponents 135-24. No matter who you are playing, that is impressive. This South Alabama offense is 13th in the nation in total yards per game (504.5). This defense is more middle of the road, giving up 394 total yards per game. This offense is led by quarterback Gio Lopez, who has yet to throw an interception this season. Running back Fluff Bothwell has rushed for 6 touchdowns this season, which is tied for the 11th most in the nation. Wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett (Preseason 2nd Team All-Sun Belt) is the clear leading pass catcher on this team. Pritchett is a really homerun threat in the return game as well. The Jaguar defense is led by linebacker Blayne Myrick, who is tied for the 32nd most total tackles in the nation with 34. Defensive backs Jordan Scruggs and Jaden Voisin are the leaders in the defensive backfield, each having an interception and 21 total tackles on the season. Defensive linemen Wy'Kevious Thomas (Preseason 2nd Team All-Sun Belt) and Jordan Norman are the leaders in the trenches; both have 14 total tackles, and Norman has a sack. On special teams, punters Jack Martin and Aleksi Pulkkinen appear to be splitting time; Pulkkinen has pinned opponents 5 times within the 20. Kicker Laith Marjan is 5-6 on the season. This team would love nothing more than to prove themselves on a big stage.

LSU (3-1, #14/#13) shook back in a big way in the 2nd half of last week's victory against UCLA. The Tiger defense shut out the Bruin offense in the 2nd half. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has had a white hot start to the season. Mason Taylor is on the brink of becoming the most decorated tight end in LSU history. Wide receiver Kyren Lacy is among the leaders in the nation in touchdown receptions. Aaron Anderson is always coming up big for the Tigers when a big catch is needed. Running back Josh Williams appeared to find something in the running game last week. Freshman playmakers Ju'Juan Johnson and Caden Durham have stepped up big time in the Tiger backfield. This Tiger defense suffered another massive blow with Harold Perkins Jr. suffering a season ending knee injury last week. Bradyn Swinson and Sai'vion Jones have stepped up in a massive way for this defense; each of the Tiger defenders is in the top 15 in sacks in the nation. Ashton Stamps has really held it down in the defensive backfield for this Tiger defense. Jordan Allen, PJ Woodland, Jardin Gilbert, and Major Burns are beginning to step up in this defensive backfield. Whit Weeks, Wes Weeks, and Greg Penn III are having solid seasons at the linebacker position. Kicker Damien Ramos is as good as they come in college football, in my opinion. Punters Peyton Todd and Blake Ochsendorf split time, with Todd being more of the bigger leg, while Ochsendorf can pin you. Punt/kick returner Zaivion Thomas is a real threat in the return game, while really coming into his own on offense, can flip a field in a hurry.

KEYS TO THE GAME

- BROKEN RECORD - I know I may sound like a broken record, but this South Alabama run defense is among the bottom 20 in the nation in rushing yards given up per game. This is a great spot to get the running game going.

- OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE - Can the linebackers step up to replace Harold Perkins Jr.? Coach Kelly mentioned some shuffling in the linebacker room, with Xavier Atkins being the next one up.

- KEEP IT UP - Can this Tiger passing game continue to shine? Nussmeier and his pass catchers are off to a great start.

- COVERAGE - This Tiger return coverage team has been pretty good these last few weeks. Can they contain Jamaal Pritchett in this one?

Fun fact: South Alabama head coach, Major Applewhite, who is from Baton Rouge, is mentioned in the Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda, and Short Dawg song Break Up.

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