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LSU-Southern Miss Preview

Week Six of the college football season for LSU brings in the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. The two teams have met twice in the past, with the first game being a 13-0 LSU win in 1951. They met again in 1994, and USM took the win 20-18. Even though it is a non-conference game, the Tigers cannot underestimate the Golden Eagles. The game will take place at 6:30 on the SEC Network from Tiger Stadium. For LSU, star running back Leonard Fournette is questionable with an ankle injury he suffered in the loss to Auburn on September 24. If he does not play, expect Derrius Guice to get the start in the backfield. The Tigers are favored by 26 points, and LSU has a 97% chance to win the matchup.

LSU-Southern Miss Preview

When LSU has the ball:

  1. Offense, offense, and more offense- The Tigers have become a dynamic offensive team since Ed Orgeron took over as the interim head coach. They set a school record for yards against an SEC team against Missouri. LSU racked up 634 total yards and won the game 42-7. The play of quarterback Danny Etling and the entire offense will be delightful to watch.

2. Guice will take most of the carries- Derrius Guice will most likely start at running back with Fournette still injured. He can get through tackles and burst for long strides, setting the team up for a score every time he touches the ball. Look out, Guice could be the next great tailback for LSU.

3. The entire offense will look improved- This season, LSU has had an up and down time with the offense. When Orgeron took control, the play-making became what it should have been all season. The Tigers offense looks explosive with their new coach, and things on the offensive side are heading in the right direction.

When Southern Miss has the ball:

  1. Expect quarterback Nick Mullins to be explosive- Mullins has put together a great season so far for the Eagles. He has 16 touchdowns to just 8 interceptions, which is pretty smooth for a group of 5 team quarterback.

2. Ito Smith will carry the ball effectively- Smith has totaled 711 yards and 6 touchdowns on the season. For USM to keep this game close, he must have an effective number of yards and at least two scores. That is, if the Tigers defense doesn’t stop him in the backfield before he can find a hole.

3. The Eagles offense must be productive- If they stand a chance to upset LSU, Southern Miss must maintain their offensive plays very efficiently. Mullins can’t throw the ball into coverage, otherwise an LSU defender will be awaiting the ball. Their running game has to be in check, as well. Smith and the other ball carriers must find lanes in the open field to ramp up the yardage for the team, or they will have turnover upon turnover.

LSU will come out hot from the start, and not look back. Etling, Guice, and the entire offense will prove to be too much for Southern Miss to handle in the game. The Tigers will cover the spread, and go home with a 4-2 record before playing Ole Miss the following week.

 

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