LSU is looking to break into the win column as they’re set to face the Grambling State University Tigers for the first time ever. Although Grambling is an FCS opponent, it is a proud program with a rich tradition. Grambling is the home of the late, legendary coach Eddie Robinson. Grambling, an HBCU, has four former players in the NFL Hall of Fame. The significance of this game shouldn’t be lost from a historical standpoint.
As far as the action on the field, LSU will be eager to improve in several aspects after a disappointing loss. Coaching adjustments can fix some issues, like the misuse of Harold Perkins. It’s unclear if the team can resolve other issues, like the play of the secondary. There is a possibility that the Tigers entered the season with unrealistic expectations. It’s also conceivable that a few unsuccessful plays against a great team changed the momentum of a game that slowly got out of hand.
Reality likely lies somewhere in the middle, and Saturday will be LSU’s first chance to grow where they were exposed. LSU will face five consecutive SEC opponents after Grambling. The coaching staff and players must quickly figure out where and how they can improve.
LSU Looks to Bounce Back Against Grambling State
Offensive Line
The offensive line’s performance is different than other deficiencies in that LSU knows they have physically capable help on the sideline. This starts with the former five-star freshman Lance Heard. The Tigers took the unenviable position of starting two true freshmen on the line in 2022, so they were in no rush to do more of the same. It looks as though Brian Kelly is now ready to work Heard into the rotation, as he explained in his weekly press conference.
“The plan is to get him in with the first unit, see how that mix goes as well,” Kelly stated. He went on to speak to the challenges of throwing Heard into the fire against Florida State, and went further, “This is a good opportunity to get him in and give him an opportunity to play a little bit.”
With Heard entering the lineup at right tackle, expect sophomore Emery Jones to move inside to right guard. Jones is more of a natural guard than a tackle, so the transition should come seamlessly.
Wide Receivers
The staff expected the wide receiver group to be one of the deeper positions on the team before the season started. After a few costly drops, the lack of rotation at the position in the first game was shocking. Kelly seems to regret not playing more receivers, especially Chris Hilton.
On Hilton, Kelly said, “He’s shown enough to me in the way he’s handled himself that he deserves to get in there.” Hilton is one of the team’s more dangerous deep threats and is finally healthy after battling injuries for two years.
Kyren Lacy seemed to entrench himself as a starter during the offseason. However, LSU started the game with Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas, and Aaron Anderson. Fans will remember the drops, but Lacy also made some positive plays. He’ll have to continue to do so to keep players like Hilton and Shelton Sampson, another talented true freshman, off the field.
Running Back
Tre Bradford started in the position last week. Part of that was due to the unavailability of Logan Diggs, Armoni Goodwin, and John Emery. The Tigers will get help on Saturday with the return of Diggs and Goodwin. Diggs apparently had a nagging injury that ultimately discouraged running back’s coach Frank Wilson from playing him in Week One. He’s now healthy and looking to return to action. Diggs ran for 820 yards and averaged five yards per carry in 2022. After LSU’s recent struggles at the position, that level of production in 2023 would almost certainly earn him a statue on campus.
Goodwin is one of the fastest backs on LSU’s roster, but he can effectively run between the tackles. He doesn’t need much space to make a play, which is exactly what the offensive line currently needs. The explosive element that he brings to the offense can add valuable balance that it did not have in the first game.
