We all saw this coming. The 5-0 Tigers are riding a wave of excitement from a prolific offense into a ranked matchup. Here’s the twist – it’s the Missouri Tigers entering October undefeated as they prepare to host LSU. Meanwhile, the Tigers from Baton Rouge are one loss away from a .500 record after starting the season in the top ten. Missouri’s highs and LSU’s lows are just two of several factors that combine to shape the keys to the game.
LSU has not met its preseason expectations to this point, but Missouri has played its way into the Top 25 rankings. Mizzou propelled themselves to national relevance after a win over Kansas State. A win against LSU would give the Tigers two wins over ranked teams. More importantly, Missouri can remain undefeated and at the top of the SEC East.
For LSU fans, this week could produce similar results in terms of the pace of the game. LSU is statistically last in the FBS in almost every defensive category of significance. Missouri struggles against the pass, which does not bode well against LSU’s explosive passing attack. This game could be another shootout, so let’s check out three keys of the game for LSU to get the road win against Missouri.
Offense Stays Hot
It’s neither ideal nor sound practice to continually ask an offense to pull an entire team from the depths of purgatory, but here we are. It’s critical that LSU scores early and often. The obvious reason is LSU doesn’t know how many defensive stops it will get. Secondly, LSU will need to take the home crowd out of the game. It’s unusual for Missouri to be undefeated at this point of the season. The Missouri Tigers are ranked and hopeful in the wide-open SEC East in which Georgia is vulnerable. The buzz this week in Columbia surrounding this matchup is palpable. The home crowd will be intense and can affect LSU on both sides of the ball.
The good news for LSU is Jayden Daniels and the offense seem to grow more proficient every week. Malik Nabers demands extra attention from defenses, and Brian Thomas has flourished as the second receiver. Mason Taylor’s return loomed large against Ole Miss. Logan Diggs has added a consistent rushing threat to an offense that presents multiple mismatches in the passing game. If the LSU Tigers can continue to avoid turnovers, they should continue to score at a blistering rate.
Shoulder the Burden
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden is the reception leader in the SEC, and he is a living, breathing stick of dynamite. Burden can score from anywhere on the field, which explains why Missouri gets him the ball in so many ways. Burden will line up in multiple positions and get targets in screens, slants, and deep passes.
Although Burden will line up all over, most of his snaps will likely be in the slot. It’s a challenge to double a slot receiver, so don’t expect Matt House to attempt defenses that LSU doesn’t typically run when the Tigers already have issues executing his current calls. The Baton Rouge Tigers won’t stop Burden from making receptions, but it’s imperative that they tackle him. Not only can Burden make defenders miss, but he’s a threat to take it to the house after they miss.
Missouri Quarterback Brady Cook has not thrown an interception all year. He is playing at an incredibly high level, so he’ll target other receivers. However, Burden is the most explosive weapon on the roster, one of the best in the country, and key to both the success of Missouri and LSU.
Limit the Rushing Attack
Missouri’s Cody Schrader averages almost six yards per carry. For perspective, Ole Miss’s Quinshon Judkins averaged three-and-a-half yards per carry going into the LSU game but averaged over five yards per carry against LSU. Schrader is a dangerous back whose rushing ability could be an issue for LSU, but that’s not the only reason stopping him is key.
If LSU can stop the run, it will put Missouri in more obvious passing downs. Yes, LSU has been shockingly bad in third and long situations, but it still must aim to create them. Be it changes in personnel or disguising the blitz better, LSU must put pressure on Cook.
Both stopping the run and pressuring Cook will require a better effort from LSU’s defensive line. Last week’s outcome could light a fire in the defensive linemen, inspiring them to show that they’re better than they looked against Ole Miss. That loss could also diminish their hopes for the season, and encourage the dismal defense to check out emotionally. This game will say a lot about the heart and fortitude of this LSU team.
