LSU and South Carolina have more in common than hyped up, underachieving quarterbacks and widely disparaged offensive coordinators. Both teams are coming off a bye and are desperate to clean up deficiencies that have led to a few disappointing losses.
The Gamecocks’ two losses leave them with less margin for error moving forward. Fortunately for them, their offense seems to have found its identity after an impressive win against Kentucky. So how can LSU get back on track against a confident South Carolina team? Let’s dig into it.
LSU Hosts South Carolina
Run. The. Ball.
The similarities continue with the Tigers and Gamecocks when realizing they make up the last two teams in the SEC’s rushing offense statistics. Yes, the LSU program, once known to field big, physical bullies, is currently 15th in the SEC in rushing yards per game. Somehow, South Carolina, led by possibly the most physically gifted quarterback in the nation in LaNorris Sellers, is dead last.
The difference is that the Gamecocks looked more like the version of themselves we expected to see in their last effort against Kentucky before the bye. Sellers rushed for an encouraging 81 yards, surpassing his previous season high of 25 yards rushing. Crazy concept, but giving more carries to dynamic athletes lends to positive results. On that note, Harlem Berry has earned more carries even with the return of Caden Durham. There’s no better time for the Tigers to get going on the ground.
When comparing the two teams’ struggles, it appears that South Carolina’s rushing attack likely has a higher ceiling. But that doesn’t mean LSU can’t and shouldn’t run. Whether Garrett Nussmeier is healthy or not, the LSU offense must keep the heat off him by forcing defenses to play honestly. The Tigers had 22 carries as a team against Ole Miss, and that won’t lead to favorable looks in the passing game. Besides, an offensive line that struggles to get a push won’t improve its run blocking by constantly moving backwards in pass plays.
Opportunistic Shots
LSU’s group of receivers was easily one of its most impressive units coming into the season. The talent and depth showed up every day in practice, but there haven’t been many explosive plays to show for it. Sure, we’ve seen a few drops. But we tend to see that happen more often to players who don’t get the ball often – they’re too eager to make a play.
The big “if” here goes back to the first key. If the Tigers can demonstrate a willingness to run, the numbers in the box will change, resulting in coverage more conducive to shot plays. South Carolina likes to play man and has impressive corners to do so in Brandon Cisse and Judge Collier. But Barion Brown and Chris Hilton can get behind the best with no safety help.
An effective rushing attack can create opportunities. Talented wideouts can get open. The key (literally) word here is opportunistic. LSU needs to take shots, but only when they’re good decisions, which leads us to our next point.
Prevent the Off-Script Chunk Plays
Sellers was well on his way to embarrassing LSU when he left the game due to injury in 2024 with 113 passing yards and 88 rushing yards. While he hasn’t appeared to have developed much as a pocket passer in 2025, he’s as dangerous as ever when things break down.
Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss converted in a few critical third-and-long situations against LSU by running once lanes opened on pass plays. Sellers can do the same, but he is 10 times tougher to bring down. Even worse, he keeps his head up while buying time to hit receivers down the field in scramble drills. The South Carolina offense has been inconsistent so far, but there’s a case to be made that it’s at its best when plays break down.
Getting the Good Nuss
If you somehow haven’t noticed by now, we’re not overly concerned about the LSU defense. Which means much of this game will hinge on Nussmeier and the Tiger offense. In a season in which Nussmeier hasn’t looked overwhelmingly great at any point, we recently saw his worst outing by far. It won’t help to spend too much time speculating on the LSU quarterback’s health. But we lean towards the extra week being beneficial to any potential ailments.
Here’s the more troubling issue – the decision-making is still inadequate. Now a fifth-year senior, excuses won’t fly for unforced throws into triple coverage. LSU can win with a solid defense and an efficient quarterback who got the win at Clemson. We’re not so sure if the indecisive, impulsive, and inaccurate Nussmeier, who struggled against Louisiana Tech and Ole Miss, can win on Saturday night.
The Tigers are the more talented team in this matchup. It’s quite possible that they reassessed their approach and are better prepared to take on a solid South Carolina team. None of this will matter if the Tigers are off target on short throws and reckless on deep passes. LSU needs the good Nuss to show up in Tiger Stadium.
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