Due to Hurricane Harvey causing catastrophic flooding in Southeast Texas, the LSU-BYU game on Saturday has been moved to New Orleans. The two teams were scheduled to play at NRG Stadium in Houston. With the game being moved to New Orleans, we’ll dub it the “Battle In The Bayou”. This will be Ed Orgeron‘s first game as the full-time head coach of the Tigers.
Advocare Kickoff: LSU-BYU Preview
The Tigers will be seeking to defeat a BYU team that played poorly last weekend. The Cougars opened against Portland State in Provo. BYU looked very unimpressive in that game and lacked the amount of play the team should have had against an FCS opponent. To shorten it up, the Cougars looked lost and uncaring to win a game against a team that they should have beaten by 50 points.
With the game being moved to New Orleans, LSU still has the home field advantage. The Mercedes-Benz Superdome has become the backyard site for LSU in past seasons. The Tigers fair well in the Dome, except the 2012 National Title Game vs Alabama (a 21-0 win for the Tide). BYU has been overlooked in this game, and could bring forth a very good match-up.
How The Teams Match Up: Offense
Cougars quarterback Tanner Mangum is supposed to be one of the better college quarterbacks. Last Saturday, he looked inefficient. He only threw a total of 16 completions on 27 attempts for 184 yards with one touchdown. Not very impressive to start off the season against an FCS opponent.
LSU has an offense that can absolutely thrive against a struggling Cougars team. First year coordinator, Matt Canada, is going to bring a fire into this unit and work magic. Danny Etling is the quarterback, but don’t count out the freshman. Myles Brennan and Lowell Narcisse could both see playing time in the opener. Also, Derrius Guice will play after having wisdom teeth removed last week.
The Tigers could use the triple option during the game. No, not the service academies or Georgia Tech style. LSU could go run-pass-option on BYU and confuse the Cougars. Depending on whichever quarterback they use given the situation, this could work wonders or be a disaster.
How The Teams Match Up: Defense
The Cougars’ defense committed way too many dirty plays, as well. That defense could be stifling and a force to reckon with on LSU’s part, but they have to first find their identity.
As for LSU, the Tigers will be without star defensive end Arden Key for this game. Key has missed time throughout fall camp, and Orgeron stated this week that he will not play. Losing Key does not necessarily hurt the Tigers, though. The defensive front seven is still strong and will have no problem holding their own without Key.
The key to the game will likely be defense. LSU should win that battle especially up front and in the secondary. They return star-studded cornerback Donte Jackson, who will also return punts this season.
Overview and Prediction
The Bayou Bengals will come out of the tunnel hungry for BYU. One thing to look for, the Tigers’ defensive unit against Tanner Mangum now his running. LSU will take this match-up by a score of 38-17.
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