Brian Kelly addresses challenge of facing Missouri WR Luther Burden

LSU‘s secondary faces its toughest test of the season out wide with Missouri‘s Luther Burden.

The sophomore superstar provides some unique hurdles for LSU, and ahead of Saturday’s matchup, head coach Brian Kelly revealed the hurdle someone like Burden presents on his defense, and how he plans to combat his prowess out wide.

“I think there are times where you have to understand that there are some things that you have to do to minimize his effect on the game,” Kelly said on Thursday. “I said this to somebody today, last week we tried to defend everything. When you try to defend everything, you defend nothing. When you talk about a guy like [Burden], or you talk about a guy like Malik Nabers. Sometimes you don’t defend Theo Wease — who is an outstanding player.

“So, yeah, we’re going to have to be aware of him in certain situations, and do we have some things that address it? Absolutely. But you’ve got to play the other ten guys, too.”

Through five games, Burden is the SEC’s leading receiver with 644 yards on 43 receptions to go with five touchdowns. Wease might not be right behind him, but his 254 yards and three scoring receptions more than hold their own compared to the average SEC wideout.

It’s no surprise that Burden’s presence is being emphasized by Kelly this week during practice. A former Five-Star Plus+ recruit by the 2022 On3 Industry Rankings, only Texas A&M‘s Walter Nolen and Colorado‘s Travis Hunter ranked above him. To be group in with that type of company, the target on his back will follow him into every game.

Of course, LSU has one of the SEC’s most prolific receiving corps in the league themselves. Nabers sits just 19 yards behind Burden’s receiving total on the season (625 yards, No. 2 in the SEC), while Brian Thomas Jr.‘s eight touchdowns lead the SEC. To Kelly’s point, teams have game planned around Nabers but often forget about Thomas’ skills. It has turned him into one of the most productive wideouts alongside Nabers — and both are expected to have a big night in what looks to be an old-fashioned SEC shootout on paper.

Saturday’s opening kickoff is scheduled for Noon ET live on ESPN. LSU will enter the weekend as a four-point betting favorite on the road, per Vegas Insider. The over/under point total is set at 65.