Breaking down strengths, weaknesses in LSU-South Carolina matchup

One of the biggest college football games of this upcoming weekend is South Carolina hosting LSU at Williams-Brice Stadium. ESPN College GameDay will be in town for the matchup, and there is a ton of hype around the Gamecocks program following a big win over Kentucky this past Saturday.

On3’s Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman discussed the game Monday morning on Andy & Ari On3. The two also made their pick for the game against the spread. FanDuel currently has the Tigers favored by 7.5 points.

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Even though South Carolina beat Kentucky 31-6, Staples still has question marks about the Gamecocks offense.

“LSU is a 7.5-point favorite on the road, at a place where when they are happy, it is a very difficult place to play. And they are very happy after South Carolina dump trucked Kentucky,” Staples said. “Now, South Carolina was not particularly dominant offensively in that game. There were a bunch of plays where Kentucky basically declined to cover South Carolina’s receivers, but South Carolina still only threw for 166 yards. They only ran 50 plays in that game.

“A lot of that was just Kentucky shooting itself in the foot over and over. So I don’t know that we learned anything about South Carolina being a particularly dominant team in a dominant win. It’s just that Kentucky was awful.”

Staples acknowledged that LSU has its share of issues, too, after losing its opener against USC and then not clicking on all cylinders against Nicholls. But he is still going with the Tigers to cover the 7.5-point spread.

“LSU, we’re still not sure about their defense. LSU gave up a couple of long drives to Nicholls. … Their secondary is not good. We knew that. We saw that for most of the game against USC. LSU also struggled to run the ball,” Staples said. “Remember, the only time they have run the ball in their first two games effectively is when John Emery was running in the second half of the USC game. And he tore his ACL last week and he’s out for the season.

“I am telling you I am going against my better instinct. Don’t ask me why I’m going against my gut here. But I’m going to say LSU covers here, which it’s hard to say. I don’t like this line at all.”

As for Ari Wasserman, he is going with South Carolina to cover the spread at home and perhaps even win the game.

Wasserman is not a believer in LSU and expects Columbia to be rocking.

“Here’s what I think is going to be the game – LSU’s secondary against LaNorris Sellers. … I’m not going to sit here, on this couch next to you, my friend, and pick against an undefeated team, at home, that’s going to have a loud crowd. And against the rec specs. Come on,” Wasserman said of South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers. “What are we doing? … I’m not going to pick against them yet.”

Wasserman acknowledged that LSU likely has the advantage in terms of talent. But he doesn’t think it will matter.

“Here’s the thing, like LSU, in theory, should be very, very good this year,” Wasserman said. “I think South Carolina is able to score in this game. I think the crowd at home helps. … South Carolina has proven during the Beamer era that they’re a tough out at home when people care. People care a lot right now. Wouldn’t be surprised if South Carolina won, by the way.”