Week 3 Preview: Scouting the LSU Tigers
The South Carolina football team will be in the national spotlight for the second straight week on Saturday. But this time, the Gamecocks will be under a much larger microscope with ESPN’s “College GameDay” in town.
Once the pregame festivities have concluded, the main event – South Carolina’s Week 3 contest against LSU – will commence inside Williams-Brice Stadium.
Before the game kicks off at noon on the ABC, here’s what the Tigers bring to the table.
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How they got here
LSU heads into this contest with a 1-1 overall record. Saturday’s game against the Gamecocks will be the Tigers’ first SEC game of the season.
LSU kicked off its 2024 campaign against Southern California in the Modelo Las Vegas Kickoff at Allegiant Stadium. The Tigers were 3.5-point favorites, per ESPN BET, before kickoff and had a four-point lead heading into the fourth quarter but ultimately fell 27-20 to the Trojans on a late touchdown.
The team had an opportunity to rebound against Nicholls State, a member of the Southwest Conference in the FCS, and did exactly that. LSU only had a nine-point lead over the Colonels at halftime, but its offense erupted in the third quarter and outscored Nicholls State 21-7 in the third quarter to win 44-21.
Last time out
The Gamecocks most recently took the field against each other in 2020, a COVID-shortened season in which all 10 games were played against SEC opponents. South Carolina went 2-8 that year, and the Tigers delivered one of those losses.
On Oct. 24, LSU defeated the Gamecocks 52-24 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. That night, Collin Hill, South Carolina’s starting quarterback, completed 12-of-22 passes for 234 yards and threw one touchdown and one interception.
Despite the loss, the Gamecocks had two skill players put up 100-plus yard performances. Running back Kevin Harris logged 126 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. Additionally, wide receiver Keveon Mullins caught two passes for 101 yards.
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Where they sit in the rankings
LSU is ranked in both the AP and USA Today Coaches polls. The Tigers are currently ranked No. 16 in the AP poll after moving up two spots from last week and receiving 521 votes. The USA Today Coaches poll pegged LSU as the No. 17 team in the country with 410 votes.
In ESPN’s College Football Power Index (FPI), the Tigers are ranked No. 20 with a 10.2 FPI. Their projected record is 6.3-5.7. The team has a 69.5 percent chance of winning six games this season.
In ESPN’s SP+ rankings, LSU checks in at No. 17.
The Tigers sit 25th in the Massey Ratings. It ranks eighth in offense and 35th in defense.
ESPN gives the Tigers a 51.3 percent chance to win this weekend. LSU heads into the contest as seven-point favorites, according to ESPN BET.
Players to watch
Will Campbell (Junior, offensive tackle) – The Tigers are very strong in the trenches, and Campbell is a big part of it. Heading into Saturday’s game, he has yet to allow a sack in 17 straight games. Campbell picked up preseason accolades before the 2024 season began, too. He was one of the only LSU player named to the Preseason First Team. He also made an appearance on ESPN’s and Phil Steele’s All-America First Teams.
Harold Perkins (Junior, linebacker) – Perkins heads into this game as the Tigers’ most consistent performers on defense. He led LSU’s defense for the second year in a row with 13 tackles for loss, in addition to 5.5 sacks and 75 tackles. Perkins was named to the 2023 for his All-SEC Second Team efforts. He has recorded 11 tackles through two games this year but has yet to record a sack.
Kyren Lacy (Fifth-year, Wide receiver) – After losing Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. to the NFL Draft, the Tigers have found their next top pass-catching option in Lacy. He currently leads all LSU wide receivers in receptions (12), receiving yards (159) and touchdowns (four). Last season, he appeared in all 13 games and started in 10 of them, including the final nine. Lacy totaled 558 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 30 catches.
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Path to victory
After wins over Old Dominion and Kentucky, South Carolina will face its most difficult test of the 2024 season so far in LSU. But there are numerous reasons why the Gamecocks have become a popular pick to cover the spread – or even upset the Tigers – on Saturday.
One of LSU’s most glaring weaknesses is its defense, which has given up yardage in large chucks early in the campaign. Of the 16 teams in the SEC, the Tigers have allowed the most yards per game (371.0 yards per game). Broken down even further, LSU has given up 261.5 passing yards and 109.5 rushing yards per game.
Granted, 447 yards were allowed to a Southern California team that’s ranked No. 11 in the country this week, but it also gave up 295 yards to Nicholls State. If South Carolina can unlock its offense in both the air and on the ground, the Tigers’ defense’s struggles could continue for another week.
LSU does have some notable strengths on offense, though. The Tigers return four of five starters along the offensive line from last year. LSU’s offensive line as a whole still has yet to allow a sack all season.
The Gamecocks, however, head into Week 3 with one of the most disruptive pass rushes in the country, too. South Carolina is tied for second amongst all FBS teams with 10 sacks through two games. Something will have to give in this strength-against-strength matchup. And if the Gamecocks come out on top, that could prove beneficial in a potential win.
The Tigers’ prowess on the offensive line has allowed Garrett Nussmeier plenty of time to operate in the pocket, and they have reaped the rewards from it – the redshirt junior signal-caller has accumulated at least 300 passing yards in each of his first two games. Because of this, South Carolina’s secondary should be prepared to have a lot of passes thrown its way, especially after John Emery Jr.’s season-ending ACL injury.
