LSU vs. Southern Miss Prediction, Game Preview


LSU vs. Southern Miss prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the matchup between the Tigers and Golden Eagles.


LSU vs. Southern Miss Game Preview

When: Saturday, October 15 – 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
TV Broadcast: SEC Network

LSU received a surprise bye week due to Hurricane Matthew causing the postponement of its game against Florida in Gainesville. No game meant the Tigers had more time to adjust to Ed Orgeron and the new offensive philosophy he has enacted since Les Miles was fired following the Auburn loss.

Southern Miss is coming off a 55-32 loss to UT-San Antonio in which the Golden Eagles were shredded for 339 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, allowing two Roadrunners to rush for more than 100 yards.

What To Know About LSU

With the big matchup against Florida postponed, we didn’t get to see how the new offense would work against a defense the caliber of the Gators. Throwing the ball might be a secondary though this week, as the Tigers go against an Southern Miss team allowing 159.5 yards per game on the ground. If he plays, running back Leonard Fournette should get plenty of chances to get back into the flow; if he remains sidelined, Derrius Guice is a guy that the Tigers can lean on heavily.

The Tigers defense will be rested and ready to put pressure on quarterback Nick Mullens, who loves to spread the ball around to different receivers. The LSU defensive line should be able to control the trenches and stop the Golden Eagles running game.

What to Know About Southern Miss

Giving Mullens time in the pocket and being able to keep a balanced offense by running the ball will be crucial for Southern Miss to keep it in this game. LSU doesn’t give much room to run, though, allowing only 108 yards per game on the ground. Still, running back Ito Smith will have to provide a punch for the offense if the Golden Eagles hope to pull off the upset.

Stopping the running game of LSU will be priority number one for the Southern Miss defense, so the pressure goes to quarterback Danny Etling, who has been mediocre so far since taking over for Brandon Harris.

Advantages

Offense: Tie. LSU was much better in the last game against Missouri. Will that last?

Defense: LSU. The Tigers are always tough to handle in the trenches.

Special Teams: Southern Miss. Kicker Parker Shaunfield has been fantastic this season, hitting all 10 field goal attempts including a long of 49 yards.

Coaching: Tie. Ed Orgeron is auditioning for the head coaching position, can he impress boosters and administrators.

Intangibles: LSU. A week off and a home game at Tiger Stadium will have the Tigers fans ready to roar.

Matchup To Watch

LSU running game vs. Southern Miss rush defense

Should Fournette (if healthy) and Guice get going, it will be a long night in Death Valley for Southern Miss.

LSU vs. Southern Miss Betting Odds

Spread: LSU -25.5
Over/Under: 57

LSU vs. Southern Miss Prediction

The Tigers will be well-rested and ready to go out and prove that the blowout of Missouri in Orgeron’s first game as interim coach was not a fluke. Southern Miss has the firepower on offense to keep the score close, but in the end, the Tigers’ lines will wear down the Golden Eagles and LSU will pull away for an easy victory.

LSU vs. Southern Miss Score Prediction: LSU 45, Southern Miss 24

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