After a statement victory against Auburn in week seven, LSU will now turn its attention to a clash between Army in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night. The LSU defense continued to improve after their second-half showing against Missouri and it was able to carry over to the Auburn game. Meanwhile, the LSU offense is becoming one of the nation’s best halfway through the season. The Tigers will now look to finish out the first half of the season with a non-conference test at home before they head into the bye week.
LSU Gets a Statement Win over Auburn
LSU RB John Emery (4) – Gerald Herbert/AP Photo
The LSU vs. Auburn series is a special one as every game comes down to the wire, but Saturday night’s contest was a different story as LSU ran away with a 48-18 win. Auburn was able to hang around in the first half, but LSU’s offense exploded in the second half.
Wide receiver Malik Nabers got the scoring started for the Tiger offense as he continues to be one of the best wideouts in the country. Wide receiver Kyren Lacy had a breakout game as he had over 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, running back Logan Diggs and John Emery were able to find the endzone. Diggs was the leading rusher in the game.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels has elevated his status this year and is well on his way into being in the Heisman discussion race alongside Washington’s quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
On the other side of the ball, the LSU defensive unit had their best showing in SEC play as they held one of the best rushing attacks in the league to just 139 total yards on the ground. Quarterback Payton Thorne didn’t have much success through the air as the Tiger defense held him to just 102 passing yards in the contest.
The defensive line play has continued to improve ever since Pete Jenkins came back to help out with the defensive unit. The move to a 4-3 is getting more guys involved, including Paris Shand and Jordan Jefferson. Tiger fans are also starting to see Harold Perkins be the playmaker that he is as he was able to create pressure all night against Auburn. LSU will step out of the conference heading into week eight as they will take on Army.
Know Your Foe: Army
Army RB Tyrell Robinson (21) – Army West Point Athletics
It will be the first time the Tigers and the Black Nights will get together since the 1931 season when Army came away with a 20-0 victory over LSU. Army currently sits at 2-4 overall on the season and is coming off a 19-0 shutout loss at home against Troy. The Black Knights have lost three straight after starting off the season at 2-1. In that three-game losing skid, Army lost to Syracuse, Boston College, and Troy. Army will be getting a special opportunity on Saturday night to play in one of the most hostile environments in college football.
Army’s quarterback Bryson Daily is questionable heading into Saturday night’s matchup against LSU and it would be a big loss for the Black Knights if he is unavailable. Daily has thrown for 712 yards on the season. He is Army’s leading rusher on the season as he has compiled 412 yards on the ground.
The tradition with Army has continued as they have relied heavily on running the football with their option offense. Army’s offense is averaging 24.5 points per game through seven games this season. Running back Hayden Reed is Army’s top threat in the rushing game. They are also led by wide receivers Noah Short and Isaiah Alston. The Army offense has struggled to find its identity during its three-game losing streak. Army will have to control the time of possession to keep LSU’s high-powered offense off the field.
On the other side of the ball, the Black Knights defense is allowing 20.2 points per game through seven games this season. Linebacker Leo Leowin is currently the leader in total tackles as he has compiled 35 so far this season.
It should be a fun environment in Tiger Stadium on Saturday as the two teams will meet for the first time in Death Valley.
Prediction: LSU 49, Army 10
