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By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
There we were....
Now
Here we are....
LSUOdyssey starts our 6th full season of coverage!
LET'S GEAUX!!!!
9/1
LSU vs USC
(Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas)
PREDICTION
9/7
LSU vs NICHOLLS
The first game of LSU's 100th season at Tiger Stadium......the purple & gold welcome in-state minnows Nicholls for what should be a formality fixture.
Not only a game for LSU's endless array of skill position weapons to pad the stats, grab some touches, and build confidence ahead of a road SEC opener @ South Carolina, for many young or fringe Tigers the Nicholls meeting will likely become a first chance to make a major impression on their coaches during an actual game, rather than a practice field.
My only real question about these "gimme" games: How long will Brian Kelly & Joe Sloan play their starting quarterback?
Will this be a situation where they push Nussmeier forward to stratospheric statistical pursuits in the name of erecting a swaggering, uber alles confidence within him, ala Joe Burrow & Jayden Daniels?
Or will Kelly and Sloan pull their quarterback as early as possible, recognizing just how catastrophic a Nuss injury would be to LSU's chances in 2024???
The result will lie somewhere in the prudent middle, with Nuss likely playing 2 1/2 quarters.
PREDICTION
LSU 54
NICHOLLS 6
9/14
LSU @ SOUTH CAROLINA
The second big test arrives three games into the season on the road.....a place where LSU has dominated throughout the entirety of SEC history, winning 5 of 6 all time away meetings in Columbia, South Carolina, beating the Gamecocks (what a name) across their last 7 meetings overall.
South Carolina hasn't tasted victory over LSU since 1994, and if you want to find a home win over the Tigers, you have to go all the way back to 1930....
That said, this game is shaping up to be an upset in many an analyst's view, what could be a first major hiccup of Year III under Head Coach Brian Kelly....
LSU survive a few early scares before taking control during a blistering 2nd half performance (where Gamecocks' QB LaNorris Sellers commits 3 very helpful turnovers).
PREDICTION
LSU 43
SOUTH CAROLINA 21
9/21
LSU vs UCLA
A rematch of LSU's week 1 loss vs UCLA back in 2021.....this time inside Tiger Stadium, with the Bruins facing a group of players such as Burns, Penn, Ryan, Jones, Hilton, Nussmeier, Dellinger, Guillory who remember that defeat well, looking on from the sidelines helplessly or in small roles......
Now leading the team across the field in their respective positions, expect LSU's class of 2021 to lead the vengeance tour from the first second to the last in this game.
Chock full of big plays downfield, courtesy of LSU's cavalcade of receiving brilliance & Nussmeier's rocket propelled right arm, complimented by long drives riding the legs of Kaleb Jackson & John Emery Jr, the Tigers will motor home a well deserved rematch victory, trouncing first time Head Coach DeShaun Foster's Bruins back to the stone age, making it 2/2 concerning LSU's 2024 account against Southern California programs.
PREDICTION
LSU 44
UCLA 14
9/28
LSU vs SOUTH ALABAMA
LSU welcome South Alabama into Baton Rouge for a thorough clubbing, yet once again, each one of LSU's "gimme" games provides a perfect opportunity for every Tiger on roster to show what they're made of in front of the bright lights...
I not only expect Blake Baker aka "Wolverine"'s defense to record a shutout, I forecast the Tigers to rack up their largest points total of 2024, behind a stellar showing by Nussmeier, allowed to play nearly 3 full quarters....setting records in passing yards for an LSU quarterback during the night's action with 533 yards and 6 TDs, passing LSU Legend Rohan Davey's 2001 record.
PREDICTION
LSU 62
SOUTH ALABAMA 0
10/12
LSU vs OLE MISS
Over the last half decade, the LSU vs Ole Miss series continues to always promise high octane action, very little defense to speak of by either team, and outrageous basketball scorelines.
4 out of the last 5 meetings read like arena football scorelines:
LSU fell 55-49 last season, a final hail Mary play just falling short as time expired, a combined 104 points, Matt House's "defense" allowing a record 706 total yards to Ole Miss;
2022's meeting featured Brian Kelly having the first laugh vs Layne Kiffin, a comeback 45-20 beatdown complete with fans storming the field;
That matchup was preceded by a wild, rain-soaked 53-48 season finale win in 2020 where Kayshon Boutte set the all time single game SEC receiving record when he racked up 308 Yards;
Then, even during Joe Burrow and Co's 2019 G.O.A.T undefeated season, Dave Aranda's injury ravaged defense gave up 37 points in a 58-37 win....allowing freshman QB John Rhys Plumlee to rush for 212 yards....as Ole Miss dropped over 600 total yards on a night where the world questioned if LSU were equipped with a "championship defense".
In 3 of those contests, LSU surrendered over 558 total yards to Ole Miss, while giving up the Rebels to rush for 300+ yards on two occasions.....
At least one team has eclipsed 40 points in all but one meeting (2021) dating back to 2017 (LSU scored 38 points in both 2016 and 2015 matchups).
Over the past few years, this "defense" against Ole Miss is beyond unacceptable, specifically what occurred last season....but now, LSU are handed an opportunity to get revenge on Layne Kiffin's highly favored, high profile transfer-filled Ole Miss squad.
Will Baker's defense be able to hold back the Rebels' quick-fire rushing attack, or handle veteran QB Jaxson Dart, now 1-1 over his career against LSU???
Of course Baker's defense must produce stops, however, a major factor for success may reside in the pacing of Joe Sloan's offensive play calling, the ability of Brad Davis' O-line to gain a foothold vs Randall Joyner's talented D-line, and whether QB Garrett Nussmeier can prevent turnovers, manage the game, as well as carve out long drives, much like the game plan vs USC, in order to keep a strong offense & their veteran QB on the sidelines.....stifling & frustrating the best offensive play caller in the game, Layne Kiffin....and, keeping Baker's defense fresh.
That game plan will be easier said than done to execute, still, it's exactly what Kelly's Tigers must pull off if they want to avoid a second straight defeat to Kiffin's Ole Miss.
The pieces to Baker's defensive puzzle should be more than in place by the time LSU face Ole Miss, with victory predicated on our 2024 defense holding Kiffin and Co under 40 for only the 2nd time since 2018.
PREDICTION
LSU 38
OLE MISS 41
10/19
LSU @ ARKANSAS
Always a stiff test, no matter what their record states or their troubling goings-on behind the scenes, Arkansas always give LSU a nightmare of a game.....Southern gentlemen finding themselves within a cold, desolate, barren landscape of Fayetteville in mid to late November...often low scoring, brutal, tooth-removal orgies of the kind Armie Hammer would gladly pay for with someone else's kidney.
But this time, due to the SEC revamping their schedule, LSU will travel to Arkansas on October 19th, a far cry from the frozen cement cold "floor" players have endured for years.
Because of the warmer weather factoring into a more open, free flowing, offensive contest, as well as Kelly's Tigers holding numerous advantages over Arkansas, we're giving LSU the edge here, only barely.....let's say a last second field goal by Damian Ramos to walk out of Fayetteville carrying the Golden Boot back home...where it should stay for yet another year.
Once again, a very tight game comes down to the wire.
PREDICTION
LSU 36
ARKANSAS 33
10/26
LSU @ TEXAS A&M
Much like the prior few games against Ole Miss and Arkansas, the Tigers' trip to a raucous College Station will be a tricky, sticky proposition, taking on Mike Elko's solid defensive unit replete with some key figures returning from the year prior (when A&M were a top 10 ranked defensive outfit).
Although, the Aggies will need to score points to beat LSU....and I'm not sure if they're capable of stopping Nussmeier and Co so vividly, so completely, as they score 30 or more points....which is near the amount I suspect will be needed for an upset.
On the heels of Halloween, this dogfight @ A&M should be a ghoulish bloodbath....a war between either trench....a good old fashioned SEC ass whooping for the blood & violence people to get naked to....a gnashing of the teeth straight outta 2003.....which is why I give LSU the edge....
... led by the best offensive line in America, and a defensive line who's deficiencies are handled creatively & innovatively by Bo Davis & Kevin Peoples, facing A&M's subpar offensive roster, even at their apex of potential, I would be baffled if LSU squandered an opportunity to beat A&M inside College Station's pleasure dome of male cheerleader histrionics.
PREDICTION
LSU 26
A&M 16
11/9
LSU VS ALABAMA
The first LSU vs Alabama matchup since Nick Saban's sudden retirement (following last season's crippling CFP Semifinal defeat to Michigan), as well as the inaugural showdown between Brian Kelly & new Alabama "Ahab", Kalen DeBoer, a Dutchman with significant experience in losing championship games, as he did last year with Washington.
It should turn into a blood festival of otherworldly pagan sacrifice, but I don't feel any palpable fear when I consider Alabama during this post Saban era.....
.....whether DeBoer gets off to a winning start against LSU or not, neither Mr Buttchin's time in Tuscaloosa nor the ever-fraying, broken dynasty plopped upon his quaking shoulders, will be able to last.
The Great Buttchin's team do not strike a lasting psychological fear among LSU's players, staff or fanbase anymore.......the mask has been removed....
PREDICTION
LSU 34
ALABAMA 27
11/16
LSU @ FLORIDA
Kelly, already 2-0 over Florida after a pair of resounding beatings, has nothing to worry about heading into his third encounter against the Gators.
While LSU-Florida games used to find any possible way to turn into insane, run away freight trains of nonstop entertainment so vomit-inducingly epic, you wondered if it was all scripted....
.....as of late, the Tigers keep carving up the Gators in humiliating fashion across the past 5 straight meetings....scoring 40+ points in 4 of those 5 games, although the Tigers gave up 34+ points throughout each one of those showdowns.
Is this finally the moment LSU's defense stuffs the Gators, while Nuss and Co continue their 2024 offensive rampage, both sides of the ball in synergy???
PREDICTION
LSU 35
FLORIDA 18
11/23
LSU VS VANDERBILT
The Tigers face Vandy for the first time since our back to back, 40-63 point massacring of the Commodores over 2019 & 2020....
Though the Commodores will likely be a tougher test than they've been in the past, this matchup should exist purely as a welcome breather after 4 straight all-or-nothing / win-or-die rivalry games.
PREDICTION
LSU 49
VANDY 10
11/30
LSU VS OKLAHOMA
The wackiest game on the schedule....LSU hosting SEC debutants Oklahoma inside Tiger Stadium to close out the 100th anniversary on November 30th.....
That doesn't seem right, read that again....
Still weird?
Yeah, i thought so, too....
No A&M.....no Arkansas.....LSU will end their regular season facing off against Brent Venables' Oklahoma Sooners.....how bizarre is that???
Yes, I expect Oklahoma to experience a poor season by their standards, especially as they grow accustomed to the week in, week out bloodborn conference that is the SEC, but at the same time, LSU will handle Oklahoma as they always do traditionally....with gritty grace, effortless ease, and beautiful brutality.....
Not even access to every meth lab within the state of Oklahoma could energize their fanbase (or coaching staff....ahem....ahem) as much as they'll be buzzing walking into Tiger Stadium.....
PREDICTION
LSU 41
OU 24
12/6
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
LSU VS GEORGIA
LSU vs Georgia 2022 SEC Championship Game rematch.....
PREDICTION
LSU 28
UGA 41
CFP FINAL FOUR
#4 CLEMSON
#3 UTAH
#2 OHIO STATE
#1 UGA
CFP FIRST ROUND
TIGER STADIUM, BATON ROUGE, LA
CFP QUARTERFINALS
CFP SEMIFINALS
CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
#1 UGA upset by Kyle Whittingham's
#3 UTAH
LSU FINISH 12-3 AFTER THEIR
11-1 REGULAR SEASON
STAT PREDICTIONS
GARRETT NUSSMEIER
4,315 Passing Yards, 42 TD Passes, 15 INTs
JOHN EMERY JR
779 Rushing Yards, 5 Rushing TDs
262 Receiving Yards, 3 Receiving TDs
CHRIS HILTON JR
802 Yards, 51 Catches, 12 TDs
KYREN LACY
827 Yards, 62 Catches, 7 TDs
CJ DANIELS
715 Yards, 43 Catches, 7 TDs
JOSH WILLIAMS
313 Rushing Yards, 3 Rushing TDs
KALEB JACKSON
1,114 Rushing Yards, 9 Rushing TDs
MASON TAYLOR
1,028 Yards, 79 Catches, 8 TDs
AARON ANDERSON
289 Yards, 38 Catches, 2 TDs
ZAVION THOMAS
309 Yards, 36 Catches, 4 TDs
HAROLD PERKINS
88 Tackles, 16.5 TFLs, 8.5 Sacks, 4 FF, 1 INT TD Return, 3 PBUs
BRADYN SWINSON
7.5 Sacks, 10 TFLs, 1 FR
ASHTON STAMPS
5 INTs, 17 PBUs
JACOBIAN GUILLORY
53 Tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 3 PBUs, 2 Sacks, 1 FR
TEAM LEADERBOARD
SACKS: PERKINS = 8.5
INTs: STAMPS = 5
TFLs: PERKINS = 16.5
PBUs: STAMPS = 17
TACKLES: WHIT WEEKS = 102
FFs: PERKINS = 4
FRs: RYAN = 3
RECEIVING TDs: HILTON = 12
RUSHING TDs: JACKSON = 9
RECEIVING YARDS: TAYLOR = 1,028
RUSHING YARDS: JACKSON = 1,114
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
©️ 2024 Uninterrupted Writings Inc
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