LSU’s starting linebackers produced just seven tackles in Saturday’s season opener against TCU, but don’t mistake a lack of stats for a lack of production.
“I don’t think they struggled,” said senior safety Craig Loston. “I think it was more of a scheme thing. … This week when we play a team that runs the ball a little more, I think our linebackers will be able to showcase their skills and show what they’re made of.”
According to Loston, the five-wide sets TCU ran took the linebackers out of the equation for most of the game, which prohibited them from recording tackles.
“A lot of people said they didn’t produce, but if you look at the film, there was a lot of outside plays,” said junior defensive tackle Ego Ferguson. “Sometimes the ball isn’t going to come toward you, but as long as you’re there making the calls and checking the coverage and watching your man, then you did your job.”
Tigers not looking past UAB
Loston isn’t overlooking UAB this week after seeing what their wide receivers are capable of in early film study.
“Anytime you have a receiver who has 200 yards and you have another one who had 100 yards, that’s a big-time game,” Loston said. “They didn’t do enough to get the win against Troy, but that’s big. … It opens up your eyes.”
UAB junior receiver Jamarcus Nelson led the Blazers with 199 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the team’s loss to Troy this weekend. Freshman wide out Jamari Staples also cracked the century mark with 103 yards and a touchdown.
Beckham, Landry lead the pack
Junior wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry separated themselves from the rest of the LSU receiving corps this year with a dominating performance against TCU.
The duo caught 13 of senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger’s 16 completions on the night for a combined 227 yards through the air.
But the competition for the No. 1 receiver isn’t getting in the way of the pair’s friendship off the field.
When asked which of the two would finish the season with more yards, there wasn’t a moment of hesitation for Landry to say he hopes the best for his teammate. 
“That’s the one you can’t predict,” Landry said. “You never know what happens. It’s a long season, a long process, but I hope [Beckham does]. Me, being the brother I am to him and a teammate, I wish all the best for him.”