The No. 22 LSU football team hasn’t seen the playing field in more than a month, meaning the Tigers (8-4) will hope to shake off the rust and cobwebs when they take on Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl on Tuesday.
Both teams come into Nashville, Tennessee after, underachieving regular seasons that left both
fan bases relatively underwhelmed. With both teams looking to end their respective seasons on a high note, here’s a look at five LSU players who could impact Tuesday’s showdown.
Leonard Fournette, RB
The freshman sensation made his presence known in the Southeastern Conference late in the season, bulldozing opposing defenders and spinning around would-be tacklers.
Fournette has the potential to create his own musical performance in Nashville against an ailing Notre Dame defense ranked in the bottom half of the FBS in rushing defense. The Irish allow more than 160 yards per game on the ground, including 244 yards per game in November.
Fournette is averaging 74 yards per game on the ground to go with his eight touchdowns. If the Tigers can take advantage of a rusty Notre Dame defense that has missed up to 12 key contributors due to injuries and suspensions throughout the season, it could be a rough afternoon for the Irish.
Ethan Pocic, OL
The Tigers’ offensive line has dominated opponents in the SEC as of late.
In LSU’s regular season finale against Texas A&M, the Tigers dominated possession, controlling the ball for more than 40 minutes while tallying 384 rushing yards. The Tigers’ offensive line found its identity late in the season, but with senior center Elliott Porter doubtful to play Tuesday the offensive line’s momentum could take a huge hit..
With the loss of Porter, Pocic may be expected to slide into the role of center against the Irish. Playing center won’t be new for the sophomore, who stepped in for Porter earlier in the season while he dealt with an NCAA suspension.
Pocic will be a player to keep an eye on as the Tigers hope to establish their run-first tactics early on against Notre Dame.
Travin Dural, WR
Dural has burst onto the scene during his sophomore campaign, proving his worth in the absence of NFL draft picks Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr.
Dural caught 37 passes for 758 yards and seven touchdowns this season. He averages 20.5 yards per catch, which ranks sixth in the nation. Dural has made his presence known against opposing schools, but his production has been diminished in recent weeks due to constant double coverage from opposing secondaries.
Dural has an opportunity to end his sophomore season on a high note against a banged-up Irish secondary, most notably at safety. While two of its four safeties are listed as probable to return, the Notre Dame secondary has given up 64 passing plays of 15 yards or more.
Dural’s big-play ability could exploit gaping holes in the Irish’s struggling defense that gives up 239.8 passing yards per game.
Ronald Martin, S
Martin has had a season to remember in his final year as a Tiger.
His 66 tackles are third highest for the Tigers, and Martin is tied for the team lead in interceptions with two. Against a Notre Dame offense that has thrown at least one pick in nine straight contests, Martin and the LSU secondary have the potential to have a field day against the opposing quarterbacks.
Kendell Beckwith, LB
Beckwith has been the difference-maker for LSU’s defense during its revival and surge to the top of the SEC.
Beckwith, since taking the starting job from senior linebacker D.J. Welter against Florida, has propelled himself to No. 2 on the Tigers’ tackling list with 68. LSU has given up only 237.8 yards per game and 15.2 points per game since Beckwith took over the starting role.
The 6-foot-2, 245-pound frame in the middle of the Tigers’ stout defense could give Irish quarterbacks Everett Golson and Malik Zaire fits as Notre Dame looks to patch up its turnover-happy offense.