For the first time since late September, LSU is on the road.
By the time the Tigers and the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide kickoff Saturday, six weeks will have passed since LSU last faced a hostile crowd — the Syracuse University Orange fans on Sept. 26.
It marks the longest period LSU has gone without playing on the road during a season under coach Les Miles.
Despite the road-game hiatus, sophomore safety Jamal Adams vowed LSU will be ready no matter how raucous Alabama’s crowd is.
“We haven’t been on the road, but it’s just another test,” Adams said. “How great would it be to beat a team [in its] house?”
Playing away from Tiger Stadium is nothing new for LSU, but this is only the fourth time under Miles that LSU had to adjust to life outside of Death Valley after playing at least four consecutive games at Tiger Stadium.
In 2008, LSU played five games in a row at home, the most under Miles. But a Friday kickoff against Arkansas on the back end of that run meant the time between road games was just shy of six weeks.
The University of South Carolina game, played two weeks ago at Tiger Stadium, was supposed to be played in Columbia, but the state was devastated by historic flooding, and the game was moved to Baton Rouge. Technically, it was an away game for LSU, but the vast majority of the crowd were familiar faces.
During Miles’ tenure, the Tigers’ record in road games immediately following two consecutive games at home is 5-2 (6-2 if you count a 2013 Outback Bowl win against Iowa). LSU is 4-4 in away games immediately after three straight games at Tiger Stadium and 1-1 in road ties following four straight in Death Valley. LSU’s only five-game home stand under Miles was followed with a loss.
The Tigers’ last three home stands of more than three games were all followed with a loss on the road.
In 2013, the University of Georgia defeated LSU narrowly, 44-41. Last fall, LSU suffered heavy defeats to Auburn University and University of Arkansas, both losses following a long stretch at home.
Freshman offensive lineman Will Clapp said Miles will adjust and prepare for the return to the road.
Junior center Ethan Pocic said LSU’s road preparation starts in practice with crowd noise and cadence. He said the long run without any away games won’t affect the Tigers.
“Even though we didn’t do it for six weeks — or however long it is — we’ve done it this season and last season,” Pocic said. “We just have to get back in the groove.”
Sophomore wide receiver Malachi Dupre said he is excited about playing in Bryant-Denny Stadium. He relishes the chance to finally play away from Tiger Stadium for one reason: to silence Alabama’s crowd.
“I like playing on the road,” Dupre said. “There’s no better feeling than me just making a play in front of the home crowd of another team and shutting them up. That’s one of the things I’m looking forward to.”