Disclaimer: these are the opinions of The Daily Reveille’s sports staff
Jarrett Major | LSU Defense vs. MSU offense
I am interested to see how LSU’s defense will stack up against its first real test from an offense. BYU has struggled so far this season to get its offense going and Chattanooga was without its starting quarterback. Mississippi State should pose more of a challenge.
So far, Mississippi State has been led by dual threat quarterback Nick Fitzgerald who has totaled 363 yards passing and 151 yards rushing on the season in games against Charleston Southern and Louisiana Tech. There is a difference between LSU and La Tech, though, but Mississippi State has been impressive.
LSU’s defense has been equally impressive this season. LSU held BYU to -5 yards rushing, and kept the Cougars from getting across the 50. Against the Mocs, LSU limited Chattanooga to just 10 points. That stellar performance came without star linebacker Arden Key, who should make a big impact in his debut against the Bulldogs.
Glen West | Andraez “Greedy” Williams
Williams has been a standout in the secondary for the first two games for the Tigers. Williams was able to hold his starting spot last week after junior Kevin Toliver came back from a one week suspension.
Williams will get his first chance at SEC action against the Bulldogs, and will be tested against receivers Donald Gray and Deddrick Thomas. Gray and Thomas lead the Bulldogs in catches and each have a touchdown on the season.
Williams has two interceptions, three pass breakups and eight tackles for the Tigers, and led all freshmen in position rating in week two with a 91.3 grade.
Kennedi Landry | Canada’s offense
LSU’s offense has had a stunning start to its season with 933 total yards, but the offense will get its first real test on Saturday against Mississippi State.
The Tigers have run an abbreviated version of its new offense in the first two games. With 518 rushing yards and 415 passing yards, LSU has not been particularly challenged by BYU or Chattanooga.
Canada can be expected to show a lot more of the offense than he has in previous weeks, with Mississippi State as the first SEC opponent.
LSU coach Ed Orgeron said that the team ran “less than half” of offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s playbook against BYU, so a lot is to be expected from the offense going forward.
Chris Caldarera | The return of Arden Key
Fans should keep their eyes on Arden Key this weekend against Mississippi State.
The junior linebacker will see his first action of the season after being sidelined with a shoulder injury for LSU’s first two games against BYU and Chattanooga.
Although Key’s veteran presence on the gridiron will be beneficial for the Tigers’ young defensive unit, he is not quite ready to be the same headache that he was for opposing teams last year.
“To be honest with you he’s a little rusty,” coach Ed Orgeron told nola.com’s Andrew Lopez. “We’re going to have to rotate him in the game; he cannot play a whole game right now.”
Last season, Key led LSU’s defense with 14.5 tackles for loss and also logged a school record 12 sacks.
Hannah Martin | Jack Gonsoulin takes back starting role
LSU coach Ed Orgeron announced Thursday night that walk-on Jack Gonsoulin would be the kicker against Mississippi State.
Gonsoulin, who is 2-for-4, was replaced by redshirt freshman Connor Culp against Chattanooga.
Orgeron expressed his frustration with the kicking and special teams after Gonsoulin and Culp went 3-for-6 combined after two games.
Following the Chattanooga game, Orgeron opened up the kicking competition, giving Gonsoulin the chance to earn his starting role back.
“I hope Jack can get it done,” Orgeron said. “I have confidence that he had a good week and hopefully can be more consistent, but he’s going to have to show me just like the kickoffs.”
Being able to capitalize on field goal opportunities will play a difference in the LSU offense. Orgeron said following the Chattanooga game that a decision to convert on a fourth down solely came from a lack of confidence in the kickers.
However, a strong week in practice could be the confidence booster that Gonsoulin needed.
