The LSU Tigers are playing “Battleship” this week. Like the popular game where you strategically fire your weapons in hopes to sink the enemy, the Tigers have their own theories on how to get the magical words, “Battleship Sunk!” But, it will not be easy.
After its second bye week of the season, LSU (6-2, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) travels to Lexington, Ky., to meet Jared “Battleship” Lorenzen and Kentucky (6-3, 2-3) Saturday at 11:30 a.m. The game will be broadcast on Jefferson Pilot Sports.
LSU is looking to rebound from a 31-7 loss at Auburn Oct. 26, while the Wildcats blasted Mississippi State 45-24 last weekend.
“I thought we made progress fundamentally and made improvement as a team [during the bye week],” LSU coach Nick Saban said at his Monday press luncheon. “I think one of the things that you really want your team to be able to do is have every individual actually make improvement and play better at this time of the season so that every unit can play better. I think that’s how your team continues to improve. That’s what your team needs to focus on so your team has a chance to get better.”
Saban and the Tigers are looking for a way to limit the impact of Lorenzen’s cannon of a left arm and the Kentucky team.
“I think everybody needs to respect the fact that Kentucky is a very good football team. They’re six and three. They’ve won as many games as we have. They probably have one of the best offensive teams in the country.”
Lorenzen, a 6-foot-4 and (listed at) 275-pound junior quarterback, leads the surging Wildcats, who are one of the most improved teams in the nation after back-to-back 2-9 seasons in 2000 and 2001. During that stretch, Kentucky produced a 1-15 SEC record.
“I think last year they lost four or five games by three or four points,” Saban said. “I think this year they’ve won some of those games.”
Despite having its best season since 1999 when the Wildcats went 6-6, Kentucky is not bowl eligible and cannot win the SEC East because the squad remains on probation.
Lorenzen leads the SEC in passing efficiency at 143.2 with 20 touchdowns compared to three interceptions. Much like a battleship is tough to sink at sea, Lorenzen is difficult to bring down.
“He’s a very good decision maker who is accurate with the ball and has a strong arm,” Saban said. “He’s very difficult to sack. He makes some tough plays off of broken plays, because people don’t get him on the ground. He’s an outstanding quarterback.”
Kentucky also possesses running back Artose Pinner, who has 996 rushing yards and receiver Derek Abney, who has returned a kickoff and four punts for touchdowns.
Saban said LSU is looking forward to the challenge of playing Kentucky.
“The spirit and the enthusiasm on the team is very good,” Saban said. “I’m pleased with what we’ve been able to accomplish at this point. I think that every game at this point is a one-game season, and I think that’s the way our players need to approach it.”
Injuries
Cornerback Demetrius Hookfin’s ankle still is not 100 percent, but he dressed for practice Monday. Defensive end Marcus Spears, who missed the Auburn game with a high-ankle sprain, also practiced, but Saban did not say at what percent.
“[Spears] has made really good progress, and we are hopeful that he will be ready to go in this game,” Saban said.