LSU will look to get its third straight victory against theUniversity of Georgia this weekend as the Tigers will take on theBulldogs in Sanford Stadium Saturday.
No. 13 LSU (3-1, 1-1 SEC) is coming off a 51-0 win at home lastweekend against Mississippi State, while No. 3 Georgia (3-0, 1-0)snuck past Marshall two weeks ago at home 13-3.
Coach Nick Saban said he has been pleased with the way his teamhas practiced this week.
“Practice has been pretty good this week,” Sabansaid. “I think we’ve had a little bit more spirit and alittle more spunk on both sides of the ball.”
LSU’s game at Georgia on Saturday will mark theTigers’ second road game of the season. LSU fell at Auburntwo weeks ago 10-9.
Saban said the Tigers will have to show they can play on theroad this Saturday.
“I think that we have to prove that we can go on the roadand have the mental and physical kind of focus that you need tohave for 60 minutes in the game,” Saban said. “We haveto have the kind of resiliency to play well on the road andovercome a lot of adversity from a good football team.”
Leading the Bulldogs will be senior quarterback David Greene,who went 17-for-30 with 209 yards against Marshall.
Greene’s top target, wide receiver Fred Gibson, hasaccumulated 192 yards on 14 catches with no touchdowns thisyear.
Complementing Gibson at the wide out position is senior ReggieBrown and junior Tyson Browning, who have combined for 261 yardsand three touchdowns through three games.
After losing starting tailback Kregg Lumpkin prior to the startof the season, freshman Danny Ware has taken over as the primaryrunning back, rushing for 180 yards on 26 carries.
Sophomore Michael Cooper and freshman Thomas Brown are backingup Ware, who have combined for 216 rushing yards and two touchdownsthis
season.
Senior linebacker Lionel Turner said that it is his job to helplead some of the younger players against Georgia.
“[Leadership] is very important, especially in a game likethis,” Turner said. If [younger players] see you out therecompeting and having fun, they’re going to what to do thesame thing.”
Saban said Georgia does a good job of mixing the pass with therun.
“They have balance running it, throwing it and they mix itup a lot and do a good job of play action,” Saban said.”This is a very diverse, well-defined offense that’sgoing to be a real challenge for us to defend.”
Leading LSU’s defensive charge will be senior cornerbackCorey Webster, who earned SEC Player of the Week honors last weekfollowing his performance against Mississippi State. Websterrecorded two tackles, an interception and a forced fumble in lastweek’s win.
LSU also ranks first in the SEC in total defense, allowing just236.8 yards per game.
Offensively, wide receiver Sklyer Green will be available toplay following an ankle injury in LSU’s first game againstOregon State.
“Skyler’s doing well,” Saban said. “Thisis by far the best he’s done. He’s done things with alot more consistency and it doesn’t seem like he’slimping.”
Sophomore running back Justin Vincent, who rushed for 201 yardson 18 carries and two touchdowns against Georgia in lastseason’s SEC Championship game, said its been an excitingweek of practice.
“This week’s practice has probably been the mostintense we’ve ever had,” Vincent said.”Everybody’s been hyped—yelling and screaming.Everybody’s ready to play ball.”