On paper, No. 1 LSU (4-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) versus Kentucky (2-2, 0-1 SEC) doesn’t look like a marquee matchup.
However, the last time No. 1 LSU faced Kentucky, the Tigers couldn’t keep up with the Wildcats.
The last showdown between the two schools came a week after LSU achieved the No. 1 ranking in 2007, just like this season’s matchup.
The Tigers fell, 43-37, to Kentucky in a triple-overtime battle.  The Wildcats forced two LSU interceptions during the game at Commonwealth Stadium, while the Tigers shot themselves in the foot by racking up 12 penalties for 103 yards.
“There was a Kentucky game … and it humbled a very talented team,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “We’ll recognize that a talented team being ranked No. 1 doesn’t necessarily fare too well the next week.”
Sophomore defensive tackle Michael Brockers said Miles has brought up the 2007 game at multiple team meetings this week.
“We’re putting a big emphasis on this game,” Brockers said. “We’re not letting up.”
The Kentucky team that defeated LSU in 2007 was a different team than this year’s. They were ranked much of the season and ended up winning a bowl game.
This season is another story for the Wildcats. Instead of beating No. 1 teams, Kentucky has even taken criticism from Sun Belt bottom feeders.
“They supposed to be SEC!” Western Kentucky linebacker Andrew Jackson taunted the Kentucky football team from the sideline as his Hilltoppers stayed competitive with the Wildcats.
The Hilltoppers (0-3) eventually fell, 14-3, to Kentucky in their first game of the season, but the Wildcats haven’t done well this season for an SEC team.
But that won’t stop them from going all-out when they come to Death Valley on Saturday.
In fact, senior offensive guard Will Blackwell said the Wildcats, a team with nothing to lose, will be a dangerous opponent for LSU.
“They’ll be fighting for their lives,” he said. “Their season’s on the line. We’re going to get their best shot.”
Kentucky coach Joker Phillips said his team needs to stay relaxed and play its own game against the Tigers without worrying about records or prestige.
“A lot of people are going to view it as a huge challenge, but we view it as a huge opportunity,” Phillips said. “We’ll go down there, let it rip.”
While Kentucky ranks No. 10 in the SEC in total offense and total defense, it brings a few playmakers the Tigers will have to watch.
Senior linebacker Danny Trevathan leads the SEC in tackles per game, while fellow senior linebacker Winston Guy ranks third in the SEC in the same category.
Junior quarterback Morgan Newton will also provide a challenge for the Tigers as a passer that has the ability to move outside of the pocket.
“He’s a very talented thrower and a guy that sees the field,” Miles said. “He’s very accurate. The quarterback’s putting the ball on the money.”
The game will be anything but usual for the Tigers, as the game will kick off at 11:20 a.m., a rare late-morning game in Tiger Stadium.
“I haven’t played in the morning since little league,” sophomore running back Spencer Ware said. “I’m going to have to wake up earlier, get moving and get my mind thinking it’s the afternoon, even if it’s not.”
The Tigers are confident in their ability to continue making big plays, even at a time they’re not used to.
“It’s expected,” said sophomore defensive end Sam Montgomery. “Somebody’s going to make a big-time play and we’ll be consistent.”
LSU ranks first in the SEC in turnover margin at +8, including four turnovers forced at West Virginia.
Phillips is wary of protecting the ball against the Tigers.
“The thing we can’t do is make the mistake, get all uptight, make another mistake and they start to mount,” he said. “Then all heck breaks loose. We can’t have that. We’ve just got to relax and play ball.”
Miles said the Tigers go out of their way not only to teach the defense to make big plays, but also to emphasize ball security in every practice.
“Our quarterback, to this point in time, is making better decisions thanks to [quarterbacks coach Steve] Kragthorpe,” Miles said. “I think there’s a real concerted effort to do the right thing with that ball. It’s ours — we want it returned to us.”
 
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Contact Albert Burford at [email protected]