LSU Football: Previewing Tiger's opening clash with BYU

The college football season is finally here, and it’s already been an eventful week for the LSU football team as they begin game-planning for for their first opponent of the 2017 season.

Earlier this week, LSU football team found out they will be playing their season opener against BYU in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The game was initially scheduled to take place at NRG Stadium in Houston, but due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, they decided that NRG Stadium was no longer fit to host the annual Advocare Kickoff Classic.

Ed Orgeron enters his first full season as LSU football coach, after leading the team to a 6-2 record last year as the team’s interim head coach.

After watching the BYU Cougars fight to a rather uneventful 20-6 win over FCS foe Portland State last Saturday, the LSU staff accumulated 60 minutes worth of BYU tape to study up on in preparation of Saturday night’s showdown.

Despite the absence of Preseason All-American pass rusher Arden Key (shoulder), the Tigers will walk into the Superdome as 15 1/2-point favorites over the Cougars (1-0).

Here are two things that the Tigers need to do on Saturday night to win their season opener.

KEYS TO VICTORY:

Air It Out

AUBURN, AL – SEPTEMBER 24: Danny Etling (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

After months of anticipation, Matt Canada will finally unveil his new-look offense to the college football world on Saturday night in his debut as LSU offensive coordinator. Canada’s brand of offense promises to give Tiger fans what they’ve been craving — a quick-paced, modernized offense that plays to its quarterback’s strengths, and not away from them.

Canada’s offense emphasizes three and four-receiver sets, making it difficult for defenses to load the box to stop the run. However, even with Derrius Guice lining up in the backfield, success on the ground will be difficult to come by, especially with a young, inexperienced offensive line. BYU displayed some great run defense last week, holding Portland State 86 yards on the ground, including 2.4 yards per carry.

If Canada wants to see his offense can live up to the hype, he’s going to need Danny Etling to come through with some big throws on Saturday night.

Control the possession, in time and turnovers

BYU managed 365 yards of total offense on a team that, in all fairness, should have lost by more than just 14 points. But, the one stat to note here is that the BYU offense maintained possession for over 30 minutes without turning the ball over.

As solid as LSU’s defense was a year ago under first-year defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, the Tigers only forced 17 turnovers in 2016 which was tied for 13th in the SEC. On the other side, BYU finished with the seventh best turnover margin in the FBS last season, forcing 31 turnovers, and turning the ball over 18 times.

BYU controlled the pace of the game against Portland State last Saturday and relied on it’s defense to outlast the Vikings in a 20-6 victory. LSU cannot allow that to happen on Saturday. Aranda and his young, talented defense will be relied on to force a few turnovers and make some key stops when necessary. LSU needs to keep the ball out of the hands of the BYU offense so they can control the time of possession and the pace of the game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

RG — Saahdiq Charles & Ed Ingram

I list both of these players because Orgeron hasn’t confirmed which of these true freshman will win the starting job at right guard, but he made it clear that both will see action on Saturday night. After Maea Teuhema’s sudden departure last month, LSU will be forced to start a true freshman at right guard.

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This will be the first time that LSU has started a true freshman on its offensive line since the 1950’s, and it will be interesting to see how both of these youngsters hold up against BYU’s stout front seven.

CB — Kevin Toliver

There’s a reason LSU football calls themselves “DBU”, although I don’t think the Florida Gators would agree. After an exciting true freshman campaign in 2015, Toliver suffered somewhat of a sophomore slump last year and watched his role on the defense shrink in 2016. Now, after an impressive offseason, the former 5-star recruit has solidified himself as LSU’s starting corner opposite Donte Jackson.

One thing that stuck out to me when BYU played Portland State, was the lack of separation that the BYU receivers were able to get against Portland State’s defensive backs. BYU quarterback Tanner Magnum only threw for 194 yards in Saturday’s win and really struggled to connect with his receivers downfield. If that trend continues, I expect Toliver and Jackson to have an absolute field day locking down the the Cougars’ pass catchers.

PREDICTION: 27-14 LSU

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LSU Football: Previewing the Tigers’ season-opening clash with BYU

By Ryan Micklin | Aug 31, 2017