What To Watch For In The LSU-South Carolina Game
By Scotty Nola
LSU fans are waiting for the Tigers to take the field in a surprise home game against South Carolina. Or is that a surprise home away from home game for the Gamecocks?
This game marks the return to SEC play for the Tigers with the heart of their schedule and their hopes for a slot in the College Football Playoffs finally here.
So far this year we have learned that Leonard Fournette is as good as…well, Leonard Fournette. Right now he’s in a category of one. We also know that the young defense is pretty good, albeit dealing with the occasional inconsistency. As for the passing game? Still hoping.
South Carolina isn’t a tune up game. A Steve Spurrier coached SEC opponent is never a pushover in spite of their early season struggles.
Still, this is LSU’s last chance to get lined up before a match up with red hot Florida, and we’re highlighting a few things to look for both on and off the field in Saturday’s game.
Purple Jerseys!
Oct 3, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles celebrates with his team following a game against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Eastern Michigan 44-22. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
LSU has a long standing tradition of wearing white in SEC games whether they are at home or away. As The Advocate pointed out this week this will be the first time LSU has worn purple at home against an SEC opponent since 1996.
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In that 1996 game LSU wore gold jerseys against Vanderbilt, you have to go back a couple more years to find a game where they wore purple.
As fashion goes this is a minor point, but it signifies something larger: LSU is playing in Baton Rouge but is considered an away team for the game. This means no white jerseys, no high school recruits as guests on the sideline, and not a whole lot more in the greater scheme of things.
Still, purple jerseys for an SEC
home game
game in Baton Rouge. You don’t see that every day.
Making South Carolina Feel At Home
Oct 3, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; The South Carolina state flag flies in heavy wind and rain during in the third quarter of the game between the Clemson Tigers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Clemson won 24-22. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
If you don’t recognize the above picture it’s the South Carolina State Flag in a heavy rainstorm. LSU fans know what living through weather is all about and everyone feels for the residents of South Carolina as they recover from storms and flooding earlier this week.
In addition to hosting the game LSU sent their charter jet to bring the Gamecocks to Baton Rouge free of charge. The Salvation Army will be in the stadium accepting donations on Saturday. And South Carolina fans will see this driving to campus:
I predict this will be the best welcome an SEC opponent has ever received to Tiger Stadium—at least off the field.
Dillon Gordon
Jan 1, 2014; Tampa, Fl, USA; LSU Tigers tight end Dillon Gordon (85) reacts after they scored a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
If you are a Big Easy Believer regular you have probably figured out that Dillon Gordon is one of my favorite Tigers. He has been out with a heel injury but he is listed back on the depth chart as a starter for Saturday’s contest.
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Dillon Gordon is a 6’5″ 308 lbs. Tight End who doesn’t catch many passes. Normally this would make him the least interesting player on the field. But Dillon Gordon is not a normal player.
If you want to have a little extra fun on Saturday watch out for #85 whenever the Tigers are on offense. Before the snap check out the player the Gamecocks put at defensive end on the strong side. I say this because teams have been known to line defensive tackles up on the outside in an attempt to withstand the natural force that is Dillon Gordon.
After the snap watching Gordon gets really fun. The Tigers are able to pull Vadal Alexander like a guard on a lot of plays because Gordon has just wiped out that side of the line.
I would suggest a drinking game, take a shot whenever Gordon trucks somebody but I want you still breathing by the 4th quarter. If you take a shot every time Gordon delivers a shot you will feel shot a little to early on Saturday.
Trey Quinn, DeSean Smith and DJ Chark
Oct 25, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Trey Quinn (8) is tackled by Mississippi Rebels defensive back Trae Elston (7) in the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi 10-7. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Quinn Smith and Chark have 2 pass receptions for the season between them. Normally these would not be guys to keep an eye out for when the Tigers take the field, at least not until junk time.
Still, Les Miles threatened to shuffle his pass catchers due to drops during his weekly press conference on Monday. Quinn Chark and Smith are the next men up if Travin Dural, Malachi Dupre and John Diarse don’t get a handle on the ball early.
Deion Jones and Rickey Jefferson
Oct 3, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Deion Jones (45) celebrates with teammates following an interception against the Eastern Michigan Eagles during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Eastern Michigan 44-22. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
If you are looking to the secondary I would love to say look out for Jalen Mills here. He is back to practicing in pads with the team but not quite ready for action. He was held off the depth chart against South Carolina.
I am looking for Jones and Jefferson to flash this week in one specific aspect of the game: blitz packages. South Carolina is starting a new QB for this game, and any defensive coordinator will dial up the blitz on passing downs against an inexperienced signal caller.
Rickey Jefferson and Deion Jones have been the most successful blitzers on the defense through 4. Expect to see them burning towards the QB a few times on Saturday, and team sack leaders Davon Godchaux and Lewis Neal to try to add to their season totals as well….
Next: Should Les Miles Shuffle WR's To Spark LSU Passing Game?