The LSU Tigers will host South Carolina on Saturday instead of traveling to Columbia due to flooding in the state of South Carolina, but they won't be gracious hosts. Here are three reasons why LSU will beat the Gamecocks this weekend:
3) LSU's defense
LSU was bound to take a step back last year after losing so many juniors to the NFL Draft in the two seasons prior, but the defense got better as the season progressed, though, finishing 18th in yards allowed per play and third in defensive passer rating. That's continued this year, as the Tigers rank 16th in the country in yards allowed per game despite playing two SEC games - not cupcakes like a lot of the teams ranked above them.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis left for Texas A&M, but new coordinator Kevin Steele has inherited a star-studded secondary led by cornerback Tre'Davious White and safeties Jamal Adams and Jalen Mills. Linebacker Kendell Beckwith is a star, and the inexperienced players up front have been as good as anyone could have hoped.
2) South Carolina's offensive questions
Steve Spurrier has always had great offenses throughout his career, but that is far from the case this year. South Carolina ranks 100th in the country in total offense and 118th in scoring offense, putting them as perhaps the worst unit in the SEC. Throw in the fact that quarterback Perry Orth will be making his second career start - in Death Valley, no less - and all signs point to a potential shutout by the LSU defense.
1) Leonard Fournette
South Carolina's defense has been one of the worst in the country over the past year and a half, particularly when it comes to tackling. So, what happens when such a crappy run defense meets up with the far-and-away Heisman candidate, LSU RB Leonard Fournette, and his three straight 200-plus yard running games? Pure and utter domination. Also, Les Miles is the kind of coach that won't shy away from using Fournette all four quarters in a blowout win to help bump the kid's Heisman stock up a notch or two.
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