by No. 8 Tennessee and No. 25 LSU will meet in a key SEC clash on Saturday as the Tigers host the Volunteers for the first time since 2010. LSU has won its last five in the series, but the Tigers are lightly underdogs at home against a Tennessee team that has climbed to its highest ranking in the AP poll since 2006.
LSU just cracked the poll for the first time this season under first-year coach Brian Kelly after improving to 4-1 with a 21-17 win at Auburn. The Tigers opened the season with a devastating 24-23 loss to Florida State, but have rattled off four straight since then while trying to establish an identity for their new staff.
Whoever wins this game figures to enjoy some national attention as the 2022 midseason approaches. Including this game, LSU plays three of its next four at home against teams ranked in the top 10, and a win would boost how tough to win at Tiger Stadium before visiting No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 1 Alabama. in the coming weeks.
The Volunteers, meanwhile, can brace themselves for a huge matchup at home against the Crimson Tide next week if they come out of Death Valley with a 5-0 record.
LSU vs. Tennessee: Gotta find out
Star Receiver Questions: Coming off a 1,000-yard season in 2021, Tennessee’s Cedric Tillman got off to a fast start this season before injuring his ankle in Week 3 against Akron. Tillman underwent surgery and coach Josh Heupel was noncommittal this week on whether he will play against LSU.
As for the Tigers, Kelly has repeatedly found himself fielding questions this season about Kayshon Boutte. Ranked No. 10 in CBS Sports’ 2023 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings, the former five-star has just 11 catches for 97 yards through four games this season. Boutte missed the Tigers’ win over New Mexico for the birth of his child, but that one-game absence only partially explains why the star junior ranks just fourth on the team in receptions and sixth in receiving yards. “Would he have liked the ball more? Absolutely,” Kelly said, “but he handled himself the right way and continues to work for the team.”
A wild finish: The last time these teams met at Tiger Stadium in 2010, a particularly wild ending unfolded that may be painful for Tennessee fans to relive. However, LSU fans likely have fond memories, considering the Tigers escaped with a 16-14 victory after a surprise layup after it appeared the Volunteers had stuffed LSU on the final play of the game. The only problem was that, in the frenzy of the final seconds of the game, Tennessee ended up with too many players on the field. So even though a botched snap ruined the Tigers’ chances of a game-winning touchdown, they had a chance to run another play from the 1-yard line. From there, Stevan Ridley ran it in for a touchdown. The loss was seen as a microcosm of Tennessee coach Derek Dooley’s three-year tenure and started a four-game losing streak for the Volunteers. LSU finished 11-2 with a win in the Cotton Bowl.
Quarter Battle: Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is largely responsible for the Volunteers’ No. 1 offense, but his counterpart is still figuring things out. LSU’s Jaden Daniels has not thrown an interception this season, completing 67.9 percent of his passes and has 321 yards rushing as a true dual-threat quarterback. But he was also just 8 of 20 for 80 yards against Auburn last week and hasn’t fully clicked with Boutte. LSU’s passing offense ranks 68th in the nation and Daniels has just one passing touchdown in his last three games
Playing the Volunteers could be just what they need to get back on track. Tennessee ranks 128th in passing yards allowed per game at 309.2. in a 38-33 win over Florida two weeks ago, Tennessee allowed Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson to throw for 453 yards, surpassing his previous career record of 200 yards. As a freshman at Arizona State in 2019, Daniels threw for 2,943 yards and had seven performances of 250 yards or more. If he’s going to find that form again, this could be the week he starts.
How to watch LSU vs. Tennessee live
Date: Saturday, Oct. 8 | year: 12 pm. ET
Location: Tiger Stadium — Baton Rouge, Louisiana
TV: ESPN | Live broadcast: fuboTV (Try Free)
LSU vs. Tennessee prediction, picks
Selected game | LSU Tigers vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Auburn racked up 438 yards against LSU’s defense last week, which is concerning given how weak Auburn has been offensively this season. While LSU pulled off a big road win, much of it was likely due to a +3 margin. Replicating that against Tennessee’s high-powered offense could be a problem. LSU shouldn’t have much trouble scoring against the Volunteers, but Tennessee is more consistent offensively and should be able to get past the Tigers. Prediction: Tennessee (-3)
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