Record: 7-3 (4-2)
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Ed Orgeron, 2nd year (13-5 overall)
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Leading Passer: Danny Etling — 116-of-197, 1,806 yards, 11 TD, 2 INT
Leading Rusher: Derrius Guice — 164 carries, 929 yards, 9 TD
Leading Receiver: D.J. Chark — 29 catches, 718 yards, 2 TD
Oh yeah, there’s a game this week.
Vol fans have been so focused on Tennessee’s coaching search that the Vols’ game this weekend against LSU has taken a backseat. But Vol players are likely very focused on the Tigers, and they need to be considering just how good LSU is.
The Tigers are the first ranked team Tennessee has played since they played Alabama back on October 21st. And LSU isn’t nearly as good as the Tide, but the Tigers will be one of the better teams the Vols have faced this season. And some of the Tigers’ strengths are matched up against the Vols’ weaknesses.
Tennessee has already played the No. 1 and No. 2 rushing offenses in the SEC this year when they played Alabama and Georgia. LSU has the no. 5 rushing offense in the conference. The Vols have the worst run defense in the SEC.
Derrius Guice is one of the best running backs the Vols will have faced this season when they line up against him on Saturday. But he’s not the only back LSU has that can beat defenses. Darrel Williams has over 600 rushing yards and has proven to be dangerous, and Russell Gage is a versatile player who is a big play threat when healthy.
The Vols gave up 433 rushing yards to Missouri last weekend. They gave up 294 yards to Georgia and 272 yards to Alabama. In SEC play, Tennessee is giving up an average of 275 yards per game on the ground, and LSU is averaging 208 rushing yards per game against conference foes.
That’s about all you need to know for this match-up. But unfortunately for Tennessee, the bad news doesn’t stop there.
LSU’s defense may not be elite, but it’s still a good defense. The Tigers are second in the SEC in sacks on the season, piling up 31 sacks on the year. Tennessee, meanwhile, is tied with Florida for the most sacks allowed this season in the SEC, giving up 30 on the year.
Another thing that doesn’t bode well for the Vols is that LSU doesn’t turn the ball over hardly ever. They’re second behind only Alabama in the SEC in terms of giveaways this season, and Tennessee hasn’t done a great job forcing many turnovers in conference play aside from Kentucky fumbling the ball several times and the defense being able to force a few against Missouri.
LSU isn’t an elite team. They aren’t likely to beat you through the air if you can take away their run game. But Tennessee hasn’t been able to do that all season to any team, let alone teams who can actually run the ball very effectively.
The Vols could get a boost from their coaching change from last weekend. But it may not be enough to overcome the bad match-ups in this game. LSU just has too many good, talented players scattered across their roster.
