We asked the team at 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge to pick an aspect of the game they’re most interested in this weekend. They added final score predictions as well in this week’s Station Survey.
Jacob Hester, Co-Host Off the Bench: I’ll be watching the Star position. Is it Major Burns, or could we see someone else there to allow Burns to play more of a true safety role? 42-21 LSU
T-Bob Hebert, Co-Host, Off the Bench: The bottom line is that LSU continues to improve week over week. After connecting with Kyle Parker for an explosive last week and with the potential return of Chris Hilton, I believe LSU is going to take explosive shots in this game that will pay off a couple of times. Also, I see a defense that is full of young players that are ascending. My MAIN GOAL is for this defense to hold South Alabama under 20 points. Don’t get Guggenheim’d! 41-17 LSU
Taylor Sharp, Video Producer, Off the Bench: As far as player I’ll be keeping my eyes on Chris Hilton if he plays. This offense lacks a true deep threat receiver without Hilton in the lineup. If he can return to the field, it could make the LSU offense even more dangerous. I also want to see the Tigers defense play a complete game. Can they shut down a talented Jaguars offense? 42-20 LSU
Alondra Villareal, Audio Producer, Off the Bench: I’ll be interested to see the linebacker group without Harold Perkins and how they adjust to losing him. 44-21 LSU
Charles Hanagriff, Co-Host, Live at Lunch: Will this game mark the return of Chris Hilton in what figures to be a high scoring contest? 44-21 LSU
Hunt Palmer, Host, The Hunt Palmer Show: Run damn ball. Surely LSU can line up and push South Alabama around a little bit. Create some space for your running backs. If LSU can’t get a crease for the running backs to get a head of steam, I’ll be disappointed. I don’t think I will be, though. 47-13 LSU
Jacob Beck, Audio Producer, The Hunt Palmer Show: Linebackers. How does this unit respond to the loss of Harold Perkins? South Alabama is 20th in the country in rushing yards per game and the Tigers have struggled with run fits at the second level. 45-20 LSU
Matt Moscona, Host, After Further Review: I’ll be watching USA quarterback Gio Lopez’s rushing total. He had a good day against Appalachian State and is the closest thing LSU has seen to LaNorris Sellers from South Carolina. The Tigers were unable to stop big runs against the Gamecocks and Nicholls. They do it Saturday night. 44- 24 LSU
Matthew Musso, Audio Producer, After Further Review: Dominick McKinley. Dom made his debut last week against UCLA playing 18 snaps and picking up his first career sack. How does the ramp up and development increase now that he’s full strength after turf toe? LSU is looking for another playmaker or game wrecker on defense now that Harold Perkins is out. I think McKinley could become that which would give you three on the defensive line along with Swinson and Sai’vion Jones. 41-24 LSU
Paul O’Neill, Video Producer, After Further Review: I will be keeping an eye on the defensive line and veteran Gio Paez. The Tigers are still finding a rotation along the line after the season ending injury to Jacobian Guillory. Paez is the veteran along the defensive line but has plenty of young talent around him. Can Paez be the one to step up or will the Tigers have to rely more on their youth in the absence of Guillory? The Tigers should have plenty of reps to go around against South Alabama, so this could be another try out game to see who gets most of the reps once LSU hits the meat of their schedule. 45-20 LSU
