LSU enters McNeese week with questions surrounding Sam Leavitt’s health and how Lane Kiffin will handle his starting quarterback. This week’s mailbag tackles Leavitt’s status, the future of Alex Box Stadium, RJ Luis’ eligibility and the toughest game remaining on LSU’s schedule.
Does Sam Leavitt play on Saturday against McNeese after Lane Kiffin’s press conference yesterday?
I think there is a real chance that he doesn’t. Kiffin talked about injuries for more than half of his press conference on Monday. LSU doesn’t need Leavitt to win the game. Plus, a lot of rain is projected in Baton Rouge late this week and into the weekend.
I don’t think Kiffin is going to put Leavitt out there with a tender hamstring on a damp field.
Landen Clark can use the reps. Leavitt can get off his feet for a week.
With Vanderbilt’s baseball stadium expansion announcement yesterday, what will LSU do to The Box to keep up?
There is no doubt that The Box is falling behind in terms of premium seating areas and unique spectator spots across the league. Mississippi State, Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia and Vanderbilt have made or are making huge investments in their fan experience.
The Box still has metal bleachers making up every seat beyond the bases. That’s falling behind.
The question becomes, though, is the investment in the facility worthwhile, or do you funnel more of that money to building the roster? I can promise you Jay Johnson prioritizes his Friday starter and two-hole hitter over a beer garden in left field.
The players’ amenities from the locker room to the team room and the training areas are nice. I think Johnson would like a more expansive hitting and fielding facility behind the right field wall.
I don’t think the bleachers will be the only seating options in the outfield a decade from now, but I don’t sense anything is imminent.
LSU doesn’t have to bring in bells and whistles to get people to games, so the motivation isn’t there to make it happen. As long as the team wins, the place will be packed. The team has a better chance to win if the players are compensated well.
Does RJ Luis play for LSU basketball this season?
I don’t think so. Will Wade is always going to push the envelope. That’s his nature. However, the football program backed off the NFL roster invitees, and I think basketball will ultimately do the same.
Luis would absolutely help, but the SEC has decided its absolute breaking point with eligibility is a professional contract. Luis inked a pair. I don’t think he plays.
What’s the toughest game left on LSU’s schedule?
It’s one of the first three in November. Alabama has been awesome on offense against poor competition. Texas has been elite on defense and just ok on offense but has two really nice wins. Tennessee is on the road and has some talent.
Right now, I think it’s Alabama because of Keelon Russell and that offense. I’m just not consistently impressed by Arch Manning, Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo and the Texas offense despite some impressive parts.
The Longhorn offense played one good quarter between the Ohio State and Tennessee games, and I think scoring points on LSU in Tiger Stadium is going to be tough. Same goes for Faizon Brandon against Blake Baker’s group.
Collin Simmons is going to be a problem for LSU coming off the edge, but I don’t think it’ll take 30 to beat the Longhorns. It could take that many against Alabama is that Tide offense keeps rolling.
