Saturday’s tailgate requires an alarm.
The midweek shopping run probably included Bailey’s and orange juice. Not together, of course. When feet hit the floor on game day, fall weather will descend on South Louisiana.
It’s what we spend all of July and August talking about around here.
All week, the discussion about Kamario Taylor’s injury has swirled amongst talking heads and group texts in Louisiana and Mississippi and for good reason. Taylor is a dynamic talent that elevated the Bulldogs to a 5-0 record with wins over Minnesota and a good Missouri team. His availability on Saturday is the biggest story in the game.
From LSU’s perspective, it shouldn’t be. Even if he does play, LSU should rise up and prove its place amongst playoff contenders in the Southeastern Conference.
Last week made that appear unlikely.
After a week, it was fair to call LSU a threat. The Tigers scored 51 unanswered on Clemson. Week 2 brought a turnover-stained effort against Louisiana Tech, but it snuck under the national radar.
The powder keg of emotions in Oxford came next, and LSU withstood it until the game’s final snap. The rebound was admirable against Texas A&M, and McNeese posed no threat. The loss to Kentucky lumped LSU in with a group of solid clubs bound to eat each other alive in the league.
To this point, Georgia and Alabama have elevated themselves by hammering every opponent but each other.
LSU will get its swing at the Tide in November. The goal now is to get there with only two losses. That starts Saturday morning in Death Valley.
Perhaps Billy Puckett, all 180 pounds of him, will take the first snap for head coach Jeff Lebby’s team. Perhaps it’s Taylor’s rocket of a right arm. Either way, LSU should handle business in Tiger Stadium. If not, start browsing the Florida bowl games with a wandering eye on Charlotte or Houston.
That’s not what anyone around here signed up for.
LSU boasts a strong advantage on the edges when State has the ball. The Tigers’ secondary is littered with future pros. The linebackers have strong credentials. Offensively, LSU has moved the ball on every opponent and been in position to win every game.
After six weeks of action, LSU leads the SEC in total offense and total defense. That’s remarkably rare, however, the Tigers’ record doesn’t reflect the team’s statistical prowess. Two losses means the margin for error has been reduced to zero.
You wanted LSU in the playoffs? You got it. They start Saturday.
Whether Taylor dons his shoulder pads, or throws on a hoodie with a walking boot on when he comes out of the southeast tunnel, LSU’s job is to play better and control the game.
Clean up the turnovers. No special teams busts. Catch the ball. Force some incompletions.
In spurts, LSU has done it all. Too often, the Tigers haven’t.
This team isn’t a lost cause like last year’s about this time. It’s actually shown an upside worthy of playoff consideration. The resume’ doesn’t match because of a pair of road losses. LSU can’t climb that hurdle on Saturday. A trip to The Plains at Auburn awaits for a chance at road redemption.
State enters a field where LSU has outscored opponents, 194-44. Aside from a 100-yard dash by a Louisiana Tech defender from end zone to end zone, LSU has completely dictated the terms of all four home games. If the Tigers have plans on prolonging the hope of this season, Saturday should be no different.
Welcome to fall. Fill your cup. Grab some sleeves. This is an LSU team that can make things interesting in three weeks, but that requires a level of performance. Taylor’s absence certainly affects the degree of difficulty, but it’s not the only storyline.
The Tigers have eight quarters to play to determine whether or not they’re a part of November’s college football drama.
This is the rivalry LSU has played most times in history. It’s cowbells and cocktails that fill the campus at an early hour.
Wake up.
