Two Truths and a Lie: Is South Carolina a ‘get right’ game?

By Chris Marler

This Sunday will be a little different since it was a bye week for LSU, but nonetheless, it’s time for two truths and a lie for the Tigers. 

Truth No. 1 – The schedule is tougher than we thought.

At the start of the season, LSU fans celebrated not having Texas or Georgia on the schedule. The SEC slate is never easy, but skipping last year’s title contenders felt like a major break.

One month into the season and you could make the argument that getting Texas on the schedule would’ve been a gift. Despite a loss against Alabama, Vanderbilt is still a good football team. That game will be the first of three straight games against currently ranked teams. 

The whole 1-0 mentality is going to be huge getting LSU through an upcoming gauntlet. 

Truth No. 2 – Time heals all wounds.

The health of Garrett Nussmeier has monopolized all the headlines. However, the health of RB Caden Durham and OL Weston Davis may be more important long term, Nussmeier and Aaron Anderson are vital. But, you can get a win on Saturday without them being at 100%. 

South Carolina has the 11th ranked rushing defense in the SEC in both rushing yards allowed (143.2) and yards per carry (3.63). Unlike the Ole Miss game, making a consistent and actual effort at establishing the run game will be the key to winning. 

The Tigers need Nuss for all big picture goals that are still in front of them. However, to go 1-0 in their next game Durham and Davis would be a massive pickup. 

The Lie – The South Carolina game is a “get right” game. 

South Carolina is an incredibly flawed football team. But, they took LSU down to the wire a season ago, and if LaNorris Sellers goes off they can absolutely do it again. 

The biggest concern for LSU going into next Saturday is focusing on how to stop Sellers. But, taking the Gamecocks lightly as a “get right” game before they go into three consecutive games against ranked opponents would be a massive mistake. Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks were 3-1 on the road last year. The quickest way to derail the rest of the season would be to not take the first game after the bye seriously.