LSU Offense vs. Tennessee Defense
Though LSU has shown good offensive balance thus far, expect the Tigers to show a strong commitment to the ground game this week. First off, they are in excellent position to wear Tennessee's front seven down over the course of the game. Losing Justin Harrell to a season-ending arm injury earlier this year robbed the Volunteers of one of their best defenders and weakened the depth at defensive tackle. OG's Brian Johnson and Herman Johnson are effective drive blockers and they are relentless once in position. They line up opposite DT's Turk McBride and Matt McGlothlin who lack ideal size making them vulnerable to wearing down. In addition, the ability of the offensive guards to move McBride and McGlothlin off the ball will make it easier to reach MLB Marvin Mitchell at the second level. Mitchell will regularly have to fight through blocks as a result and that makes him vulnerable to tiring as the game progresses. Making matters worse, RB's
Alley Broussard,
Jacob Hester,
Justin Vincent,
Charles Scott and
Keiland Williams have carried the ball at least 23 times. Broussard should get the bulk of the work but offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher will keep his backs fresh by rotating them. Secondly, QB
JaMarcus Russell struggled at Auburn and at Florida earlier this year so Fisher should use the run to take some pressure of him.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis is one of the best in the business and look for him to bring pressure from a number of different angles in an effort to hurry Russell's decisions. First off, Russell is accurate and it's important to note he threw three of his four interceptions against Florida because it shows he has done an excellent job of protecting the football for the most part. If he gets enough time, he should find the open man and Tennessee's front four hasn't done a great job of generating pressure. Secondly, Russell has the size and mobility to buy second chances in the pocket. Sending five-to-six pass rushers gives the Volunteers an opportunity to gang tackle him. Thirdly, Chavis can afford to be aggressive because his secondary can hold its own in coverage. DC's Antwan Stewart and Jonathan Wade have good size and man-to-man cover skills. They are capable of limiting the production of WR's
Craig Davis and
Dwayne Bowe. In addition, FS Jonathan Heffney is a former corner who covers a lot of ground and has good ball skills. However, the Volunteers must stay disciplined. Davis, Bowe
Early Doucet and TE
Richard Dickson can all make plays downfield. If Tennessee bites on play action, Russell has the arm strength to find one of his playmakers downfield. The Volunteers can't be too aggressive when Russell moves out of the pocket either. If the corners and safeties play run before he crosses the line of scrimmage, he should be able to find an open man.
Tennessee Offense vs. LSU Defense
Injuries have hit Tennessee's backfield hard, as RB
LaMarcus Coker is out with a knee injury and
Arian Foster has been hindered by an ankle injury.
Montario Hardesty has good size and runs hard but he hasn't been as effective as the other two backs. It makes sense that the Volunteers need to create quality seams for their backs to be effective running the ball as a result. The problem is that's easier said than done this week. LDT Glenn Dorsey possesses a good blend of quickness and power. He should draw double teams, which will help free up RDT Marlon Favorite. If and when Tennessee doesn't commit two blockers to Dorsey, he is capable of getting into the backfield. In addition, the Volunteers should have a hard time sealing the edge. RDE Chase Pittman has good initial quickness and athletic ability. He will make it difficult for LOT Arron Sears to reach his outside shoulder. LDE Tyson Jackson has excellent size and lower body strength so ROT Eric Young will have a hard time driving him off the ball. With the front four controlling the line of scrimmage, LB's Luke Sanders, Ali Highsmith and Danny Beckwith won't have to fight through as many blocks and they are sound open field tacklers.
Tennessee has surrendered just six sacks thus far but don't be surprised to see LSU consistently get to QB
Erik Ainge. First off, Ainge injured his ankle last week. Though he is expected to play, there is a good chance the injury affects his mobility and ability to buy second chances in the pocket. Secondly, Jackson and Pittman are effective pass rushers. Jackson has the lower body strength and size to push Young back into the pocket. Sears is capable of keeping Pittman out of the backfield but he has been slowed by foot and elbow injuries. Secondly, OC Josh McNeil is a redshirt freshman and defensive coordinator Bo Pelini does a good job of exploiting offensive weaknesses. Pelini should test the interior offensive line with line stunts and blitzes. Thirdly, the Tigers' secondary is experienced and talented. DC's Chevis Jackson and Jonathan Zenon are quick and they rarely get caught out of position. WR's
Robert Meachem and
Jayson Swain, who has been slowed by an ankle injury, will have a hard time separating from Jackson and Zenon so Ainge will have to hold onto the ball longer. This doesn't bode well for Tennessee because Ainge doesn't always make sound decisions under pressure and he can't afford to make any mistakes with FS LaRon Landry roaming the middle of the field. Landry reads the quarterback's eyes, he has great closing speed and he rarely drops passes he should intercept. In the event Ainge can't play this week,
Jonathan Crompton is expected to replace him. Crompton is a redshirt freshman and his ability to perform in a big game is a concern, especially since the Tigers' pass rush should have success getting to the quarterback.
Matchups
LSU QB
JaMarcus Russell vs. Tennessee FS Jonathan Heffney
Tennessee LOT Arron Sears vs. LSU RDE Chase Pittman
Tennessee QB
Erik Ainge vs. LSU FS LaRon Landry
Scouts' Edge
A rash of injuries will be too much for Tennessee's offense to overcome against a strong LSU defense. The Tigers' stout front seven will control the line of scrimmage and limit the production of the Volunteer backs. They will effectively make Tennessee a one-dimensional passing attack and force Ainge to throw downfield. LSU's front four will fly upfield when Tennessee gets into situations with pass-heavy tendencies and Ainge will have a difficult time finding the open man with consistent pressure in his face. Though LSU won't have its best day running the ball against the Volunteers, its backs will be effective enough to keep Tennessee honest and take pressure off Russell. They will also allow the Tigers to protect their lead once they get ahead. Russell has struggled on the road in the past but Saturday's trip to Neyland Stadium will prove to be his breakthrough performance as a junior signal-caller
Prediction: Tigers 20, Volunteers 13
