A key early-season SEC showdown is set for Saturday, as South Carolina hosts LSU in Week 3 of the 2024 college football season. Both teams have plenty at stake in this matchup. The Gamecocks are 2-0 after a blowout win at Kentucky and should join the top-25 rankings with a win on Saturday. On the other sideline, the Tigers are eager to build momentum after losing to USC in the opener and posting a sluggish win over Nicholls last week.
After needing four turnovers to beat Old Dominion in Week 1, South Carolina rebounded by crushing Kentucky in Lexington 31-6. Defense is leading the way for coach Shane Beamer's squad, as this unit limited the Wildcats to six points and only 183 yards. If the Gamecocks get by LSU, a matchup against Akron next Saturday should lift Beamer's team to a 4-0 start.
LSU rebounded from a Week 1 loss against USC to knock off Nicholls 44-21 last Saturday. However, coach Brian Kelly's team still has plenty to work on going forward, including finding ways to spark the rushing offense and improving the overall play on defense.
Saturday's matchup marks LSU's first trip to Columbia since '08. The Tigers hold a 19-2-1 series edge over the Gamecocks.
LSU at South Carolina
Location: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.
Kickoff: Saturday, Sept. 14 at Noon ET
TV: ABC
Spread: LSU -7
Over/Under: 48.5
Announcers: Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, and Holly Rowe
Why LSU Will Win
It's no secret South Carolina's defense is off to a fast start after a dominant performance against Kentucky last week. However, the Gamecocks have yet to face a quarterback of Garrett Nussmeier's caliber. The junior has completed 75 percent of his passes for 610 yards and eight scores through the first two games of the season. Nussmeier's deep group of receivers - Aaron Anderson, Kyren Lacy, CJ Daniels, Zavion Thomas, and tight end Mason Taylor - will test a Gamecocks' secondary allowing only 120.5 yards through the air through the first two weeks of the season.
LSU can also counter South Carolina's standout defensive front with one of the nation's top offensive lines. Tackles Emery Jones and Will Campbell anchor a line that has yet to allow a sack through the first two weeks of '24. This unit should be able to protect Nussmeier, allowing him to get the ball in space to his playmakers.
Although LSU's defense is in transition under coordinator Blake Baker, question marks remain about South Carolina's offense. The Gamecocks rank last in the SEC in yards per play (4.2) and are still developing as a passing team behind first-year starter LaNorris Sellers. Stopping the run has been an issue at times for the Bayou Bengals, but if Baker can create negative plays behind linebacker Harold Perkins, Sellers and his receivers will have trouble consistently winning battles in third-and-long.
Related: College Football Predictions for Every Game in Week 3
Why South Carolina Will Win
Defense and the ability to run the football.
Although it's early in the '24 season, South Carolina's defense appears to be one of the SEC's most-improved groups. The Gamecocks are limiting teams to 3.6 yards a snap and leading the conference with 10 sacks this fall. LSU's offense presents the toughest test yet for this group, as Nussmeier is significantly better than the passing game Old Dominion and Kentucky tested South Carolina's secondary with this year. However, with an ability to get to the quarterback and solid coverage on the back end, the Gamecocks can let Nussmeier move the ball between the 20s and limit the damage in the red zone.
When South Carolina's offense has the ball, expect Sellers and running back Rocket Sanders to test LSU's rush defense. Sellers took a step forward as a passer last week, throwing for 159 yards over 11 completions. Although he was held in check as a runner by Kentucky's defense, Sellers is capable of handling 20-25 carries if needed, while Sanders has rushed for 142 yards and two scores through the first two weeks of the season. The Tigers are allowing 3.6 yards per rush so far, but question marks surrounded this group in the preseason and concerns grew even more after Week 2 with tackle Jacobian Guillory now out for the year due to injury.
Related: Ranking All 134 College Football Teams for 2024
Final Analysis
LSU's path to victory relies on Nussmeier moving the ball to overcome a sluggish rushing attack, as well as the defense limiting South Carolina's ground game and getting off the field on third downs. If the Gamecocks establish Sellers and Sanders on the ground and limit LSU's possessions, that should play into the hands of Beamer's squad. Expect a close one in Columbia.
Prediction: LSU 24, South Carolina 20
Related: College Football Picks: Expert Predictions for Every Game in Week 3
Related: College Football Bowl Projections for 2024-25
Related: College Football Top 134 Team Rankings for 2024
Related: Heisman Trophy Rankings: Ewers Shines at Michigan, Jeanty on the Rise
Local News
Comments / 0