Lonn Phillips Sullivan
Sep 25, 20206 min
Week 1 at Death Valley will be headlined by early rugged defense, missed tackles, a myriad of penalties and huge offensive plays.
So...I've been waiting all summer for to say this: Now our Week 1 predictions:
LSU will find themselves up 7-0 early after a few big runs from Curry and Ty Davis-Price set the stage for a long touchdown catch by Kayshon Boutte, establishing himself as a true offensive force in the SEC, Brennan sitting back and uncorking a deep bomb thanks to his brilliant offensive line.
Though the defending from Miss State will be poor, the Tigers will show their own deficiencies, allowing Kylin Hill to bust a long touchdown run, the running back breaking loose tackles by Micha Baskerville and Stingley.
Once Brennan starts another drive, Ensminger slows the tempo down, instituting the RPO action run game (Myles taking a few keepers) as well as throwing short routes to Gilbert, Marshall and McMath.
Driving methodically for 6 1/2 minutes, LSU use their possession game to break up Costello and Leach's rhythm while gassing the Mississippi State front, finishing the sequence off with a Davis-Price touchdown run, busting the Miss State front right in the chops.
Leading 14-7, Pelini's defense make the right adjustments, using 3-4 / 4-3 hybrid sets, confusing Costello with their unorthodox edge pressures and shirking the entire "4 down linemen attacking straight up" headlines...that's not a Bo Pelini defense...a Bo Pelini defense does whatever it needs to do.
DT Joe Evans will bust through the protections, occupying the guard and center as Jacoby Stevens flies in on a safety blitz, ripping Costello to the ground in ultimate revelry for his first sack wearing #7.
Ojulari comes off the edge, forcing an errant Costello throw right into the outstretched hands of All Gaye, deflecting a pass and forcing a punt.
With the ball back, Ensminger, Joseph and Callaway push the passing game full throttle, understanding there is too much space all over that Miss State secondary. Throwing on 6 straight plays, Marshall and Gilbert begin to pull the strings over the middle while Boutte continues his deep threat route-running.
On Miss State's 41, Brennan takes a snap from the gun, scans to his left, witnesses a giant wall of flailing arms bearing down on him. He vacates the pocket to his right, points at Marshall to head for the corner and delivers a fervent bullet towards the back of the end zone, over intensive pressure and through blanketed coverage straight into Marshall's hands.
Death Valley geauxs berserk....Myles stoically celebrates, feeling vindicated but nowhere close to finished after 2 TD passes in a half.
At 21-7 now, Miss State grow desperate. Saving their blushes, Leach's side grab a field goal before the half ends.
With an 11 point deficit to start the 3rd, Miss State get the ball and look poised to score, utilizing a fast tempo to get any sort of traction in the game.
Then, Costello first has a pass broken up by Eli Ricks, a forced incompletion by Flott and suddenly, the promising drive is stuck on 3rd and long.
K.J takes a snap and looks to throw long, but just as he appears to be a tough, heroic transfer quarterback, B.J Ojulari turns him into Avril Lavigne's career, the Nigerian Prince tossing Costello into the ground for his first ever collegiate sack....forcing a turnover on downs.
Once in possession, LSU control the game even further, feeding all three sophomore backs religiously, pummeling the Miss State front.
As they wear down, Miss State miss numerous tackles on the edges, TDP now eclipsing 80 yards rushing and receiving the most carries....we now see the formula: follow the hot RB.
With tendencies set, Brennan fakes to Emery and runs for a touchdown, taking the wide open space up the gut for the first of a few times on the day, LSU now well on their way as their under fire quarterback delivers on his first ever start.
Now chasing an 18 point deficit, Costello begins throwing ad nauseum, looking endlessly for a lifeline...yet Derek Stingley's presence on the right boundary means Osirus Mitchell is a no go decoy at best.
Here is where LSU's #1 secondary take center stage, using a lineup of Stevens, Stingley, Flott covering the slot, Mo Hampton at free safety and Ricks at the other corner spot:
As Ricks presses the Miss St WR at the line, he backs off showing outside technique, baiting the inside throw from Costello right as the WR turns too late. Costello forces a pass straight into Eli Ricks' chest, the Mater Dei High superstar securing his first career collegiate interception.....Death Valley geauxing nuts, the wild scenes leaving his mother Shauna joyous.
The Tigers' offense remains efficient, pounding the rock and throwing slants, Brennan always finding an open man. He makes some rushed passes and nearly gets picked off, yet Cade York comes out to punch more points on the board, 31-10 LSU.
Here is where I feel the Tigers' early season conditioning will let them down slightly, the positional rotations and inexperience breaking up the momentum as Miss State score a quick touchdown, Kylin Hill catching the ball, making one man miss and finishing the play off in the end zone, going for 46 yards (31-17).
After a few aimless drives by LSU's offense, riddled with miscommunication, Brennan gets sacked hard and cuts a frustrated figure, angry at his offense for taking their foot off the gas....he wants it all.
At 5 minutes left, Miss State go for broke, yet their desperation only fuels LSU's speedy defense, Andre Anthony and Glen Logan sacking a hesitant Costello and Jabril Cox sandwiching Kylin Hill into the ground against an aggressive Travez Moore.
On their final play, Costello rolls out from feverish Jaquelin Roy pressure and hurls a horrible throw straight to Jacoby Stevens, the free flowing #7 sealing the game.
Finishing strong, Brennan begins to throw with reckless, untouchable abandon, ending in a raucous middle post to Arik Gilbert, the TE dismissing would-be tacklers with ease and walking into the end zone only 1 minute left, a resounding 21 point Tigers lead, 38-17.
The Tigers win will show moxy, fight, yet most of all the debut victory will forecast another great quarterback's future at LSU....another year headlined by offensive fireworks and the pathetic desperation of every opponent...
BRENNAN: 377 Yards, 3 TD passes, 1 rushing
TY DAVIS PRICE: 92 yards rushing, 1 TD
CURRY: 61 yards rushing
MARSHALL: 102 yards 1 TD
BOUTTE: 92 yards 1 TD (55 yard TD pass)
GILBERT: 64 Yards 1 TD (22 yards TD pass)
RICKS: 1 INT, 1 PD
STEVENS: 7 tackles, 1 INT, 1 sack
DAMONE: 9 tackles, 2.5 TFL
COX: 5 tackles, 1 PD, 1.5 TFL
OJULARI: 1 sack, 7 Pressures, 4 QB Hits
GAYE: 1 PD, 3 QB hits
(We also have a sneaking suspicion Ali Gaye will block a field goal...watch for that)
LOGAN: 0.5 sack
MOORE: 0.5 sack
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