HOW WILL LANE KIFFIN'S LSU TIGERS CHANGE THEIR LINEUPS AHEAD OF A&M???

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By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

Following a crushing, highly emotional, highly physical Week 3 defeat @ Ole Miss, a game where LSU not only lost to the Rebels, they lost a few key players, a couple for the year.

That fact alone, plus the poor performances at some spots in the lineup, make me wonder how LSU will change and adapt ahead of a pseudo September playoff game vs Texas A&M, a team who've smashed our Tigers badly over consecutive seasons:

POSSIBLE (or FORCED) POSITION CHANGES

As LSUOdyssey reported on Sunday, starting DB Dashawn Spears will be out for the season due to a torn ACL, due to a friendly fire hit, and as Trey'Dez Green's mother LT posted on Facebook, LSU's powerhouse tight end will be out for an extended period of time (4-6 weeks most likely) due to his own knee injury.

What will that mean for LSU's secondary, as well as the tight end gig???

Jhase Thomas and CJ Jimcoily switched off at the star / nickel spot, with Jimcoily getting caught in coverage 4 different times (holding the worst coverage grade on PFF as well). Thomas on the other hand, came off of the bench and showcased some strong stopping ability with 4 badly needed solo tackles in space (5 total).

Other potential options would include Zach Weeks, who looks really good against the run and pressuring the backfield, while his length give him a chance to recover in coverage, or perhaps moving Jhase Thomas to safety and Ty Benefield to star.

Regarding tight end....after Green went out injured @ Ole Miss, the more halfback-skilled Zach Grace entered the fray and had a torrid sequence where him and QB Sam Leavitt both whiffed on a wide open touchdown at the end of the 4th...Leavitt missing wide left and Grace unable to extend far enough to reel it in...a play the 6'7 Trey'Dez would've eaten up.

So, if Grace is the answer, expect to see him utilized more in a blocking fashion within the backfield or as an in-line tight end, perhaps in hopes of shoring up the right or left sides of the O-line.

Speaking of offensive line, could we see both right tackle Weston Davis & left guard Bo Bordelon replaced after just 3 games???

Bordelon posted a 14.8 pass blocking grade on PFF, but the eye test was much worse, allowing a catastrophic sack at a crucial point, while also giving up 4 QB pressures.

He was not alone, though, even veteran Aliou Bah gave up 4 pressures and a sack, but his position isn't entirely under the microscope.

Even Jordan Seaton looked bad last Saturday....

So...does LSU replace the continuity formed between these starting 5 or go for broke and put in some new players at LG, RT and possibly even RG: Devin Harper, Sean Thompkins, and Darrin Strey could be those first few Tigers called upon to replace these ousted starters.

By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

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