LSU VS KENTUCKY FINAL PREDICTION: 5 THINGS I EXPECT ON SATURDAY NIGHT
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By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
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5. LSU WILL RUN THE BALL 50x @ KENTUCKY
Already averaging 46.6 carries per game, LSU's ground game will see its most action of the season on the road in Lexington, aiming to take advantage of Kentucky's porous rushing defense.
Now that both starter Dilin Jones + 2nd string RB Harlem Berry are currently flying on all cylinders, remaining in a strong groove over 5 games: hitting 100+ yards, receiving plenty of touches, as well as finding the end zone, while LSU rushes for 237 yards per game, I expect Weis' playcalling, Kiffin's run-first philosophy, and the dual-powered RB room to dictate the Tigers' offense @ Kentucky.
4. SAM LEAVITT REMAINS TURNOVER FREE FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON
If you told the average fan on the street that Sam Leavitt hasn't played a single turnover free game all year, it wouldn't surprise anyone.
Throwing at least 1 interception in every game, even during shorter cameos vs McNeese or Louisiana Tech, LSU will need Leavitt to make the right decisions throwing the football vs Kentucky's secondary (6 interceptions over 5 games) in order to win the game.....because if LSU find themselves in the 1st half down 10+ points and Leavitt's thrown 2 interceptions already, it will be the exact recipe for disaster.
3. LSU DEFENSIVE BACKS HAVE THEIR BEST GAME OF THE YEAR
Kentucky's pass catching personnel will be an easier task for DBU's Ty Benefield, Tamarcus Cooley, Jhase Thomas, DJ Pickett and PJ Woodland to handle, paving the way for plenty of exotic blitzes, playmaking up front by Blake Baker's beastly front 7, and answers to those questions posed by Kentucky's efficient offensive passing game (11 TDs to 1 INT ratio) running into the buzzsaw that is the Tigers' elite starting secondary....
I'm predicting multiple interceptions (1 apiece for Ty Benefield and another for DJ Pickett), plenty of pass breakups, and a whole host of top shelf defensive film where the secondary, linebacking corps, and defensive front work perfectly in concert....
As long as Corey Raymond and Jake Olsen's guys stay healthy, DBU may just produce a Thorpe finalist or two in 2026, and yet, it feels like this collection of stars haven't quite taken over a game so far this season....sometimes they didn't need to, as their tyrannical front seven (and a few from the backend) produced a nation-leading 22 sacks.
2. WINNIE WATKINS = DUE FOR A BOUNCE BACK GAME
After dropping two touchdown catches last week vs McNeese, Winnie Watkins shocked his Head Coach, his teammates, and all of Tiger Nation.
Regardless of his drops or subsequent benching, Watkins has become one of LSU's best players this season, supplying multiple 100 yard games, multiple touchdowns, masking a dysfunctional and sometimes poor passing game via his big plays, and displaying a steely resolve on critical downs that you can't ignore.
I expect Winnie Watkins, cousin of the legendary Clemson WR Sammy Watkins, to rebound in a major way on Saturday night, hauling in rain-soaked grabs & playing through some less than ideal "bumps and bruises".....
1. TY BENEFIELD DELIVERS HIS BREAKOUT GAME AS A TIGER
In the first 5 games, Ty Benefield hasn't needed to play out of his mind (3rd ranked 21 tackles, with just 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack and 1 PBU).....some games you could even say he didn't break a sweat, such was the dominion of LSU's front 7 hounding, harrying and finishing off the vast majority of plays.
Although after LSU's secondary was ruthlessly picked on by Trinidad Chambliss, Corey Raymond and Jake Olsen's Tigers need a strong, dynamic peformance where they stamp their authority, and veteran leader Ty Benefield is the main man who Blake Baker's defense will need to set a tone at the backend.
It's time for Benefield to create turnovers, deny anything easy through the air, make stops in space and showcase his ultimate versatile greatness from the star position, aka his new adapted role since the season ending injury suffered by Dashawn Spears.
LSU ODYSSEY'S FINAL PICK:
LSU WIN 38-13
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
©️ 2026 Uninterrupted Writings Inc
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