West Virginia
2nd Big East9-3
Louisiana State
4th SEC10-2
West Virginia @ Louisiana State preview
Tiger Stadium
West Virginia and Louisiana State have several similarities statistically, but one discrepancy could prove to be the difference when the Mountaineers and Tigers clash Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La., in a nationally televised game.
Both teams are 3-0 and ranked in the USA Today Coaches Poll -- LSU at No. 12 and WVU at No. 21. They have outscored their opponents by almost identical margins and their defenses have been tough against the run. It’s in the passing game where the most glaring difference emerges.
LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson was expected to put up some lofty passing stats this season, but the second-year starter is the 10th-rated passer in the SEC and has not eclipsed 100 yards passing in either of the Tigers’ past two games.
Conversely, West Virginia sophomore Geno Smith has been impressive in his first year starting at quarterback for the Mountaineers, who in recent years have been known more for their prolific running game. Smith leads the Big East in passing with 800 yards, and has a talented corps of receivers that includes Tavon Austin, the Big East’s leading receiver with 21 catches for 281 yards who caught two touchdowns in the Mountaineers’ 31-17 victory against Maryland last week.
LSU, however, had five interceptions in the Tigers’ 29-7 win against Mississippi State last week and the Tigers’ defense held MSU to 268 yards total offense.
West Virginia also has the nation’s active rushing leader in senior tailback Noel Devine, who has 3,735 career rushing yards and has had three consecutive 100-yard games to start the season.
LSU also has a strong running game led by Stevan Ridley, who has rushed for 318 yards, but WVU’s defense has limited opponents to 62.7 yards rushing a game, which ranks eighth in the nation. It’s possible that LSU will need Jefferson to air it out more against a Mountaineers secondary that again might be without standout cornerback Brandon Hogan, who was suspended indefinitely by coach Bill Stewart following a DUI arrest earlier this month. Hogan, an All-Big East first-team selection last year, was allowed to return to practice Tuesday, but Stewart said Hogan’s playing status for Saturday night’s game will be a game-time decision.
West Virginia has won five of its last six games against ranked teams, but the Mountaineers will be traveling to one of the most hostile environments in the nation for opposing teams. No visiting team outside the SEC has beaten LSU in Death Valley in 10 years.
Both teams are 3-0 and ranked in the USA Today Coaches Poll -- LSU at No. 12 and WVU at No. 21. They have outscored their opponents by almost identical margins and their defenses have been tough against the run. It’s in the passing game where the most glaring difference emerges.
LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson was expected to put up some lofty passing stats this season, but the second-year starter is the 10th-rated passer in the SEC and has not eclipsed 100 yards passing in either of the Tigers’ past two games.
Conversely, West Virginia sophomore Geno Smith has been impressive in his first year starting at quarterback for the Mountaineers, who in recent years have been known more for their prolific running game. Smith leads the Big East in passing with 800 yards, and has a talented corps of receivers that includes Tavon Austin, the Big East’s leading receiver with 21 catches for 281 yards who caught two touchdowns in the Mountaineers’ 31-17 victory against Maryland last week.
LSU, however, had five interceptions in the Tigers’ 29-7 win against Mississippi State last week and the Tigers’ defense held MSU to 268 yards total offense.
West Virginia also has the nation’s active rushing leader in senior tailback Noel Devine, who has 3,735 career rushing yards and has had three consecutive 100-yard games to start the season.
LSU also has a strong running game led by Stevan Ridley, who has rushed for 318 yards, but WVU’s defense has limited opponents to 62.7 yards rushing a game, which ranks eighth in the nation. It’s possible that LSU will need Jefferson to air it out more against a Mountaineers secondary that again might be without standout cornerback Brandon Hogan, who was suspended indefinitely by coach Bill Stewart following a DUI arrest earlier this month. Hogan, an All-Big East first-team selection last year, was allowed to return to practice Tuesday, but Stewart said Hogan’s playing status for Saturday night’s game will be a game-time decision.
West Virginia has won five of its last six games against ranked teams, but the Mountaineers will be traveling to one of the most hostile environments in the nation for opposing teams. No visiting team outside the SEC has beaten LSU in Death Valley in 10 years.