Louisiana State @ West Virginia preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2010 ) West Virginia 14, Louisiana State 20

THE STORY: It’s another primetime game for No. 3 LSU, which has already knocked off two ranked opponents in Oregon and Mississippi State and is gaining more and more national attention with each impressive victory. The Tigers rank sixth nationally in total defense and third in rushing defense, which is even more eye-opening considering the quality of opponents they have played. In its first season under coach Dana Holgorsen, No. 16 West Virginia is also off to a 3-0 start but has yet to face a ranked opponent. This is the second meeting. Last year, LSU opened up a 17-0 second-quarter lead and held on to win 20-14 in Baton Rouge.

TV: ABC LINE: LSU -6

ABOUT LSU (3-0): As it turned out, the suspension of quarterback Jordan Jefferson prior to the season opener hasn’t mattered as much as many experts speculated. First, backup Jarrett Lee has proved to be more than capable as an efficient game manager. And second, the defense has been so dominant, the Tigers haven’t needed many points. In last week’s 19-6 win at Mississippi State, LSU held the Bulldogs’ strong ground attack to 52 yards on 34 carries. Sophomores Spencer Ware (226 yards, three touchdowns) and Michael Ford (218, four) lead a powerful LSU rushing game.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (3-0): The Mountaineers have won 18 straight non-conference home games since losing to Virginia Tech in 2005, but will have their hands full against the Tigers, who haven’t lost a non-conference regular season game since 2002. West Virginia led by as many as 24 points last week against Maryland but gave up 21 unanswered points in the second half. The Mountaineers held on for a 37-31 victory, but not before allowing 477 total yards. West Virginia is averaging 434.7 yards per game, which ranks 23rd nationally.

EXTRA POINTS

1. LSU has a nation-best 35-game regular-season non-conference winning streak.

2. West Virginia ranks seventh in the nation with 356 passing yards per game.

3. "To say it's not going to be a challenge would be crazy." Holgorsen, on facing LSU.

PREDICTION: LSU 24, West Virginia 20 - The Bayou Bengals should have a little more trouble stopping a Holgorsen-led offense than they did against Mississippi State, but in the end, LSU will get the job done.