UL Monroe @ Louisiana State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 13, 2010 ) UL Monroe 0, Louisiana State 51

LSU hosts Louisiana-Monroe from the Sun Belt Conference on Saturday in the Tigers’ final tune-up before starting Southeastern Conference play next week against Mississippi State. The Pelican State teams are meeting for the first time since 2010, when LSU rolled to a 51-0 victory over the Warhawks. The ninth-ranked Tigers opened the season with a 28-24 win over Wisconsin before recording seven sacks and rushing for 334 yards in a 51-0 rout of Sam Houston State.

Louisiana-Monroe had 534 yards in total offense in last week’s 38-31 over Idaho, but it will face a much tougher challenge against the LSU defense, which has gone 19 straight possessions without allowing a point. The Warhawks will need to score to keep pace with an LSU offense filled with young playmakers, including sophomore receiver Travin Dural, who has six catches for 291 yards and four touchdowns. Dural needed stitches in his head following a car accident last weekend, but he’s hoping to play Saturday.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: LSU -31.

ABOUT LOUISIANA-MONROE (2-0, 1-0 Sun Belt): Senior running back Centarius Donald – one of two players on the roster that played at LSU in 2010 – had a career-high 117 rushing yards in the Warhawks’ 17-10 season-opening win against Wake Forest. North Carolina State transfer Pete Thomas has thrown for an average of 287 yards and formed a strong connection with receiver Ajalen Holley, who was named the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week after collecting 175 receiving yards against Idaho. Safety Justin Backus leads the defense, which held Wake Forest to 94 yards of total offense in the opener.

ABOUT LSU (2-0): The Tigers are remarkably deep at many positions, including quarterback, where sophomore Anthony Jennings has thrown for 427 yards and five touchdowns while maintaining a hold on the starting job ahead of freshman Brandon Harris. Highly touted freshman Leonard Fournette, who has 110 rushing yards through two games, has been a perfect complement at running back to senior Kenny Hilliard. Defensive end Danielle Hunter has 14 tackles to lead the Tigers, who have four interceptions through two games and have yet to allow a passing touchdown.

EXTRA POINTS

1. LSU has won 47 straight non-conference regular season games.

2. Louisiana-Monroe has forced at least one turnover in 28 consecutive contests.

3. The Tigers are 34-0 all-time against members of the Sun Belt Conference.

PREDICTION: LSU 49, Louisiana-Monroe 10