LSU football returns to Tiger Stadium on Saturday looking to move to 5-1 on the year and add another SEC win vs. the South Carolina Gamecocks.
There are plenty of questions about what to expect from the LSU offense, but the same can’t be said for Blake Baker’s defense, which ranks No. 5 nationally in ESPN’s SP+ ratings.
LSU’s defense has been close to perfect this year and the trend should continue vs. this South Carolina offense.
The Gamecocks are a favorable matchup for LSU. South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers gave LSU trouble in 2024, rushing for over 100 yards while scoring two touchdowns. LSU has the talent to prevent that, now.
Baker trusts the LSU secondary to hold up in man coverage, which allows more freedom for LSU’s linebackers. Harold Perkins and Whit Weeks can be deployed as spies, keeping Sellers in the pocket.
LSU’s defense gets after the passer. That’s bad news for a Gamecock offense that ranks No. 114 in pressure rate and sack EPA per CFBGraphs. Sellers holds on to the ball and has taken 14 sacks already.
And when Sellers isn’t creating with his legs, South Carolina’s run game is nonexistent. The Gamecocks rank No. 132 nationally in rushing success rate. It’s hard to envision a game where South Carolina effectively blocks LSU’s defensive line.
LSU has talent advantages on all three levels of the defense. South Carolina’s only path to success is if Sellers plays like a superhuman, but even then, he needs support from his offensive line and wide receivers. LSU’s defense is positioned for success on Saturday night.
