Kentucky @ Louisiana State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 13, 2007 ) Louisiana State 37, Kentucky 43

THE STORY: Fresh off its third win over a ranked team already this season, No. 2 LSU returns to Southeastern Conference play with a new weapon in recently-reinstated quarterback Jordan Jefferson. The senior signal-caller had charges stemming from a bar fight reduced to a misdemeanor on Wednesday and subsequently had his suspension from the team lifted. Where Jefferson fits is the next question, as Jarrett Lee has led the Tigers to 38.8 points per game. Kentucky is not nearly as prolific offensively and was rolled over in its conference opener last weekend. LSU will try to work Jefferson in when it hosts the Wildcats on Saturday afternoon.

TV: SEC Network, ESPN Game Plan. LINE: LSU -3

ABOUT KENTUCKY (2-2, 0-1 SEC): The Wildcats can look to history for hope on Saturday. The last time the schools faced off, Kentucky beat No. 1 LSU in Lexington, 43-37, in triple overtime. This edition of the Wildcats has not shown the same ability to put up points. Kentucky ranks 107th in the nation in both passing yards (157.8) and scoring (17.0). The Wildcats opened SEC play last Saturday with a 48-10 loss to Florida. This marks the middle of a brutal three-game stretch for Kentucky, which visits No. 9 South Carolina next week.

ABOUT LSU (4-0, 1-0): The Tigers have stared down every test so far this season with relative ease, only once winning by a margin of less than two touchdowns (a 40-27 triumph over then-No. 3 Oregon on Sept. 3). LSU won at West Virginia, 47-21, last weekend despite being out-gained by nearly 200 yards. A plus-four turnover margin and Morris Claiborne’s 99-yard kickoff return kept the momentum in the Tigers’ favor. Lee is completing 64.4 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and one interception in place of Jefferson.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Sophomore linebacker Josh Johns, who was involved in the same incident with Jefferson, was reinstated to the team as well and will play Saturday.

2. Kentucky’s last road win over a ranked team was a 22-17 triumph at No. 17 Louisville in 2002.

3. LSU is just 18-13 in day games under Les Miles as opposed to 48-4 at night.

PREDICTION: LSU 45, Kentucky 10 -- The Tigers will be up by enough, quickly enough, that Jefferson will be able to work his way back in slowly.