Western Kentucky @ Louisiana State preview

THE STORY: Western Kentucky puts its five-game winning streak on the line against the No. 1 team in the country. The Hilltoppers travel to face LSU, which just beat then-No. 2 Alabama in overtime. The Tigers have won 36 straight non-conference games, the longest active streak in the FBS. Western Kentucky counters LSU’s roster full of pro prospects with one of the most prolific runners in the nation, 4,000-yard rusher Bobby Rainey.

TV: ESPNU. LINE: LSU -41.5.

ABOUT WESTERN KENTUCKY (5-4): Rainey topped the 4,000-yard milestone last week during the Hilltoppers’ 10-9 win over defending Sun Belt champion Florida International. He is only the 93rd player in NCAA history to tally that many rushing yards in a career. Western Kentucky’s win streak is its longest since 2004, back when the program was at the FCS level. This marks the Hilltoppers’ first game against a No. 1 team in the FBS.

ABOUT LSU (9-0): LSU has won 15 straight games at Tiger Stadium, and the Bayou Bengals have never lost to a non-conference opponent at home during Miles’ tenure in Baton Rouge. This is a classic trap game for the Tigers following last week’s 9-6 overtime win over the Crimson Tide. However, LSU started the week with a sharp practice Monday. Keep an eye on the rotation at quarterback between Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee, especially after Jefferson took most of the snaps against Alabama while Lee completed only 3-of-7 passes. The Tigers rank second in the SEC and the country in both points allowed and rushing defense.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. The game is only one of two on Saturday’s slate involving teams with winning streaks of five or more games. Stanford (17) hosts Oregon (eight) in a battle of top 10 teams.

2. Western Kentucky is allowing only 99 yards rushing per game during its winning streak. LSU, meanwhile, averages 184.4 yards on the ground.

3. Two LSU defensive players won SEC honors for their performances against Alabama. Safety Eric Reid was named Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting a pass at the Tigers’ own 1-yard line in the fourth quarter of a game that went to overtime. Defensive end Sam Montgomery was named co-Defensive Lineman of the Week after he tallied two sacks, including one in overtime.

PREDICTION: LSU 45, Western Kentucky 10 - The Hilltoppers just don’t have the talent or depth to stay with the Tigers for four quarters. LSU wins easily, even if the Bayou Bengals do succumb to a letdown and start the game off slow.