Eastern Michigan @ LSU preview

Sophomore tailback Leonard Fournette looks to add to his impressive rushing numbers when No. 8 LSU hosts East Michigan on Saturday night. The Heisman Trophy front-runner has gained 631 yards in the first three games for the Tigers, who should get a breather against the struggling Eagles -- last among 127 FBS teams in rushing defense (373.3 yards).

Fournette boasts eight touchdowns as LSU has recorded 100 points in three games against Mississippi State, Auburn and Syracuse and tries to start 4-0 for the eighth time in 11 years under coach Les Miles. The Tigers, who have yet to turn the ball over, have won 50 consecutive non-conference games in the regular season as they prepare to face Eastern Michigan from the MAC for the first time. One of the things Miles will be hoping for is better discipline after committing 14 penalties in the 34-24 win at Syracuse last Saturday. While the Eagles gave up 58 points in a loss to Army last week, Miles told reporters, “(Eastern Michigan has) moved the football against everybody they’ve played.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: LSU -44.5

ABOUT EASTERN MICHIGAN (1-3): The Eagles have averaged 435.5 yards per game with a balanced attack and scored 48 points in a victory against Wyoming – their only road game. Darius Jackson leads the way with 407 yards rushing (6.9 per carry) and seven touchdowns while Shaq Vann has contributed 240 and three, respectively. Brogan Roback has completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 877 yards with five touchdown strikes and four interceptions while four players have at least 12 receptions and 161 yards.

ABOUT LSU (3-0): The Tigers are averaging 6.9 yards per carry in the early going with Fournette (8.6) leading the way while being named SEC Offensive Player of the Week three straight times. Brandon Harris is completing 61.7 percent of his passes, and Miles told reporters the Tigers’ sophomore, “continues to manage the offense and is doing what we ask him to do.” Linebacker Deion Jones leads the Tigers, surrendering 21.3 points per outng, with 25 tackles and lineman Davon Godchaux has three of the team’s nine sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Tigers have outscored opponents 35-0 in the first quarter and 45-6 in the opening half over the first three contests.

2. Eastern Michigan’s freshman WR Eddie Daugherty is averaging a team-high 19.6 yards per catch (255 total) with a pair of TDs.

3. Fournette is the fastest to eight 100-yard rushing games (16 outings) in school history and is the first with back-to-back 200-yard performances.

PREDICTION: LSU 55, Eastern Michigan 10