New Mexico State @ LSU preview
Tiger Stadium
No. 18 LSU looks to bounce back from its first loss when it takes on visiting New Mexico State in its final non-conference game of the season on Saturday. The Tigers fought back from a large deficit against Mississippi State last week before falling to the Bulldogs in their Southeastern Conference opener. The Aggies are also coming off a loss, dropping a 38-35 shootout to in-state rival New Mexico.
During the Les Miles era, LSU has been unbeatable in non-conference regular-season games, going 38-0, and currently holds the nation's longest winning streak in those contests at 48. The 34 points allowed by the LSU defense against Mississippi State were the most allowed by the Tigers since a 38-17 loss to then-No. 1 Alabama last November. LSU can't overlook the Aggies' offense, which comes in averaging 30.4 points.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: LSU -42.5
ABOUT NEW MEXICO STATE (2-2): Aggies coach Doug Martin knows the situation his team is in heading to face LSU on the road, and he just hopes to see some improvement from his team against the nationally ranked Tigers. New Mexico State is averaging two turnovers a game, something Martin is hoping will improve even against the very quick LSU defense. “We all know that we are taking a knife to a gunfight,” Martin told the Las Cruces Sun-News. “They have tremendous players and unbelievable talent, but we can get a lot out of this football game. We have to learn that you can play a game without turning the ball over.”
ABOUT LSU (3-1): It's not a full-blown quarterback controversy yet, but backup Brandon Harris impressed with his play against Mississippi State, going 6-of-9 for 140 yards and two touchdowns off the bench in place of starter Anthony Jennings, nearly leading the Tigers from behind. Miles took note of the freshman's play, saying that Harris made enough plays to make Miles consider making a change at the position. “It was a tremendous lift, and he earned some more playing time without question,” Miles said. “And he earned some more consideration at quarterback. He makes a case for Brandon Harris at quarterback.”
EXTRA POINTS
1. LSU WR Travin Dural leads the SEC in yards per catch at 27.4, catching four touchdowns among his 18 receptions.
2. New Mexico State hasn't given up a sack this season while the Tigers' defense has 10 through four games.
3. LSU is 35-4 in games played in September under Miles, including a 24-2 record at home, with last week's loss to Mississippi State being the second such setback.
PREDICTION: LSU 48, New Mexico State 20