Week 1 Preview: Ga. Southern vs LSU
By: Tony Thomas
August 31, 2019
The 2019 season for the LSU Tigers kicks off tonight when the they take on the Ga. Southern Eagles.
The Eagles are coached by Chad Lunsford and are coming off a 10-3 season and a 23-21 victory over Eastern Michigan in the 2018 Camelia Bowl.
Ga. Southern is led on the field by Jr. QB Shai Werts, who accounted for over 1800 yards (908 rushing, 987 passing) and 25 total TD’s. He is the leading returning scorer. Werts will operate behind a solid offensive line that return 3 starters, and 7 players with starting experience, with a combined 64 starts. The defensive secondary returns 3 players that combined for 7 INT’s in 2018.
The Top Ten ranked Tigers (#6) are 13-0 in season openers in “The” Death Valley.
Sr. QB Joe Burrow returns to lead the offense after passing for 2894 yards and 16 TD’s and 5 INT’s. LSU hired Joe Brady away from the New Orleans Saints to install the Run-Pass Option offense, so it appears that the Head Coach Ed Orgeron (25-9 record in 4 years at LSU) is looking to move on from the ground and pound offense that seemed to define the Les Miles era. We shall see.
Burrow will operate behind an offensive line that returns 4 starters that have a combined 76 starts. He will throw to a talented receiving corp, led by Justin Jefferson (54 rec., 875 yards and 6 TD’s).
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire returns at running back, but Fr. RB John Emery will press for playing time.
The LSU defense will be stout again, led by Rashard Lawrence, Breiden Fehoko, K’lavon Chaisson on the defensive line, Michael Divinty, Jacob Phillips at linebacker, and of course D.B.U., led by All-American S Grant Delpit (5 INT’s in 2018), CB Kristian Fulton, and true freshman CB Dereck Stingley Jr.
Did you know? Prior to becoming the “Voice of the Tigers”, play by play announcer Chris Blair was the play- by- play man at Ga. Southern.
The Tigers are favored by 27 points. My pick: LSU
Thanks for reading.
Material for this article sourced from: Phil Steele’s 2019 College Football Preview, vol.25, pages 1-352.; http://sportslogos.net
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