BYU football: Scouting the LSU Tigers
By Adam Gibby
Offense
Playing Style: Historically I-Formation, run heavy, (however with a new coach and OC nobody knows)
Returning Starters: 6
Key returning players: QB Danny Etling, RB Derrius Guice, WR D.J. Chark TE Foster Moreau, C Will Clapp, FB J.D. Moore
Key losses: RB Leonard Fournette, WR Jazz Ferguson, almost all TEs
What to expect in 2017: Expect LSU to be a very good offensive football team in 2017. They play in the most difficult division in college football, the SEC West. LSU is not losing a lot key offensive players outside of Leonard Fournette. However Derrius Guice has already proved that he can run the ball as good as anybody else in the nation. The biggest area of concern for the Tigers is at quarterback. Danny Etling appears to have the starting job, however his numbers last year were not amazing. Etling threw for 2,123 yards in 11 games and had 11 touchdowns with five interceptions.
How BYU can be successful: If BYU football wants to have any chance to beat LSU it is on defense. LSU has an experienced offensive line and one of the best running backs in the country. If BYU can slow down Derrius Guice and force Danny Etling into throwing on third down, then the Cougars may get a chance. However, even this will not be enough. BYU football needs to get turnovers. Fumbles, interceptions, blocked kicks or any other way of taking the ball from the Tigers is crucial for them to have chance at beating the Tigers.
Projection: LSU will commit a few turnovers. This being their first game, there will be misreads and bad handoffs for the Cougars to take advantage of. The momentum of this game will be huge in deciding who will win this game. If LSU comes into the fourth quarter with momentum, the Cougars will not be able to slow down the Tigers’ running attack. If the Cougars can get some stops going into the fourth quarter, then watch for this to be a smash-mouth finish with the winner being the team who wants it more or who can get a late turnover.