Week 7: LSU at Kentucky

With the epic showdown against Florida now behind them, the LSU Tigers must focus on the second half of the regular season. They are the unanimous No. 1 team in the nation, and they likely will be favored by at least a touchdown in their remaining games. But as we have learned all too often this season, no team is immune to the upset.

Kentucky will present a new challenge for what has been a dominating LSU defense. The Wildcats boast arguably the best collection of skill position players in the SEC. Andre’ Woodson struggled in the loss at South Carolina, but he is a proven commodity who has thrown only two interceptions in his last 10 games. But like any quarterback, Woodson will struggle if he doesn’t have ample time to distribute the ball. So if the Kentucky offensive line cannot protect its senior quarterback, it’s hard to envision UK having too much success moving the ball.

Last year, in a 49–0 loss in Baton Rouge, Kentucky was limited to a season-low 227 yards. Granted, that was before the Wildcats’ offensive revival, but it is still a good indication of what kind of problems the LSU defense presents.

That 2007 edition of the Tiger defense currently ranks No. 1 in the nation in total defense and No. 2 in scoring. LSU has held each of its six opponents well below their season averages and has only allowed more than one touchdown to only one team, Florida.

“Their defensive front is the best we’ve seen. (Glenn) Dorsey is a man among boys,” said UK coach Rich Brooks. “The other guys are also outstanding. Their ends will be the best pair we’ll see. Trying to run the ball is very difficult, as will be the pass protection. If you don’t run the ball, they start pinning their ears back, and that’s when you’re in really big trouble. Even if you don’t run it well, you better try to run it and slow them down.”

The LSU offense isn’t quite as scary as the Tigers’ defense, but it’s still very good and quite capable of scoring plenty of points. The downfield passing attack hasn’t been overly impressive, but that could change once Early Doucet returns to the lineup. The All-SEC wideout has been out with a groin injury and is probable for Saturday’s game. While the passing game has been average, the Tigers have been running the ball very well. Kentucky was surprisingly stingy against South Carolina, allowing only 86 yards on the ground, but this is a unit that gave up 338 yards rushing to Arkansas and 324 to Kent State earlier in the year.

The natives will be fired up in Lexington for this nationally televised game on CBS, but LSU is simply too good.

LSU by 17