TigerHype LSU Football Forum

Corey Barber Jr. caught all seven of his targets for 83 yards and two touchdowns against McNeese. He led LSU in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, and both scores came before halftime while Sam Leavitt was still directing the primary offense.

TigerHype Staff take: One huge night against McNeese shouldn't automatically rewrite the receiver depth chart. But seven catches on seven targets — including two red-zone touchdowns — is exactly how a young receiver forces the coaching staff to give him another look. Kentucky is where we find out whether Barber's role was a one-game opportunity or the beginning of something.

How many targets should Corey Barber get at Kentucky? Has he earned a real place in the weekly rotation, or do you need to see him do it against SEC coverage first?

TigerHype article:

Corey Barber Jr. Turned Seven Targets Into LSU’s Breakout Receiving Night

LSU has converted 8 of 10 fourth-down attempts through five games — an 80% success rate. LSU's opponents are only 1-for-4 on fourth down. The Tigers are also converting 52% of their third downs, which means Kiffin frequently reaches fourth down with manageable distance rather than desperation situations.

TigerHype Staff take: This could become a huge part of Saturday night's game. Road possessions are valuable, and Kentucky just showed against South Carolina that it won't necessarily go away if LSU jumps ahead. Kiffin's willingness to keep drives alive instead of automatically punting could either silence Kroger Field — or hand Kentucky the exact momentum swing it wants.

Where should Kiffin's fourth-down line be Saturday: only inside Kentucky territory, anywhere past midfield, or should he stay aggressive even on LSU's side of the 50 in fourth-and-short?

TigerHype article:

LSU’s 8-for-10 Fourth-Down Start Gives Kiffin a Road-Game Weapon

LSU rushed for 367 yards and six touchdowns against McNeese. Harlem Berry had a career-high 125 yards on 15 carries, Stacy Gage exploded for 110 yards and two touchdowns on only six carries, and Dilin Jones added 79 yards and a touchdown on 16 attempts. Berry has now followed his efficient Texas A&M performance with his first career 100-yard game.

TigerHype Staff take: McNeese gave LSU enough possessions to feed everybody. Kentucky probably won't. That's what makes this interesting: Lane Kiffin may have to decide who gets the ball when there are only 20–25 meaningful running-back carries available.

You're calling LSU's first series at Kentucky. Who gets the first meaningful carry — Harlem Berry, Dilin Jones or Stacy Gage? And who should finish with the most touches?

TigerHype article:

Harlem Berry and Stacy Gage Give LSU a Two-Back Answer Before Kentucky

Sam Leavitt completed 18 of 23 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns against McNeese, but he recorded zero rushing attempts. Lane Kiffin said afterward that Leavitt did very little in practice early last week because of the hamstring injury and that LSU was still limited in what it could call Saturday. Kiffin also said Leavitt was significantly better than he had been the previous week.

TigerHype Staff take: LSU obviously wants a healthy Leavitt capable of hurting defenses with his legs. But there is an interesting question here: the injury has forced him to play more from the pocket, and LSU's offense has looked increasingly efficient. Kentucky also struggled containing quarterback movement against South Carolina, which makes the temptation to unleash Leavitt again even greater.

If Leavitt is 90–95% Saturday, do you bring the designed QB run game back against Kentucky — or keep protecting him and make Kentucky beat…