No. 15 LSU and Heisman hopeful Jayden Daniels host upset-minded Georgia State
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) takes the field with offensive lineman Charles Turner III (69) and tight end Mason Taylor (86) before the kickoff of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. Credit: AP/Hilary Scheinuk
Georgia State (6-4) at No. 15 LSU (7-3, No. 15 CFP), Saturday at 8 p.m. EST (ESPN2).
Line: LSU by 31 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
LSU coach Brian Kelly has discussed the symbolic significance of 10 or more victories in a season in terms of what that win total says about the strength and direction of a program. The Tigers can reach 10 victories for a second consecutive season under Kelly by winning their final two regular season games and a bowl game. Georgia State wants a signature victory against a power conference program and the most attractive bowl bid possible.
KEY MATCHUP
If Georgia State wants to keep the game close, it'll have to do so with a clock-consuming running game featuring RB Marcus Carroll and QB Darren Grainger. LSU's defense ranks 102nd in the nation against the run, allowing 172.1 yards per game.
Georgia State running back Marcus Carroll, front right, is tackled by James Madison linebacker Jailin Walker (5) in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Saturday, Nov. 4 2023, in Atlanta, Ga. Credit: AP/Hakim Wright Sr.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Georgia State: Carroll is No. 3 in the NCAA's top-tier Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing with 1,206 yards (120.6 per game). He is No. 7 in all-purpose yards with 138.6 per game. His 12 rushing touchdowns rank ninth.
LSU: Dynamic QB Jayden Daniels positioned himself among the leading Heisman Trophy candidates against Florida last week, when he had an SEC-record 606 total yards (234 rushing, 372 passing). Daniels leads the nation in total offense (408.2 yards per game), TDs passing (30) and rushing yards by a QB (914). He’s No. 2 nationally in TDs responsible for (38) and passing yards per game (316.4).
FACTS & FIGURES
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs from Florida cornerback Jaydon Hill (23) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. Credit: AP/Derick Hingle
This is GSU’s 16th game against an opponent from the Power Five and seventh vs. the SEC. The Panthers have also faced foes from the ACC, SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac 12. ... Georgia State’s 38-30 victory at Tennessee in the 2019 season opener is the program’s only win over a Power Five team. ... Carroll and Grainger are approaching 2,000 career rushing yards. Carroll has 1,992 yards (third in GSU history), while Grainger is at 1,963. ... LSU’s offense features the nation’s leader in yards receiving (Malik Nabers, 1,284) and TD catches (Brian Thomas, 13). ... Kelly, in his second season with the Tigers, has guided LSU to a 17-7 overall mark through 24 games. ... Each of the five starters on LSU’s offensive line — LT Will Campbell, LG Garrett Dellinger, C Charles Turner, RG Miles Frazier and RT Emery Jones — has at least 20 career starts.
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