LSU may have produced the SEC’s most impressive Week 1 performance, destroying Clemson 51-10 and vaulting to No. 8 in the AP poll.
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Now comes a different challenge: avoiding the emotional letdown.
Louisiana Tech doesn’t have Clemson’s roster, but LSU must resist spending the week celebrating what happened rather than preparing for what comes next. Brian Kelly’s team demonstrated explosive offense, defensive speed and depth against Clemson. The Tigers need to reproduce the execution even if the atmosphere isn’t nearly as dramatic.
LSU should own the line of scrimmage. Louisiana Tech’s best chance is generating turnovers and preventing LSU from establishing rhythm early. If LSU scores touchdowns on its first couple of possessions, this could become lopsided quickly.
The Tigers also have an opportunity to develop their roster. A comfortable lead would allow LSU to get younger players on the field and continue evaluating rotations before the SEC schedule becomes more demanding.
Defensively, LSU should emphasize tackling and limiting explosive plays. Louisiana Tech isn’t likely to sustain repeated long drives, so the Tigers can’t give away cheap touchdowns through busted coverages or poor angles.
Perhaps the most interesting question is whether LSU can maintain the intensity it displayed against Clemson. Championship-level teams handle games like this professionally. They don’t need an emotional rivalry atmosphere to execute.
LSU’s 51-10 victory changed national perceptions. One week later, the Tigers’ job is simply to validate that performance rather than give anyone reason to question it.
Louisiana Tech may hang around for a quarter, but LSU’s talent and depth should take over.
Prediction: LSU 48, Louisiana Tech 10
