LSU and Missouri will play at 11 a.m. local time in Columbia, Missouri this week, a shift from the originally scheduled game in Baton Rouge. School and SEC officials are trying to avoid the impending Hurricane Delta and its arrival on the Gulf Coast.

Coach Ed Orgeron shared on the SEC coaches media teleconference on Wednesday that the only significant change is that the Tigers will practice on Friday in Columbia. The timing will help LSU return to Baton Rouge earlier, at about 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. in the evening, and begin recovering and preparing for Florida next week.

“I do believe, it would have been difficult to play a night game and come home and recover,” Orgeron said. “Playing at noon, we’ll get back 6 or 7 at night, we’ll get some rest. It’s a big advantage for us.”

LSU will face Connor Bazelak, who was named starter this week by coach Eli Drinkwitz following a solid effort in a loss at Tennessee last week. Orgeron described what he sees out of Bazelak.

“Good pocket passer, had 286 yards, some touchdowns, zero interceptions,” Orgeron said. “I think they’re going to use him. He’s smart. He can see the field and he’s a really good player.”

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.