For more than a month now, all signs have been pointing toward a vintage LSU-Alabama showdown on Nov. 7. Saturday night, the Tigers did what they needed to do to make sure they’ll arrive in Tuscaloosa undefeated.

As they have in multiple games this season, the Tigers let an overmatched opponent hang close into the second half. But by game’s end, the Tigers had a comfortable 48-20 win, holding a dangerous Western Kentucky team to half its average point total.

5 TAKEAWAYS

  • LSU continues to play to the level of its opponent: The Tigers looked listless at times early against Western Kentucky — just as they did against Syracuse and Eastern Michigan. Interestingly, they had no such problem against Florida. There are two ways to view this phenomenon. On one hand, it’s encouraging to know that when LSU is at its best, the Tigers are very, very good. On the other, it’s inviting disaster to allow less-talented teams to hang around until the fourth quarter.
  • The passing game must be respected: Brandon Harris only completed 55 percent of his passes Saturday, but the fact that he had three touchdowns and averaged 26 yards per completion means opposing defenses have something to think about when preparing for LSU. The Tigers will continue to see defenders crowd the box out of respect for Leonard Fournette and LSU’s prowess on the ground. But Harris’ ability to hit the big play will prevent opponents from selling out completely against the run.
  • Jamal Adams is a playmaker: Lewis Neal has arguably been the defense’s most productive player through seven games, and there’s very little fault to find in Kendell Beckwith’s game. But the LSU defense may have no playmaker on the level of safety Jamal Adams. The sophomore had 11 tackles, his third interception of the season and a crucial forced fumble in the third quarter Saturday. Adams’ potential has been evident since last year, and it’s clear his beginning to fulfill it.
  • Trent Domingue is money: It might slide under the radar for some, because Domingue’s biggest play of the year came on last week’s fake field goal touchdown against Florida. But the LSU kicker has been automatic in his regular duties and is now 9-for-9 on field goals this season. That kind of reliability in the kicking game is a luxury in college football.
  • A well-timed bye week: After games in seven straight weeks, LSU is a weary team dealing with numerous nagging injuries. Fortunately, the Tigers will be well-rested and healthier by the time they meet the Crimson Tide in two weeks.

REPORT CARD

Offense: B+ — LSU piled up nearly 500 yards, but some lingering inconsistencies in the passing game and some untimely penalties ding the overall grade.

Defense: B+ — Western Kentucky moved the ball, finishing with 428 yards of total offense, but that wasn’t entirely unexpected. The Hilltoppers entered the game with one of the top offenses in the country and the Tigers held them to half of their average point total.

Special Teams: B — The Tigers limited the big returns that have plagued them all year, Domingue nailed both of his field goal attempts, and Adams forced a key fumble on a third quarter kickoff. Other than an onside kick recovered by Western Kentucky, the LSU special teams had a nice game.

Coaching: B+ — The staff still needs to figure out a way to get the team to play its best against big underdogs, but the scheme was sound against the Hilltoppers.

Overall: B+ — Similar to most of their games this season, the Tigers played like national championship contenders, but only in spurts. Even when LSU isn’t clicking on all cylinders, though, its talent is ample enough to win the day.

GAME PLAN

Western Kentucky provided a respectable test, and the Tigers passed. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele picked his spots to bring pressure, and though LSU only had one sack, it was effective in disrupting the Hilltoppers’ flow.

Offensively, the Tigers stuck to the established plan: pound the running game and strike vertically with the pass. Though more high-percentage passes might improve Harris’ efficiency numbers, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s formula is producing solid results.

GAME BALLS

  • RB Leonard Fournette: The fireworks came from the passing game, but Fournette remains the engine of the offense. He ran for 150 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, tying Charles Alexander’s school record for the most consecutive 100-yard games at nine. He’s also scored a touchdown in nine straight and has run for at least 150 in all seven games this season.
  • QB Brandon Harris: Harris misfired on a few attempts, but when the Tigers needed it most, he and his receivers were able to connect on big plays. He finished just 11 of 20, but had three touchdowns, and his 286 yards represent a career high. Perhaps more important than any of the preceding: he’s yet to throw an interception this season.
  • WR Travin Dural: It was revealed after the game that the junior was playing through an ankle injury, perhaps explaining why the speedster was caught from behind on a 67-yard catch-and-run in the second half. Nonetheless, he finished with 132 yards and a touchdown on five receptions.
  • S Jamal Adams: The sophomore led the team with 11 tackles, intercepted his third pass of the season and turned a tight game into a comfortable win when he stripped the Western Kentucky kick returner in the third quarter.
  • LB Kendell Beckwith: Beckwith doesn’t produce many plays that end up on the postgame highlight reel, but his steady excellence deserves recognition. He had 10 stops and two tackles for loss Saturday, and was a big reason the Hilltoppers’ running game was never able to truly threaten the Tigers.

INJURY UPDATE

  • S Jalen Mills (leg) played for the second straight week, but was limited. Les Miles said after the game that Mills had a “soft tissue” problem, but would be ready for the Alabama game.
  • DT Christian LaCouture (foot) did not play, but could be back for Alabama.
  • TE Dillon Gordon (Achilles) did not dress out.
  • FB John David Moore (leg) did not dress out.