Here’s everything you need to know about Louisiana-Monroe at LSU today at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

When: Saturday, Sept. 13

Where: Baton Rouge

Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

TV: ESPNU

Line: LSU -33.5

SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH PREVIEWS

LSU TIGERS

Players to watch

  • QB Anthony Jennings
  • QB Brandon Harris
  • RB Leonard Fournette
  • RB Kenny Hilliard
  • WR Travin Dural
  • WR Trey Quinn
  • C Elliott Porter
  • DT Quentin Thomas
  • LB Kwon Alexander
  • S Jalen Mills
  • CB Rashard Robinson

Keys for LSU

  • Set the offensive tone. Last week, LSU got off to a flying start when Travin Dural hauled in a school-record 94-yard touchdown catch. LSU doesn’t need to hit that kind of big play to open the game, but pushing the Warhawks around from the start would help establish a good rhythm for the LSU quarterbacks.
  • Steady offensive line play. The group welcomes back talented senior center Elliott Porter from suspension, and the timing couldn’t be better. Ethan Pocic injured an ankle last week, so Porter steps back into his starting role against an unconventional ULM defensive front. Clearing holes for the Tigers’ cadre of runnings should be a top priority today.
  • Get the defensive tackles ready. A trio of redshirt freshmen have had a hard time getting up to speed on the Tigers’ playbook, and as a result Marquedius Bain, Frank Herron and Greg Gilmore haven’t gotten much playing time. But with Quentin Thomas banged up, the Tigers will absolutely need some depth at the position. Getting the three freshman experience is going to be crucial with SEC play starting next week.
  • Contain the passing game. ULM has some explosive talent at wide receiver, while the Tigers are absolutely loaded in the secondary. Opponents have completed just 17-of-52 passes so far against LSU. If the secondary continues that level of lockdown defense, it’s going to be a long day for the Warhawks.

Glaring weakness to watch: Defensive tackle; see above to learn why.

Most interesting part of this game: The non-conference winning streak. LSU has been absolutely dominant against non-conference foes under Les Miles. How dominant? Try 37-0 in regular season games. They’ll look to keep that going against an in-state school. A win would give the Tigers 400 all time in Tiger Stadium

Team buzz: Much of the talk this week was about Leonard Fournette’s Heisman pose from last week. That takes the attention off the rest of the team, but LSU is going to have to come out focused on the game at hand. ULM is no pushover, and the Tigers will have to execute well throughout.

LOUISIANA-MONROE WARHAWKS

Players to watch

  • QB Pete Thomas
  • RB Centarius Donald
  • WR Ajalen Holly
  • WR Kenzee Jackson
  • WR Rashon Ceaser
  • LB Ray Stovall
  • S  Justin Backus

Keys for ULM

  • Protect Pete Thomas. The Warhawks have only allowed four sacks through two games, but the Tigers pass rush looked pretty ferocious last week. Thomas is experienced and accurate, but he’ll have trouble getting into a rhythm if LSU’s defensive line is all over him like they were against Sam Houston last week.
  • Make LSU beat you through the air. Added into this is the defensive secondary staying with their marks, giving the Warhawks’ front line a chance to harry Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris. They’ll also have to clog the running lanes that LSU opened up last week; the line struggled with Wisconsin’s constant movement in week one, and that could be the recipe today.

Glaring weakness to watch: Defensive secondary. The Warhawks often have their corners and safeties out on an island with the way they bring pressure, and that could be an issue against LSU’s big-play receivers.

Most interesting part of this game: The pass rush. LSU has experience on the line, but you don’t see a 3-3-5 front all that often. Ray Stovall will be all over the field, and Elliott Porter will have to do a good job calling protections in his first game of the year.

Team buzz: The Warhawks have plenty of experience. This is a senior-heavy team, led by a quarterback in his fifth year of college football. Even if LSU comes out and hits hard early, don’t expect this team to panic.