We’re nearing the end of college football bowl season and that brings us a matchup on the gridiron when the SEC takes on the Big Ten in the Sunshine State. The #17 LSU Tigers are the “road” team as they make the trek to face the Purdue Boilermakers in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Monday afternoon. LSU was knocked off 50-30 by #1 Georgia in the SEC title game back on December 3, failing to cover as a 17-point underdog in that contest. Purdue was drubbed 43-22 by #2 Michigan in the Big Ten championship game December 3, failing to cover the line as a 16-point underdog in that game. This marks the first time the two programs have met on the gridiron as FBS opponents in their respective histories.
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LSU won the SEC West crown but was overmatched as they were hammered by #1 Georgia in the conference title game. The Tigers head into the bowl game 9-4 on the year and hope to get Brian Kelly to the double-digit win plateau in his first season in Baton Rouge. Against Georgia, LSU never led in the game and wasn’t even after the Bulldogs scored with three seconds left in the opening quarter to take a 14-7 lead. The Tigers were down 35-10 at the half and never got closer than 18 the rest of the way to wind up with the loss. LSU held a 549-529 edge in total offense but those were mostly empty yards. The Tigers lost the first down battle 27-23, the time of possession by a 35:58 to 24:02 margin and turned the ball over three times while forcing just one takeaway. LSU also gave up a touchdown on a blocked field goal return to open the scoring.
On the year, the Tigers are 37th in the natio n in passing offense with an average of 261.6 yards per game through the air while they are 45th in rushing offense with 180.9 yards per contest. LSU is 38th in the FBS in scoring offense with an average of 32.3 points per game this season while the Tigers are 46th in the country in scoring defense by allowing 23.7 points a contest. Jayden Daniels is 254 of 371 passing for 2,774 yards with 16 touchdowns against three interceptions while leading the team with 818 rushing yards plus 11 scores on the year. Garrett Nussmeier is 41 of 69 passing for 627 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions on the year. Josh Williams (97 carries, 532 yards, six TD), Noah Cain (68 carries, 351 yards, eight TD), John Emery Jr. (70 carries, 328 yards, five TD) and Armoni Goodwin (45 carries, 267 yards, five TD) have all shared in the workload this season on the ground. Malik Nabors leads the team in the passing game with 63 catches for 854 yards plus two scores on the year. Kayshon Boutte (48 receptions, 538 yards, two TD), Jaray Jenkins (27 catches, 404 yards, six TD), Brian Thomas Jr. (27 grabs, 330 yards, four TD) and tight end Mason Taylor (33 catches, 326 yards, two TD) have all exceeded the 300-yard receiving plateau. Damian Ramos is 48 of 50 on extra points and 10 of 14 on field goals with a long of 47. Trey Finison hit both extra point attempts while not attempting a field goal.
Daniels (ankle) was injured against Texas A&M and reaggravated it against Georgia in the SEC title game. His status here is murky, so it may be him or Nussmeier under center. Wide receiver Jack Bech entered the transfer portal and won’t play here. Boutte, Jenkins, defensive ends B.J. Ojulari along with Ali Gaye, cornerback Mekhi Garner and defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy all have declared their intention to enter the NFL Draft. All but Roy have opted out of playing here with Boutte’s change of heart coming Wednesday n ight.