No. 18 LSU will play host to Football Championship Subdivision program Nicholls State at Tiger Stadium on Saturday in the first meeting between the Louisiana-based programs. Saturday’s home opener will mark LSU’s first game in its 100th season at Tiger Stadium.
The Tigers are coming off a 27-20 loss in their season opener to No. 13 USC in Las Vegas. LSU has lost its last five season openers — three of which have come under coach Brian Kelly — since falling to Mississippi State to open up the 2020 campaign. Kelly has a 13-1 record as the head man at LSU at Tiger Stadium, and the program has won 10 consecutive games at home dating back to the 2022 season.
With reigning Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels off to the NFL, Garrett Nussmeier will lead the LSU offense. Nussmeier completed 30 of his 39 attempts for 308 yards and two touchdowns in his second career start in the loss to the Trojans.
Nicholls State opened the season ranked No. 24 in the CBS Sports FCS Power Rankings and will play its first and only opponent from a power conference this season. The Colonels suffered a 25-17 setback to Louisiana Tech in Week 1.
How to watch LSU vs. Nicholls State live
Date: Saturday, Sept. 7 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Tiger Stadium — Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Streaming: ESPN+
LSU vs. Nicholls State: Need to know
Nussmeier can build off Week 1 performance: Not many quarterbacks looked as good as Nussmeier did in Week 1. Being the heir to the throne of a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback isn’t easy, but Nussmeier showed flashes of why he’s ready to make a massive jump in his first season as LSU’s full-time starter. The 6-foot-2 signal caller gave LSU fans flashes of his potential in a 35-31 win over Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl, where he completed 31 of 45 attempts for 395 yards and three touchdowns. This game should be another opportunity to stack up another solid start ahead of SEC play starting next week against South Carolina.
Nicholls State’s challenging nonconference slate: Nicholls State opened the season with a close loss to Louisiana Tech and now will face the best team on its schedule this weekend on the road in Baton Rouge. Following the Colonels’ game at LSU, they will play another road game at Sacramento State — one of the better teams in the FCS — before Southland conference play begins next month.
LSU WR Kyren Lacy is a star in the making: Lacy had a strong performance in LSU’s opener against USC, catching seven passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. However, Lacy didn’t register a single catch in the second half of that game, and getting him involved early and often should be part of LSU’s game plan this week and throughout the remainder of the season. LSU has a notable history of producing some of the best WR prospects over the last decade. Lacy appears to be next in line.
LSU vs. Nicholls State prediction, picks
LSU is a significant favorite, and after watching how its offense and defense performed last week, the over is the best play. With LSU star running back John Emery Jr. out, look for Nussmeier to air the ball out early and often. Getting Lacy involved throughout will be important after the star receiver recorded zero catches in the second half against USC. LSU will make a statement in its season-opener at Tiger Stadium. Pick: Over 58.5
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