Overview

• Kickoff is Saturday at 7:45 p.m. ET from Tiger Stadium on SEC Network.
• LSU coach Brian Kelly said QB Garrett Nussmeier returned to practice after a limited week that emphasized VR work and rest, while South Carolina leans on dual-threat starter LaNorris Sellers.
• Betting markets favor LSU by roughly 9 to 9.5 points with a total near 44.5, and several previews predict the Tigers to cover at home.
• Both teams have struggled on the ground, with LSU and South Carolina ranked near the bottom nationally and last in the SEC in rushing production.
• LSU’s defense sits No. 5 in ESPN’s SP+ and pressures quarterbacks at a top-20 rate, as South Carolina counters with disruptors like Dylan Stewart and standout DB Brandon Cisse plus size-speed threat Nyck Harbor.