Future Opponent Game to Watch: LSU vs. South Carolina

On Saturday night, South Carolina (3-2) travels down to Baton Rouge to take on No. 11 LU (4-1). With both teams fresh off a bye week, this matchup should be one of the most physical games of the weekend. 

Tale of the tape: LSU 

At the beginning of the 2025 season, LSU was projected to have one of the SEC’s most dynamic passing offenses, particularly because it combined weapons at quarterback and wide receiver. So far, the Tigers’ offense has been underwhelming. 

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is a projected early-round NFL Draft pick and is a traditional pocket passer, a rare breed in modern college football. Nussmeier, so far in 2025, has thrown for 1,159 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, and is currently ranked 26th in QBR with a 76.8 rating. Nussmeier has only thrown for more than 1 touchdown once this season, against Southeastern Louisiana on September 20th in a 56-10 victory. Despite his rather pedestrian numbers, Nussmeier’s arm strength and ability to see the field make him dangerous against any defense he faces. 

In the receiving game, the Tigers have a talented quadrant of pass catchers in senior Aaron Anderson, senior and former Kentucky Wildcat Barion Brown, senior tight end Bauer Sharp, and senior receiver Xavion Thomas. Anderson has 23 catches for 305 yards, Brown has 25 catches for 239 yards and 1 touchdown, Sharp has 15 catches for 179 yards and 1 touchdown, and Thomas has 14 catches for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns. According to TeamRankings.com, LSU is ranked 114th with 9.9 in team yards per completion. 

At running back, LSU is led by sophomore Caden Durham and freshman Harlem Berry. Durham has 52 carries for 213 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Berry has 22 carries for 109 yards and 1 touchdown. According to TeamRankings.com, LSU is ranked 114th nationally with 99.3 rushing yards per game and is ranked 93rd with 3.7 team yards per rushing attempt. 

LSU’s red zone and third-down conversion stats are cause for some concern. According to TeamRankings.com, LSU is ranked 102nd nationally with a 76.92% red zone scoring percentage and 92nd with a 36.54% third down conversion percentage. However, the Tigers have fared better on fourth down and are ranked 35th with a 66.67% fourth-down conversion percentage. 

Defensively, LSU has a strong unit with a host of productive tacklers. Senior linebacker Whit Weeks has 31 total tackles, sophomore linebacker Dayton Keys has a total of 29 tackles, senior safety A.J. Haulcy has 27 total tackles, and safety Tamarcus Cooley has 24 tackles. The Tiger pass rush has 11 sacks, led by freshman defensive end Damien Shanklen, who has two sacks. The Tiger secondary has 7 total interceptions and is led by sophomore safety Dashawn Spears. 

According to TeamRankings.com, LSU is ranked 19th in opponent red zone scoring percentage, with opponents scoring on 75% of their red zone attempts. LSU is ranked 29th in opponent third-down conversion percentage, with opponents converting at just 33.90%. In terms of opponents’ fourth-down conversion percentage, LSU ranks 118th, with opponents converting 75% of their attempts. 

Tale of the tape: South Carolina 

Since losing to Vanderbilt, South Carolina has a 1-1 record with a 29-20 loss to Missouri and a 35-13 win over Kentucky. 

After entering the season as a potential Heisman candidate, Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers has underperformed. So far, Sellers has 4 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, and has thrown for 886 passing yards. On the ground, Sellers has 48 rushes for 98 yards and 1 rushing touchdown. While Sellers is certainly dangerous with his legs, the lack of running production from him is particularly noteworthy. 

In the run game, senior Rahsul Faison has 42 carries for 163 yards and 3 touchdowns, and senior Oscar Adaway III has 32 carries for 119 yards and 1 touchdown. At receiver, the Gamecocks are led by sophomore Vandrevius Jacobs, who has 18 catches for 323 yards and 2 touchdowns, and junior Nyck Harbor, who has 11 catches for 220 yards and 1 touchdown. 

On special teams, the Gamecocks had a nuclear weapon in returner Vicari Swain. On nine returns this season, Swain has 206 yards for 3 touchdowns. Swain is deadly whenever he has the ball in his hands. 

According to Teamrankings.com, South Carolina’s offense is ranked 76th in team third-down conversion percentage and is converting 38% of its third-down attempts. On fourth down, South Carolina’s offense is ranked 98th and is converting 44.44% of its fourth down attempts. In the red zone, South Carolina is ranked 117th in red zone scoring percentage, with the Gamecocks scoring on 72.73% of their red zone attempts. 

Defensively, South Carolina is led by dynamic linebacker Dylan Stewart, who has 22 total tackles and 3.5 sacks. Linebacker Bryan Thomas Jr. and defensive lineman Nick Barrett have also been dynamic with 19 tackles and 3 sacks, and 19 tackles and 2 sacks, respectively. In the secondary, the Gamecocks have 6 total interceptions, with defensive back Gerald Kilgore leading the way with 2 picks. 

According to TeamRankings.com, South Carolina’s defense is ranked 70th in opponent red zone scoring percentage, with opponents scoring on 85.71% of their red zone attempts. On opponent third-down conversion percentage, South Carolina is ranked 116th, with opponents converting 46.43% of their third-down attempts. On opponent fourth-down conversion percentage, South Carolina is ranked 8th, with opponents converting just 25% of their attempts. 

Dream QB matchup for NFL Draft geeks 

Saturday’s matchup will draw the attention of the NFL Draft nerds due to the quarterback matchup. While neither Sellers nor Nussmeier has impressed statistically this year, experts often discuss the concept of “projectability.” They will watch this game because of it, especially with LSU playing at night. Both Sellers and Nussmeier have had ball security issues this season, and whichever quarterback can manage the game more effectively against these physical defenses will likely emerge victorious. Expect Nussmeier to test South Carolina’s secondary with some deep shots, and expect Sellers to try to use his athleticism to extend plays and get the ball to Harbor down the field. If either quarterback can make some explosive plays, it will help each of these struggling offenses.

Which physical defense prevails? 

Both of these teams are extremely physical on defense in slightly different ways. South Carolina is physical through the pressure it can put on quarterbacks through its front seven. LSU’s physicality stems from its ability to keep opponents in front of it and execute gang tackles effectively. If one of these defenses can force a turnover, the tide of this game could be quickly turned. Expect South Carolina to try to put pressure on Nussmeier, given LSU’s limitations at the offensive line and Nussmeier’s limited running ability. Expect LSU to try to generate pressure up the middle and force Sellers to remain in the pocket and throw into tight windows. 

Prediction

LSU wins an ugly rock fight 23-14 and heads into Nashville with a battered and bruised team on offense.