LSU Team Somehow Managed to Sneak Back Into Game

As kickoff approaches, let’s look at a few of the key matchups. First, Arkansas junior quarterback Tyler Wilson will bring the SEC’s top-rated passing game (316.9 yards per game) against an LSU defense that ranks fifth nationally in pass defense (158.27 yards per game) and second in pass-efficiency defense. Four members of the LSU secondary have been named SEC Defensive Player of the Week this season.
But one part of that quartet, free safety Eric Reid, is considered doubtful for today’s game with a leg injury. (The best guess is that it’s a quad or hamstring issue, but Les Miles is renowned for his fibbing about injuries. He once described his approach as “honestly deceptive,” and somehow he said it with a straight face.) Miles says that backup Craig Loston will be fit to replace Reid despite missing the past few games with either a wrist injury, a concussion or both, depending on whom one believes. If Loston can’t go, little-used senior Derrick Bryant will get the first call. But the Tigers were worried enough by Reid’s absence when he went down last week against Ole Miss to take the redshirt off true freshman Ronald Martin in the 11th game of the season. Let’s just say that move wasn’t necessary to beat Ole Miss, which rolled over in a 52-3 shellacking, but with today and next week in mind.
Another intriguing matchup is LSU punter Brad Wing vs. Hogs returner Joe Adams. Wing, the freshman from Australia, is perhaps the nation’s only matinee-idol punter. That reputation comes largely from the fake-punt touchdown run he would have had against Florida if it weren't called back due to a taunting penalty. He also endeared himself to the LSU faithful (and earned some more punishment laps in practice) when CBS cameras caught him posing with some comely LSU fans when the Tigers played Tennessee -- while the game was still in progress. But there is substance behind Wing’s style. His 40 punts this season have been returned for a grand total (not average) of 6 yards, with 21 of the 40 downed inside the 20. He’s especially effective at pooch-punting, as the Australian Rules-trained booter drops the ball out of the sky around the 10-yard-line and more often than not into the waiting arms of LSU’s Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu or Ron Brooks.
Adams, meanwhile, leads the SEC and ranks third in the nation by averaging 16.2 yards per return, including a nation’s-best three touchdowns. If you haven’t seen his remarkable serpentine scoring return against Tennessee, get thee to YouTube. Expect Wing to do all he can to keep Adams from even getting a chance to return a punt. But if Adams does get his hands on one with some room to roam, watch out.