LSU Week Six Preview: Tennessee

LSU (4-1) will return home as they will host an undefeated Tennessee (4-0) team that will be looking to stay on path in the SEC East with Georgia. The Tigers were able to upend Auburn 21-17 to get their fourth straight win on the season after dropping the season opener.

Tennessee @ LSU Game Information:

Current Records: Tennessee (4-0) @ LSU (4-1)

Date/Time: October 8th @ 11 a.m. CT

Where: Tiger Stadium; Baton Rouge, LA

Where to Watch: ESPN (Commentators: Play-By-Play Bob Wischusen, Analyst Dan Orlovsky, Reporter Kris Budden)

Spread: Tennessee (-3.0)

Tennessee vs. LSU Series History:

Tennessee leads the all-time series against LSU, 20-10-3. The Tigers have won the last five meetings between the two teams. LSU and Tennessee last met in 2017 where the purple and gold took the 30-10 victory. The last time the two teams met in Baton Rouge was in 2010, where LSU miraculously won 16-14 after a illegal procedure penalty on Tennessee to give the Tigers the chance to punch in a one yard touchdown run.

Previewing LSU Heading into Week Six:

LSU is coming off a thrilling win in week five on the road against Auburn. The Tigers found themselves in a 17-0 hole to start the game and had to face some adversity. The LSU passing attack was held in check against Auburn's defense as Jayden Daniels only threw for 80 yards passing.

Daniels did come out with an injury in that game in the fourth quarter and Garrett Nussmeier had to finish the deal for the Tigers last Saturday night. Brian Kelly spoke on Daniels availability heading into the Tennessee game:

"He was hurt, but the pain level was pretty high so he wasn't able to finish the game, but he's much better today and he'll be ready to play on Saturday."

LSU will be looking to also get back Garrett Dellinger and plug him back into the starting offensive line rotation. Dellinger is recovering from a fractured hand injury and he was seen back at practice this week. The Tigers will be missing Armoni Goodwin for the second consecutive week as he will be out for the next four to six weeks.

The game against Auburn started out scary as Sevyn Banks had to be carried off on a stretcher. Banks will be out for the next five to six weeks with a spinal cord bruise. The Tiger secondary will now be without Banks and Major Burns due to injury. LSU's secondary will have to step up against Hendon Hooker and the Tennessee offense that can be explosive.

Scouting LSU's Opponent: Tennessee

Tennessee is coming off the bye week as they will look to travel to Tiger Stadium for the first time since the 2010 season. The last time we saw the Volunteers take the field was in week four when they took home a 38-33 over Florida.

In that game, Hendon Hooker was both the leading passer and rusher for the Volunteer offense. The senior quarterback threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 13 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown. Hooker and the Tennessee offense is averaging 48.5 points per game and 559.3 yards per game.

Tennessee's offense has many ways to be able to beat you whether that is through the air or on the ground. Cedric Tillman, one of the star receivers for Tennessee, did sit out of the Florida game with an injury. Josh Heupel spoke on Tillman's availability heading into the road tilt against LSU:

"Cedric did have surgery. He did that--had an opportunity to speed up the recovery process. We'll see where he's at. He was limited (during Monday's practice), but moving around a little bit today. We'll continue to see how it unfolds this week and see where we are at."

If Tillman is to be absent for the game against LSU, Tennessee has viable options to step up for the star wide receiver. Bru McCoy and Jalin Hyatt has the ability to beat you down field.

Tennessee's defense is coming off the Florida game where they allowed 453 passing yards to Anthony Richardson. The pass coverage has been poor for the Volunteer defense as they currently rank 128th out of 131 teams in pass defense, allowing 309.3 yards per game.

Prediction for Tennessee @ LSU:

The key to the game for LSU is their offense getting off to a fast start. The Tigers won't be able to afford another slow start against a high-powered Tennessee offense. In their first two SEC games, LSU went down early 13-0 to Mississippi State and 17-0 to Auburn. If LSU starts off in a hole, then the Tigers will be in for a rough day against the Volunteers.

Jayden Daniels can't afford to have another subpar game in the passing game. The best chance for LSU to pull off the upset is to attack the Tennessee secondary early and often. To be able to get Kayshon Boutte and Malik Nabers going in this game will be crucial.

LSU's defense will have their hands full with a Tennessee offense that ranks at the top in points per game and total yards per game. Matt House's crew has done a good job making second-half adjustment in their two SEC games, shutting down Mississippi State and Auburn in the second-half. This game has an opportunity to be a high-scoring shootout with two talented offenses and those in attendance should be in for a treat.

Prediction: Tennessee (31) @ LSU (35) 

Photo Credit: Associated Press & Getty Images

Tyler Eschette: Sports Scramble/CFB Coast 2 Coast/SEC Talk/Olde City Sports Network