No. 16 Kentucky hosts LSU in SEC, looking to remain unbeaten
LSU (3-2, 1-1 SEC) at No. 16 Kentucky (5-0, 3-0), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (SEC)
Line: Kentucky by 3 1/2, according to FanDuel.com.
Series: LSU leads 40-16-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Kentucky is ranked for the first time since 2018 since beating then-No. 10 Florida 20-13, and aims to remain unbeaten and tied with No. 2 Georgia atop the East Division heading into next week’s showdown in Athens. LSU is coming off a 24-19 loss to No. 22 Auburn and looks to get back on track in the first meeting between the schools since 2014.
KEY MATCHUP
LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte vs. Kentucky’s secondary. The Tigers sophomore leads the nation with nine touchdowns and has caught one in seven consecutive games dating back to last season. The sophomore faces a unit that held Florida to 211 yards passing and just under nine yards per completion. Kentucky cornerback Yusuf Corker will likely handle much of the coverage and is tied for the SEC lead in pass breakups with six.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte leads the Tigers with 436 yards. He and quarterback Max Johnson have teamed up for 14 TDs in 11 games to tie for sixth in school history. Boutte’s current TD streak of seven games is tied with Jarvis Landry and Dwayne Bowe for the longest in program history.
Kentucky linebacker Jacquez Jones is coming off his best game with the Wildcats since transferring from Mississippi. His end-zone pass deflection in the final seconds preserved the upset of Florida and capped a night that included nine tackles (one for loss) and a QB hurry. The senior is second on the team with 33 stops and intercepted a pass against Missouri.
FACTS AND FIGURES
LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is out indefinitely after having a procedure on his left foot. … The Tigers’ 20 sacks rank third in FBS and lead the SEC. … QB Max Johnson ranks fifth nationally with 16 TD passes and has completed 113 of 181 attempts for 1,469 yards. … LSU has converted all 14 red-zone opportunities this season, including nine TDs. … The Tigers are 5-1 after losses under coach Ed Orgeron. … Kentucky has won seven in a row dating back to last season and seeks its first 6-0 start since 1950. … The Wildcats won the previous Lexington matchup, 43-37 in three overtimes in 2007. LSU went on to the national title that season. … RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. leads SEC rushers (621 yards) and ranks fifth in FBS.
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