Should we expect a defensive slugfest between South Carolina and LSU?
For all their differences, the 2025 South Carolina football season has strangely mirrored that of No. 11 LSU.
These are two teams that came into the season with playoff expectations. That returned starting quarterbacks — LaNorris Sellers (USC) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) — whose names were in every NFL Draft and Heisman conversation this offseason. That have watched those quarterbacks be, well, underwhelming through five games; they’re still good, but you can almost laugh at any Heisman talk.
These are two teams that come into Saturday night’s game in Baton Rouge (7:45 p.m., SEC Network) relatively disappointed in how their seasons started, with LSU dropping a game at Ole Miss before its bye week and the Gamecocks already with two losses. These are two teams that are a combined 0-3 against squads currently ranked in the Top 25.
And these are two teams that might just have terrible offenses. Key word there: Might. It’s still too early to make any definitive declarations, but the frustration and anger South Carolina fans feel watching the Gamecocks’ offense is mirrored — if not eclipsed — by LSU fans watching the Tigers try and move the ball.
Need proof? Only two teams in the SEC average fewer than 125 rushing yards per game — LSU (104.80) and South Carolina (99.80). The Gamecocks and Tigers have both scored just 16 touchdowns through five games, a figure above only Kentucky (14) and Florida (13). And both Sellers and Nussmeier have a quarterback rating (QBR) in the bottom half of the conference.
“We’re not running the ball consistently enough right now,” South Carolina coach Shane Beamer said, “and we haven’t been as effective running the ball as we as we need to be.”
Said LSU coach Brian Kelly this week: “We have to be much more efficient in the run game. ... My expectation is this offense is going to continue to get better week after week.”
These offenses have been dreadful so far this season, which begs the question: How many points will it take to win: Seven? 10? 21? You could throw out almost any number under 30 and it would be reasonable.
As of Wednesday night, DraftKings Sportsbook set the over/under for combined point between South Carolina and LSU at 44.5. Among games featuring an SEC team this week, only the Texas vs. Oklahoma matchup (43.5) has a lower over/under.
Now, could these offenses completely turn around on Saturday? Absolutely. Both teams just had a bye week and no doubt spent a majority of that idle week concocting new ideas and schemes to get their offenses humming .
Then there are the quarterbacks. Perhaps Sellers can carry over the momentum from the Kentucky win into LSU. And maybe Nussmeier was able to use the bye week to recover from a nagging injury.
Yet, even if all that happens, the case against a high-scoring affair inside Tiger Stadium are the two defenses going to battle.
Both South Carolina and LSU are allowing under two touchdowns a game. Both are in the top half of the SEC in sacks. Both — especially South Carolina — have been impressive with forcing field goals in the red zone. And both the Tigers (7 interceptions) and Gamecocks (6) are averaging at least one pick per game.
“Our guys understand every week is a new week,” said South Carolina defensive coordinator Clayton White. “Talent is never (lacking).”
Maybe Saturday is the night when one — or both — of these offenses finally climbs out of the mud and starts realizing the preseason potential. Or maybe Saturday becomes a rock fight, one of those brutal nights when a first down feels worthy of popping champagne.
This story was originally published October 9, 2025 at 7:30 AM.
