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Tennessee football at LSU: Five key Tigers to watch for against Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 17, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end BJ Ojulari (18) celebrates with defensive end Ali Gaye (11) and defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy (99) after a sack against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Clause-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end BJ Ojulari (18) celebrates with defensive end Ali Gaye (11) and defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy (99) after a sack against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Clause-USA TODAY Sports /
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What do we make of this LSU Tigers team? They struggled with the Auburn Tigers, and their loss to the Florida State Seminoles doesn’t look as good, but their win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs looks great. At this point, they’re just inconsistent, so it’s difficult for Tennessee football to prepare for them .

However, one thing that stands out is they have a questionable injury on offense but are getting healthier on defense. As we get set to break down the notable players for this team, players returning to health is a huge part of who will actually stand out on Saturday.

Offense is loaded with questions right now, from who the weapons will be to just how dynamic the Tigers are. If LSU is to win, it’s by making plays on defense, and that’ll show with this list here. Tennessee football needs to be ready for every aspect of that defense. Here are the five Tigers to watch for against the Vols.

Brian Kelly will rely on these Louisiana State players against Josh Heupel and the Tennessee football Volunteers in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday.

LSU Tigers defensive end Ali Gaye (11), linebacker Greg Penn III (30), linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. (40) and cornerback Mekhi Garner (2) celebrate an interception against Auburn as the Auburn Tigers take on the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.Aulsu30
LSU Tigers defensive end Ali Gaye (11), linebacker Greg Penn III (30), linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. (40) and cornerback Mekhi Garner (2) celebrate an interception against Auburn as the Auburn Tigers take on the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.Aulsu30 /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 817. Defensive end. Senior. Ali Gaye. 5. player

6’6″ 265 pounds

LSU’s most versatile defensive lineman, Ali Gaye looks a lot bigger than his listed size suggests. He’s an intimidating force, and he has only started to get better in recent weeks. However, there hasn’t been a game in which Gaye didn’t show up. Even before he was ejected for targeting against FSU, he had two tackles, one solo.

For the year, Gaye has two tackles for a loss, a sack, a forced fumble and nine total tackles, five of which were solo. His forced fumble came against the Southern Jaguars. Over the past two weeks, he has burst onto the scene, picking up one and a half tackles for a loss, a sack and three tackles, one of which was solo, against the New Mexico Lobos.

Against Auburn, Gaye again assisted on a tackle for a loss and had a solo tackle. Because of his hybrid role, he doesn’t rack up the stats the way other edge rushers do, but he’s a huge factor for LSU, so Tennessee football has to be prepared for the trouble he could bring.

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