| Greetings from Charlotte, North Carolina. We're setting out from here in the morning to Columbia, South Carolina, for the LSU-South Carolina game, which kicks off at 11 a.m. CDT on ABC from Williams-Brice Stadium. It's the Tigers first road game against the Gamecocks since way back in 2008, as South Carolina had to move a 2015 home game to Tiger Stadium because of severe flooding in the Palmetto State. LSU has dominated the series 19-2-1, but that history won't be worth any points for this one. This is a surprisingly dangerous SEC opener for the Tigers, with South Carolina fans sure to be in a frenzy with ESPN's "College Game Day" crew in town. It's a hugely pivotal game for the Tigers (1-1), key to LSU staying on a positive trajectory in year three under coach Brian Kelly. Kelly has had big success at his previous coaching stops in year three, but a loss to the Gamecocks (2-0, 1-0 SEC) would threaten to derail the season just three weeks into it. It is, as a put it in my column, a "Red Alert Roxie" type of game for the Tigers. All four of us who cover the Tigers — myself, Wilson Alexander, Koki Riley and Reed Darcey — have put in our picks for the game. Check them out here and decide whether you agree or disagree with us. Contributing writer Shane Jackson also has his pick for the game and how to approach it from a wagering perspective. We've kept young Reed busy this week. Aside from his picks, he has the latest five-star commitment for LSU women's basketball and his four keys to victory Saturday for the Tigers. Thanks as always for reading and subscribing as we bring you the most comprehensive coverage of LSU's football program and its entire athletic program anywhere. Enjoy your college football Saturday, everyone. Scott Rabalais | 