| A game day few ever thought would happen is finally here. LSU. Southern. Under the lights in Tiger Stadium. The game's a sellout and the campus is expected to be packed with perhaps as many as 200,000 fans/revelers, a scene probably never to be duplicated as the game is likely to be a one-off event. Our Wilson Alexander tells us how LSU and Southern got here, and what we can hope to see Saturday. “I see it as a unifier bringing our city together,” Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said. Fingers crossed, Mayor. We have a whole raft of game coverage for you, so let's run down the starting lineup: - I offer my perspective on the game as a life-long Baton Rouge resident, LSU graduate, and Southern beat writing alumnus.
- All the social significance aside, there is a football game to be played, and the Tigers have things to work on after losing to Florida State on Sunday. Sheldon Mickles writes about the approach LSU is taking to improve blocking moving forward.
- Leah Vann checks off the top four story lines heading into the Tigers-Jaguars matchup.
- Odds are hard to find on games between FBS teams (LSU) and FCS opponents (Southern), but our Zach Ewing leaves no betting line unturned.
- Sheldon Mickles is back with his top three Southern players to watch: quarterback BeSean McCray, defensive tackle Jason Dumas and linebacker Jordan Lewis. LSU's top three to watch: quarterback Jayden Daniels, defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo and of course, receiver/kick returner Malik Nabers.
- He's also got his weekly SEC power rankings (the Tigers are the SEC's only winless team, but they're not last).
Finally, football home games are often the backdrop for big recruiting weekends. That's certainly true for LSU coach Kim Mulkey's Tigers, as they are expected to welcome four top 100 prospects for official visits including guard Mikaylah Williams from Bossier City Parkway. Williams, the nation's No. 1 prospect for the 2022-23 cycle, is committed to LSU. Thanks for reading, and subscribing. We'll be with you every day through the football season with the latest coverage on the Tigers. Stick with us, and we'll bring the seven layer dip for the tailgate party. Scott Rabalais | 
