LSU spring football game: Preview, TV schedule, storylines to watch

Author:
James Parks
Publish date:
Apr 22, 2022 2:32 PM EDT

Year 1 of the Brian Kelly regime at LSU begins in earnest as the Tigers welcome fans to Death Valley to see the team's annual spring game in Baton Rouge.

LSU turned to Notre Dame's winningest coach in a bombshell move this offseason just two years removed from winning the College Football Playoff but winning only 11 games since then.

So far, Kelly has performed admirably enough both on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal, but LSU still has major structural questions to answer on this roster and a wave of decisions to make regarding starters and backup players.

Scroll through to see how you can see the LSU spring football game, and what you should be watching for as the Tigers take the field.

LSU spring football game schedule

When: Sat., April 23

Time: 2 p.m. Eastern

Where: Tiger Stadium | Baton Rouge

TV: SEC Network

Live stream: ESPN+

2022 LSU football spring game: Storylines to watch

1. Establish the run

Getting under four yards per carry isn't going to cut it in the SEC. Or really anywhere for that matter. LSU failed to surpass 1,000 yards in its conference slate a year ago, and it gained over half its total in just two outings.

And the Tigers won't have Ty Davis-Price to lean on anymore after he went pro. Where does that leave the position this fall? Let's look at who's coming back.

Tre Bradford rushed twice for 11 yards and didn't play in the bowl game
Armoni Goodwin didn't bowl, but had 65 yards off 16 attempts
John Emery didn't play in '21 over an academic issue, but has 699 scrimmage yards and seven career touchdowns

And one potential ace in the hole — Noah Cain, the former Penn State starting back who transferred to LSU this offseason.

Cain is coming off a junior season in which he placed second on the team with 350 rushing yards off 106 carries. The former No. 6 recruit in Florida also led Penn State with four rushing TDs on the year and set a school freshman record with eight rushing scores two seasons ago.

Corey Kiner, once a contender to earn the starting job, transferred to Cincinnati. He rushed for 324 yards and two scores last fall.

2. Offensive line rotation

One thing Brian Kelly has usually done well in his career is put together solid protection units for his offense. Notre Dame has consistently fielded a physical front five and he and OL coach Brad Davis have some quality pieces to work with here.

Expect to see a lot of different looks in the spring game as the coaching staff tries to get some kind of line on who belongs and who doesn't. Keep an eye on early enrollee Will Campbell and Charles Turner, two interesting additions that can make an impact. LSU has to replace four starters up front: the wrong decisions made here, and this season can go downhill fast.

3. The quarterback battle

Kelly and his staff have been liberal in spreading around reps at the quarterback position in order to get every player as much on-field work as possible to make the right decision. Myles Brennan and Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels lead this group, but it's a real toss-up who eventually gets that No. 1 honor.

Brennan threw for 1,112 yards, 11 touchdowns and three picks in 2020, completing 79 of 131 passes before an ab injury ended his season. That, in just three games. It's experience and efficiency that LSU sorely needs at the most important position.

Daniels had 2,943 yards in his first season, scoring 17 touchdowns in the air and throwing two interceptions. A gifted athlete, Daniels also rushed for 355 yards and three more scores as the Sun Devils went 8-5 and beat Florida State in the Sun Bowl. Last season, Daniels passed for 10 touchdowns while covering 2,380 yards in the air. He rushed for 710 yards and six scores last fall for another 8-5 team.

Garrett Nussmeier and new signee Walker Howard round out this rotation. It's not expected that either will seriously make a push for the starting role, but Kelly has been very high on Nussmeier's technical prowess. He went 18 of 31 with 179 yards a TD and two picks against Arkansas last season.

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