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5 LSU Players Notre Dame Must Focus On In Music City Bowl

5 LSU Players Notre Dame Must Focus On In Music City Bowl

LSU Notre Dame Music City Bowl
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Music City Bowl is set to kick off in exactly one week, and Notre Dame’s looming battle with LSU could prove to be daunting. The Tigers are admittedly loaded with talent across the board, but there are five specific LSU players the Fighting Irish will need to focus on in their effort to end their tumultuous season on a high note. If Notre Dame can contain these five playmakers, they’ll likely emerge victorious.

5. WR Travin Dural

LSU Travin Dural
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

5. WR Travin Dural

LSU Travin Dural
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Tigers’ No. 1 receiving option was fairly solid all season for Les Miles’ squad. In 12 games played, the sophomore caught 37 passes for 758 yards and seven touchdowns. He led the team in each of those categories, and LSU will once again look to get the ball in his hands consistently against the Fighting Irish defense.

4. DE Danielle Hunter

LSU Danielle Hunter
Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

4. DE Danielle Hunter

LSU Danielle Hunter
Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Projected to be a first or second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft if he were to forgo his senior season, Hunter has been a dominant defensive lineman for LSU this year. In 12 games, he’s registered 12 tackles for loss and 64 total tackles. It could be a long day for the Fighting Irish if they allow Hunter to live in the offensive backfield.

3. QB Anthony Jennings

LSU Anthony Jennings
Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

3. QB Anthony Jennings

LSU Anthony Jennings
Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

The Tigers’ starting quarterback has been inconsistent all season, but with Notre Dame’s defense ranked 84th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game, the team’s secondary will need to step up their play. LSU may also play backup quarterback Brandon Harris at times, so the Fighting Irish will need to prepare for both dynamic signal-callers.

2. RB Leonard Fournette

LSU Leonard Fournette
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2. RB Leonard Fournette

LSU Leonard Fournette
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The freshman running back has enjoyed a good season for the Tigers, rushing for 891 yards with eight touchdowns on an average of 5.1 yards per rush. Fournette shared ball-carrying duties with Terrance Magee and Kenny Hilliard throughout the season, but he’s clearly the team’s top back. The Notre Dame defense, which is ranked 62nd in rushing yards allowed per game, will need to slow down LSU’s run game first and foremost.

1. LB Kwon Alexander

LSU Kwon Alexander
Derick E.Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

1. LB Kwon Alexander

LSU Kwon Alexander
Derick E.Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

In 11 games played this season, Alexander was all over the field for LSU’s defense. He recorded 79 total tackles (led the team), 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. The junior is one of the leaders for Les Miles’ defense and will certainly be selected in the 2015 NFL Draft if he leaves school early. It will be a priority for the Notre Dame offense to find a way to consistently block Alexander and minimize his effectiveness.

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