Eastern Michigan vs. LSU College Football Week 5 Preview, TV Schedule, Prediction

TV Schedule: Saturday, Oct. 3, 7:00 p.m., ET, ESPNU

Stadium: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, La.

Line: LSU (-44.5)

In what is quickly becoming a banner year, LSU RB Leonard Fournette rushed for a career-high 244 yards and two TDs in their Week 4 matchup against Syracuse. The Tigers came away with the win in a 34-24 victory.

Fournette has already amassed 631 yards and eight TDs. The Tigers have only played three games this season after their season opener against McNeese State was canceled due to weather. If he keeps posting such impressive numbers, Fournette could be the first non-QB to win the Heisman since 2009 (Alabama RB Mark Ingram).

The only other LSU player to win a Heisman is HB Billy Cannon back in 1959.

Eastern Michigan’s 127^th ranked rushing defense (last in FBS) will be no match for the explosive Fournette and LSU’s mixed bag of offensive tactics. LSU employs a multiple offensive scheme, making it hard for opposing teams to scout. It doesn’t help Eastern Michigan that LSU is 3-0 this season and still dropped a spot in the polls because of their sloppy play in last week’s win over Syracuse, something the Tigers will be eager to prove was a mistake.

Eastern Michigan is 1-3 this season. Their only win came in Week 2 against Wyoming (48-29). The Eagles are coming off a 36-58 loss to Army and will have low confidence heading into Saturday’s game. That is something they can ill afford with LSU’s seventh-ranked rushing offense in yards per game (6.9 yards per carry average).

Last season, the Eagles finished 2-10 and in last place of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference. Although sophomore QB Brogan Roback already has 877 yards, LSU’s defense will easily put a stop to the inexperienced play-caller.

Despite Eastern Michigan’s mascot pulling double duty as America’s national bird, expect the Eagles to be Tiger bait Saturday.

Prediction: LSU 52, Eastern Michigan 10

Hannah Fields is a Tennessee Titans and SEC Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @hanfran7, “Like” her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.