The last time LSU lost a regular season, non-conference football game, gas cost an average of $1.45 per gallon, M. Night Shyamalan?s ?Signs? was topping the box office and Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi were on their way to meeting each other for the last time in the U.S. Open final.
The No. 3 Tigers (1-0) will look to extend this streak to a record-tying 39 consecutive regular-season, non-conference victories Saturday when they play host to the Washington Huskies (1-0).
But mum?s the word with figures like this for LSU coach Les Miles, who would rather not discuss the record until it is broken.
?This is a real quality Washington team,? Miles said. ?We?re not going to talk about ?ifs? and ?whens.? We really need to focus on this team.?
If the last meeting between these two teams in 2009 is any indication, Miles has reason to be wary.
Then-No. 11 LSU went into Husky Stadium as the heavy favorite, but Washington almost gave the Tigers more than they could handle, significantly besting the Tigers in total offense, third-down conversions and time of possession.
But turnovers and a slew of penalties proved too much for Washington, as LSU went on to win, 31-23.
Again, LSU is significantly favored to win this weekend?s matchup, but Washington is playing for more than just their own program this time. The Huskies are representing their entire conference.
The game is the first of only two regular season matches this year that will pit the Southeastern Conference and the Pacific-12 Conference against each other.
A Washington upset victory against LSU in Death Valley would go a long way in proving that the Pac-12 is nearing the same level as the SEC.
?The biggest way to change the perception [of SEC dominance] is to win the big games,? Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said at a news conference. ?That?s what the people see, and that?s what the pundits talk about and write about.?
The Tigers? defense faces the task of slowing Washington?s passing game led by junior quarterback Keith Price.
?They like throwing the ball downfield,? said LSU junior defensive end Barkevious Mingo. ?Our safeties and corners are going to have to be disciplined this week.?
In 2011, Price completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 3,063 yards, 33 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. In the Huskies? season-opening victory against San Diego State, he completed 25 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown.
?[Price] is a guy that can make plays with his feet,? Mingo said. ?He?s got a strong arm, and he keeps his eyes down the field and makes plays.?
But Price won?t have it easy either. LSU held North Texas to an SEC-best 219 yards of total offense. North Texas quarterback Derek Thompson was only able to complete 38.1 percent of his passes against the Tigers.
LSU junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger said he trusts the defense will be able to contain the Huskies? spread offense. If not, he plans on taking matters into his own hands.
?Our defense has done well in the past against teams who put up big numbers,? Mettenberger said. ?Hopefully they can do the same, but our offense is very capable of putting up 50 if we need to.?
Mettenberger earned solid numbers in his debut as starting quarterback, completing 73.1 percent of his passes for 192 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
?I thought our quarterback played well,? Miles said. ??Minus a penalty, [he] could easily have had two touchdowns and another 40 to 45 yards passing.?
Washington?s saving grace last Saturday was its defense, which picked up four sacks and forced three turnovers, including a fumble returned for a touchdown.
?Their front four guys have some size, they have some speed,? said LSU senior guard Josh Dworaczyk. ?As for linebackers, they have some young guys, some guys in there and playing some big roles.?
The Huskies go into this weekend undermanned after suffering several key injuries early this season.
Sarkisian announced this week that junior starting running back Jesse Callier and sophomore defensive end Hau?oli Jamora would both miss the rest of the season due to torn ACLs.
The Huskies lost another key player in sophomore starting offensive tackle Ben Riva due to a fractured forearm. As a result, Washington?s already inexperienced offensive line became even more vulnerable.
But Washington?s recent misfortune could not discourage Sarkisian from doing everything possible to prepare the Huskies for their first road trip to an SEC venue in 29 years.
?There were some things that need to be fixed, and we?re going to have to do it quickly,? Sarkisian said. ?We?re heading down to LSU Saturday night, [a] great environment for college football. It should be a tremendous setting.?
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Contact Tyler Nunez at tnunez@lsureveille.com
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