NO. 12 LSU VS. NO. 20 TCU
9 p.m., Arlington, Texas, ESPN
Line: LSU by 4 1/2
An opening statement for Tigers
At stake: LSU gets a big opening test after eight defensive players were NFL draft picks, and as many as 15 freshmen will get playing time. The Tigers have won a school-record 10 consecutive season openers, including wins over Top 25 teams at neutral sites in 2010 and 2011. TCU begins its second Big 12 season with a chance to make a big statement against the SEC. Six SEC teams are ranked above the Big 12's highest-ranked team, No. 13 Oklahoma State, in the preseason Associated Press poll.
In the spotlight: An experienced TCU defense that led the Big 12 goes against an LSU offense with returning skill players and a new coordinator Cam Cameron, the long-time NFL and college coach. While the Tigers return quarterback Zach Mettenberger and their top four receivers, they had one of the nation's worst passing offenses last season. The Horned Frogs had a Big 12-high 21 interceptions and return all five starting defensive backs in their 4-2-5 scheme.
Be in the know: The teams haven't played each other since 1968. … Both TCU victories over LSU came in the 1930s — 3-0 at home in 1931 and 3-2 in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day 1936.
NON-CONFERENCE KING
LSU owns an FBS record for consecutive nonconference regular-season victories and haven’t lost outside the SEC since a 26-8 loss to Virginia Tech in 2002. Coach Les Miles is 31-0, the previous 10 belong to Nick Saban when he was coach in Baton Rouge.
Team; Seasons; Streak
LSU; 2002-present; 41
Kansas State; 1993-2003; 39
Miami; 1985-88; 36
Wisconsin; 2003-present; 33
