BATON ROUGE – When the 2024 schedule was finalized, the South Alabama matchup for LSU football wasn't anywhere near the most intriguing game on the slate.

But how things have played out for both Major Applewhite and the Jaguars (2-2), as well as the No. 13 Tigers (3-1), this contest has gotten much more interesting as the teams are set to face off inside Tiger Stadium on Saturday (6:45 p.m., SEC Network).

Led by freshman sensation, and all-time name team selection, Fluff Bothwell and freshman quarterback Gio Lopez, South Alabama has college football's 13th-best offense, putting up more than 500 yards per game.

LSU has had a rough go recently on defense, losing top NFL prospect and junior linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. to a season-ending knee injury last week during the UCLA game.

GARRETT NUSSMEIER Brian Kelly has been surprised by defenses LSU football quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has seen

BRIAN KELLY ON HAROLD PERKINS' INJURY Everything Brian Kelly said about Harold Perkins' season-ending ACL injury

LSU football's defense without Harold Perkins vs South Alabama

How much will Perkins' absence affect LSU's ability to slow down the Jags' scorching hot offense? LSU coach Brian Kelly has said that, despite losing their All-SEC linebacker, that the Tigers can stay in its "Buffalo" package, which is three linebackers, or it has the versatility to shift back to a 4-2-5 and play safety Major Burns closer to the line of scrimmage.

LSU opened the season in a 4-2 front and things were a work in progress with Perkins on the field. Would it be better without him and Whit Weeks playing beside Greg Penn III?

The Jags rely heavily on the run game to set up the passing game, and the Tigers have struggled in that area. South Alabama averages eight big plays per game and LSU's defense has allowed several big plays through four games, especially in the run game.

Can Garrett Nussmeier stay dialed for Tigers?

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has played like he belongs among the top signal callers in college football. He's eclipsed 300 yards passing in three of his four games this season and ranks second among all QBs in passing touchdowns with 13.

The key for Nussmeier and the offense will be continuing to spread the ball around. Against UCLA, nine different receivers recorded a reception.

South Alabama's defense gave up 52 points to North Texas' offense in the season opener so it's susceptible to good quarterback play.

LSU-South Alabama looks to be a shootout

A quick peek at the betting lines suggests that plenty of points are going to be put up, with totals coming in at over/under 65 points.

For LSU, the question is: Can it win an ugly shootout? It hasn't had one yet and last week when LSU and UCLA were trading blows in the first half, playcalling became a little disjointed when LSU was playing catchup.

The defense is going to need to get some stops and, if it can get some early to help spot Nussmeier and company a lead, the Tigers are going to be fine.

LSU football vs South Alabama score prediction

LSU 43, South Alabama 32: With the holes LSU has on defense, the Jags are going to score but the defense gives the offense just enough breaks to allow it to stretch the lead enough to win at home.

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LSU IN TROUBLE AFTER PERKINS INJURY? How much trouble is LSU football in if Harold Perkins is out an extended time?

Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU football vs South Alabama: Score prediction, scouting report