LSU vs South Carolina: Five players to watch

Aug 30, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jalen Mills (28) intercepts a pass intended for Wisconsin Badgers tight end Troy Fumagalli (48) during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. The Tigers defeated the Badgers 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Mills

Jalen Mills has yet to appear in a game for the Bayou Bengals in 2015. The senior safety earned first-team Preseason All-SEC honors entering the season, but has been sidelined after suffering a fractured fibula during fall camp.

That could change this weekend.

Mills is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game against South Carolina, and his potential return could not come at a better time.

He would not be called upon to carry a heavy workload this week, but it would serve as the perfect opportunity for Mills to shake off some of the rust from his injury.

Perry Orth is not expected to light up the LSU secondary. The former walk-on quarterback struggled tremendously in his only prior career start, completing just 6-of-17 passes for zero touchdowns and an interception against Georgia earlier this year.

Getting Mills back this week would also give the LSU coaching staff an opportunity to determine how they will handle the return of their senior leader in the secondary.

Junior Rickey Jefferson has looked impressive while filling in for Mills at safety so far this year, and with a showdown against the undefeated Florida Gators looming next weekend, the Tigers would be best served to test out their options against South Carolina on Saturday.

Next: Leonard Fournette