LSU Tigers storylines ahead of Super Bowl 57

Super Bowl 57 kicks off this evening, and of course, we’re thinking about the LSU Tigers-related storylines. There aren’t many big-game ties to Baton Rouge this year, but more than one might assume.

The lone LSU Tigers alumnus taking the field

Unfortunately, Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the only former Bayou Bengal remaining of the 27 that appeared on NFL playoff rosters. Edwards-Helaire returns to the Kansas City Chiefs active roster after coming off the injured reserve last Monday. The Baton Rouge native missed significant time after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Edwards-Helaire is back on the field, but questions regarding his role remain. The former LSU Tigers running back opened the season as the starter, but rookie Isiah Pacheco remains a priority offensive threat. One must also consider Edwards-Helaire averaged less than 10 carries per game before the injury. Either way, LSU Tigers fans are behind Edwards-Helaire as he chases a Super Bowl ring. Clyde played in Super Bowl 55 as a rookie but was unsuccessful with the rest of the Chiefs against Tampa Bay.

Former LSU Tigers foes in the Super Bowl

We must mention the good and the bad today to include some painful memories for LSU Tigers fans. Few recollections are more painful than those involving Devonta Smith. Smith was on the losing side of LSU’s matchup with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2019. However, Smith caught seven passes for 213 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He followed up with a 231-yard, 3-touchdown day at Tiger Stadium in 2020. Smith suits up for the Philadelphia Eagles tonight, as will another headlining Crimson Tide alumni.

Few storylines surrounding the Super Bowl are more intriguing than that of Jalen Hurts. LSU Tigers fans must prepare now to hear more of Hurts’ rise, fall, and resurrection while at Alabama and Oklahoma. Hurts was 2-0 against LSU as Alabama’s starting quarterback, including 2016’s 10-0 nail biter in Baton Rouge. The Tigers last saw Hurts in the 2019 playoff semifinal, during which LSU smashed Oklahoma 63-28.

Death Valley Voice’s prediction

LSU Tigers can expect Hurts and Patrick Mahomes to put on a show. The Chiefs MVP quarterback remains hampered by a foot injury but is coming off two weeks of rest. Hurts entered Phoenix with a clean bill of health and a lot to prove. The Eagles quarterback is lethal with his feet but also through the air. We think Philadelphia has another big offensive day by way of the deep passing game. Defensively, the Eagles unit is superior and smothering. Travis Kelce will have a big game but expect Philadelphia to get more pressure on Mahomes as the game progresses.

The Eagles win 37-31.