West Virginia Football: 3 Keys to Pulling off the Upset over LSU

ESPN College Gameday comes to Morgantown this week, as No. 2 LSU will battle No. 16 West Virginia in a battle of the unbeatens.

Here's a quick look at three keys for West Virginia if they want to pull off the upset. 

Come Out Throwing

LSU has one of the best defenses in the nation. They don't give up a whole lot through the air, but they really don't give up a lot on the ground.

The Mountaineers need not get fancy in this one, as their real strength lies with the pass, and that's really the only way they'll move the ball against the Tigers 

Geno Smith needs to come out throwing, force LSU back onto their heels and keep the pressure on. Smith and his slew of talented receivers will need to keep the tempo up in order to keep the Tigers uncomfortable.

This leads to the next point.

Get Ahead Early

It's a home game, and it can be awfully hard to play at Milan Puskar Stadium—especially if the fans are into it.

If West Virginia can start off hot and get ahead early, they will really keep the crowd loud, thus making it hard for LSU to get their offense going.

Limiting the Tigers, who are 90th in the nation in total yards, might be the easiest way for the Mountaineers to gain an advantage in this game, and if their crowd is in it, it will be even easier.

Limit Turnovers

 Especially against Oregon, LSU really made a nice living off forcing turnovers and subsequently scoring from good field position.

In three games so far, LSU is averaging three takeaways per game, good for 11th best in the nation.

On the other side of the ball, West Virginia gives the ball away one-and-a-half times per game, and they better hope their number of turnovers is closer to one than three.

There's really no question about it. LSU will make you pay as much for your turnovers as anyone in the nation. Geno Smith and Company will have to take care of the ball if they want to come out on top.