The Kentucky Wildcats will have a big challenge on their hands when they welcome the No. 10 LSU Tigers into Kroger Field this Saturday, just the second time in the last 20 years that the Tigers have made the trip to Lexington. Will Stein is looking to create some magic similar to Kentucky’s upset win over No. 1 LSU in 2007, but like back then, it will be a tall task.

What will the Tigers bring to Kroger Field other than a top 10 ranking? Will Stein was asked about what he has seen from LSU on tape in preparation for Saturday’s big matchup. Starting with the offense, the head coach says their run game actually helps open up opportunities for quarterback Sam Leavitt in the pass game. As a former Kentucky target in the transfer portal, Stein talked about what he has seen in him and how the run game affects the overall offense.

“Sam Leavitt’s a really elite competitor. The guy took Arizona State to the college football playoffs two years ago,” Stein said. “Can make every throw on the field. Not the biggest guy by stature, but super, super competitive, high football IQ, and has done a really nice job in this system. They usually have a really good offensive line, and I think what’s not talked about is their ability to run the football has typically made their passing game even better. So they do utilize tempo and different splits, but it is a really tough offense to defend.”

Then there’s the defense. It’s not just the offense that is the star of the show under Lane Kiffin this season. Stein raved about the Tigers on that side of the ball, saying they have NFL-caliber players all over the field. He was asked on his radio show what sticks out to him about LSU’s defense.

“Shoot, I mean, what doesn’t? They got a lot of really good players that are going to play in the NFL a long time on that side of the ball,” Stein said. “They have the nation’s sack leader at edge. They got a 6-4 corner that’s going to be a first round pick at safety that’s a freak. They got a young freshman (defensive tackle) that everybody in the world recruited. So they’re really good defensively.”

You heard it straight from Will Stein’s mouth that Saturday is going to be a tough one, but you don’t need him to tell you that when that No. 10 is attached to LSU. As we’ve learned so far this season, you can never count out a Will Stein-coached team in any game. Can he work some more magic, this time at home?

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