BATON ROUGE – In some ways, Northwestern State's Tuesday night matchup with No. 8 LSU is a lot like many other midweek games.
 
In other ways, especially for the 23 native Louisianans in the Demons program, it is quite different.
 
Regardless of which side of the argument one resides, Northwestern State faces its second ranked foe of the season when it walks into Alex Box Stadium at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
 
"When you go play LSU, everyone gets cranked up for it," fourth-year head coach Lane Burroughs said. "To me, it's another midweek game. They're a very good club, a lot of respect obviously. For our in-state kids, it's fun for us to go play them.
 
"I grew up in Mississippi and wanted to play at Mississippi State, so whenever we had a chance to go play there, I was amped up. We'll go down there and give it our best shot."
 
The Demons (30-21) bring some momentum into their final midweek game of the season. Northwestern State notched its first road weekend sweep of the season, taking three straight at Nicholls from Friday-Sunday.
 
Northwestern State will face an LSU (36-16) team that comes in on an equally hot streak, having won eight straight games.
 
"Our guys have played well this weekend and have been playing well, especially in league play," Burroughs said. "They're red hot. It seems like they're peaking at the right time."
 
The Tigers are the third ranked team Northwestern State has faced this season, and the trip to Alex Box Stadium marks the second Southeastern Conference venue the Demons have played in this season.
 
Additionally, Northwestern State played a pair of games at Pac-12 Conference foe Arizona, giving the Demons a battle-tested group when it comes to playing in hostile environments.
 
"If you want to play in a regional, you have to get used to playing in those type of venues with a bunch of people in the stands," Burroughs said. "It's one of the best places in the country to play. The fans at LSU are very knowledgeable. If we want to go where we want to be, being in a regional, those are the kind of venues where you have to play.
 
"I hope we're at the point in our program where it doesn't really matter. We've played well at some big venues. Tomorrow will be no different."

The Demons plan to give freshman right-hander Austin Reich (2-1, 1.77) his first start while LSU will counter with left-hander John Valek (6-2, 4.03) as the teams meet for the 11^th straight season.
 
The game will be broadcast through SEC Network Plus, a digital streaming partnership between ESPN and the SEC. It also will air on 100.7 FM KZBL in Natchitoches with free streaming audio available on www.NSUDemons.com.