It’s not Halloween night, but it is homecoming for the 10th ranked LSU Tigers as they renew their rivalry with 8th ranked Ole Miss. Kick-off is at 6:30 PM as Coach Brian Kelly looks to improve to 13-0 in Saturday night games in Tiger Stadium.
Ole Miss is looking for its first win in Baton Rouge since 2008 and Lane Kiffin is looking for his first road win against a Top 25 team as coach of the Rebels.
Here are five things to watch in this matchup.
Who wins 1st Down?
There’s been a lot of talk this week about LSU winning the time of possession to keep the Rebels’ explosive offense off the field. Coach Brian Kelly looks at it differently. He wants his defense to win first down, force Ole Miss into second and long and third and long situations. He says that’s the best way to ruin the rhythm of the Rebels up tempo offense. That’s how Kentucky was able to upset the Rebels earlier this season.
Can LSU give Garrett Nussmeier time to throw?
Other than the South Carolina game, LSU has done a great job protecting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and Nuss has done well in getting rid of the ball quickly. But the Rebels lead the country in sacks with 24 sacks, while the Tigers have allowed only two sacks.
Which wide receivers will see play?
Ole Miss receiver Tre Harris leads the nation in receiving yards, but he’s questionable after suffering a leg injury last week against South Carolina. LSU freshman receiver Kyle Parker is out for the year with a torn tendon in his triceps. LSU senior WR CJ Daniels Junior and junior Chris Hilton are questionable. If Daniels and Hilton can’t play. That will result in more playing time for Zavion Thomas and back-up tight ends freshman Trey’Dez Green and sophomore Ka”Morreun Pimpton.
How does Ole Miss matchup against LSU’s offense?
The Rebels are ranked 12th in the nation in total team defense. Ole Miss has yet to face a very good offense. We’ll see if Ole Miss’s defense is really one of the top units in the country.
Tackling
LSU had 34 missed tackles as they allowed a school record 706 yards in last year’s loss against the Rebels. Last year’s game was a major reason why the entire defensive coaching staff got fired. LSU’s defense has to play better.
I think they will….LSU wins 35-31.