Sports editor Collin Brister (@CollinBrister), NewsWatch 99 station manager Browning Stubbs (@browningstubbs), and football writer Cody Thomason (@thecodythomason)
1. Will Leonard Fournette bounce back this week after two atypical performances against Alabama and Arkansas, respectively?
Cody Thomason: I think Fournette should have a bounce back game and look a little more like his normal self this week. The Rebels have done pretty well in run defense this season, playing very well in that area against Arkansas and Alabama. However, Fournette has been bottled up the last two weeks, and him getting shut down three weeks in a row seems unlikely.
Browning Stubbs- I expect Fournette to bounce back after his lackluster performances. I think he’ll have over 100 yards. With Ole Miss not having senior Denzel Nkemdiche, I think Fournette will have over 100 yards on the Rebels.
Collin Brister: I think Fournette, for a lack of a better phrase, “gone get his.” After two performances that aren’t usual for Fournette, I think he’ll have a bounce-back game and rush for over 150 yards. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you’re the Rebels, since most of LSU’s offense goes through Fournette.
2. Will Ole Miss’ secondary improve from their last performance against Arkansas?
Cody Thomason: There’s nowhere to go but up for the Ole Miss pass defense, since Arkansas dismantled the Rebel secondary. LSU will likely do some similar things with a play-action heavy passing offense, but Ole Miss should have learned a few things to slow that down. LSU is not as good passing as Arkansas, and if the Rebels can stop the deep ball they should be fine.
Browning Stubbs-There’s only one way to go for the Ole Miss secondary. After Brandon Allen torched Ole Miss two weeks ago, I think they’ll have a much better performance this week. LSU”s passing game isn’t as good as Arkansas, and Brandon Harris is the lesser of the Brandons as Brandon Allen is a much better passer.
Collin Brister: I believe the performance against Arkansas was somewhat an anomaly, and I don’t think Brandon Harris is near as good as Brandon Allen. I think Ole Miss’ secondary will have a better game and limit Brandon Harris to completing the deep ball.
3. How will Ole Miss’ offense perform after, arguably, their most complete performance against Arkansas?
Cody Thomason: The Ole Miss offense has been rejuvenated ever since Laremy Tunsil re-entered the lineup, and they should continue playing well this week. The Rebels have been better running the ball recently and have still maintained a dangerous passing attack. Chad Kelly should follow up his tremendous game against Arkansas with another good performance.
Browning Stubbs: I don’t believe that Ole Miss will score as many points, but I do believe that the Rebels will be just as efficient. Ole Miss will face a tougher defense— as many points, but playing tougher defense. I think Ole Miss scores in the 28-35 range, and Chad Kelly has another solid performance.
Collin Brister: I think Ole Miss will be just as good. I think that Chad Kelly is the best quarterback in the SEC, and I think that’s a huge factor in the success of the Ole Miss offense. The Rebels were very successful through the air against Arkansas, and LSU’s secondary isn’t much better. I think Ole Miss scores 30-35.
4. With this game being senior day and the last time a lot of players will play together, does that bring any extra motivation?
Cody Thomason: I think any senior day will bring a little extra intensity to the game from the graduating players. C.J. Johnson, Mike Hilton, Cody Core, Trae Elston, Woodrow Hamilton and the rest of the Ole Miss seniors should have a little extra fire in them playing their final game in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The seniors will want to go out on a high note with an upset at home.
Browning: Senior night will always bring extra motivation. I think with senior Denzel Nkemdiche missing the game, that will bring even more motivation for the team. The realization that this is the last time they will step on Vaught-Hemingway together will inspire the Rebels.
Collin Brister: When you look at the seniors of this class, it’s a class that changed the Ole Miss football program. You look at guys like C.J. Johnson, Aaron Morris, Justin Bell, Denzel Nkemdiche, Collins Moore, Chief Brown and Woodrow Hamilton who went through the 2-10 season in 2011, and how they’ve helped change how this program is viewed nationally. I think the realization that this is it for them at Vaught-Heminway will inspire them, along with the other seniors.
Prediction
Collin Brister- Ole Miss-34 LSU-31
Cody Thomason-LSU-31 Ole Miss-24
Browning Stubbs- LSU 30 Ole Miss-27
