The Daily Reveille
Sports Editor
Trey Labat
When third ranked Ole Miss rolls into Baton Rouge Saturday, they will be expecting to beat a 25th ranked LSU team that has struggled against top-notch Southeastern Conference opponents this season.
Oh, how the tables have turned.
The Tigers (6-2, 2-2) will have to prove their recent conference-winning streak isn’t merely the beneficiary of playing the weaker SEC East when they face the undefeated Rebels.
But with an offense that has struggled to move the ball, facing a Rebels defense — maybe the best in the best in the country — might prove just too much to handle.
Sophomore quarterback Anthony Jennings has solidified his role as the starter, getting through two straight conference games without a turnover, but he’s only completed 50 percent of his passes.
The bulk of his yards have come on long plays down the sideline to his favorite receiver Travin Dural, but too often Jennings’ eyes lock onto Dural and he fails to work through the rest of his progressions. Rebels’ senior safety Cody Prewitt will be able to read the quarterbacks eyes the whole way, knowing the young quarterback will force it to his top target or tuck it and run.
First down has been crucial for the Tigers all season, with an inconsistent passing game the Tigers have relied on picking up solid yardage via the running game on first down, allowing them to open up their playbook. Freshman running back Leonard Fournette has shown flashes of why he was considered the No. 1 recruit in the country and senior running back Terrence Magee torched Kentucky behind an improving offensive line.
If LSU can win the line of scrimmage — a tall task with Robert Nkemdiche playing like an All-American — it gives itself a chance to score points on the Ole Miss’ defense.
Ole Miss senior quarterback Bo Wallace has avoided the turnover bug recently, but with the Tigers secondary reaching top form — boosted by the play of freshman safety Jamal Adams — the Tigers could force some turnovers, especially with the help of what will be nbso online casino reviews a raucous crowd.
But ultimately, the Rebels defense is just too good. The Tigers won’t be able to score points without the help of great special teams play or some turnovers and the Rebels will make just enough big plays on offense to pull out the win.
Ole Miss 24, LSU 13
The Daily Mississippian
Sports Editor
Dylan Rubino
We all remember what happened last year in the Magnolia Bowl. Ole Miss was depleted by injuries on both sides of the ball. People gave them no chance to defeat 6th ranked LSU at home.
What a mistake that was. Andrew Ritter kicked a 41-yard field goal as time expired to pull off the unexpected upset and gave the Rebels their signature win of the season.
LSU almost came back after being down 17 points in third quarter, but it didn’t matter.
That was last year. This year, the roles have reversed. Ole Miss comes in as the favorite on the road, which was the part LSU played last season. The stakes are higher as the Rebels have SEC title hopes on the line with an undefeated record. If there is any game where Ole Miss can trip up, it’s against LSU.
The offense for Ole Miss has played conservative as of lately, riding the coattails of the swarming “landshark” defense to victory. It may catch up to Ole Miss Saturday, as LSU likes to control the ball on offense and methodically beat opponents by sustaining long drives and controlling the clock.
The Rebels are well equipped to handle the passing attack of LSU and stopping their top receiver Travin Dural. Where the defense may struggle would be against the ground game of LSU. The Rebels have to deal with Leonard Fournette, Kenny Hilliard, and Terrence Magee. The committee of running backs has worked for LSU as they support one of the top rushing attacks in the country.
LSU will try and win the battle at the line of scrimmage, but the Ole Miss front seven has been consistently improving as of lately and looks to make a statement against the strong offensive front of LSU.
On offense for Ole Miss, Bo Wallace will need to continue his stretch of not turning the ball over. I expect the offense to have a more aggressive approach against strong front seven that LSU brings to the table.
Ole Miss has come to far to lose a crucial game on the road against a rival. The defense thrives no matter what situation they’re put in and I’m looking for the offense to make an aggressive statement.
Ole Miss 35, LSU 13
