This weekend should prove to be one of the best weeks of the year in college football. There are numerous big games up and down the slate, including Alabama vs Georgia and Oregon traveling east to take on Penn State. There’s also another huge undefeated matchup taking place in Oxford, with Ole Miss vs LSU.
Not only is it a major rivalry between the two schools, as this is set to be the 107th meeting between the two. This year’s matchup could also have big College Football Playoff implications. And that’s before you include Lane Kiffin’s daughter announcing her relationship with LSU linebacker Whit Weeks this week, as well. That announcement was enough to get a tongue-in-cheek response from Kiffin on social media, simply stating, “Take the over.”
But that’s enough about college romance. We care more about what happens on the field. So what can we expect on Saturday in Oxford, and who has the edge?
Previewing Ole Miss vs LSU
How Does LSU Pick Up a Big Win on the Road?
It’s simple. Defense. The Tigers have given up 10 points or fewer in every game they’ve played so far this season. The biggest question there is how much of that has to do with competition. Even with Florida and Clemson on the schedule, those offenses have been less than stellar this season. The Ole Miss offense is far and away the best they will have seen so far. If they really are that good, they’ll be able to slow down the Rebel offense. If they aren’t, Ole Miss is going to have success at moving the ball. For Harold Perkins, he’s essentially going to have one job. Simply not allowing Trinidad Chambliss to escape the pocket. If they can keep Chambliss from using his legs, they’ll be able to find that success.
The flip side is that there are questions about the Tiger offense. Even with almost certain first-round pick Garrett Nussmeier at quarterback, they’ve looked underwhelming this year. There’s talent all over the field for the offense, but they haven’t looked like we expected. Then there’s the fact that the Ole Miss defense isn’t as good as Florida or Clemson. This has to be the week they find a way to get on track, if they’re going to show they’re as good as we believe.
Simply put, LSU has to win in the trenches on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. If they do this, they’ll win this game. If they don’t, they’ll be heading back to Baton Rouge no longer undefeated.
Keys For Ole Miss to Pick Up the Huge Home Win
Similarly, it’s all about the line of scrimmage for the Rebels. On the offensive side, they have weapons on the outside that can potentially give the LSU secondary problems. At running back, Kewan Lacy has shown himself to be physical enough to withstand the size of the Tiger front. But none of that matters if the offensive line doesn’t hold up. With Chambliss making only his third career start at the FBS level, it would be almost natural for him to panic if he faces immense pressure.
On defense, it’s a similar story. The Rebel secondary is going to have its hands full against the LSU wideouts. The way to mitigate that is by putting pressure on Nussmeier and keeping them from having to defend for too long. If Suntarine Perkins, Zxavian Harris, and company can do that, they’ll have a chance. Then, there’s the fact that Ole Miss has been atrocious against the run this season. With the size and physicality of the Tiger offensive line, expect Brian Kelly to lean heavily on the run early. For the Rebels, they have to avoid letting LSU control the game through time of possession.
Ole Miss vs LSU: Predictions
In a game like this, the line of scrimmage and experience will matter. Even with Ole Miss having improved in the trenches, especially offensively, the Tigers are still better up front. Then there’s the experience factor, particularly at quarterback. Nussmeier is a veteran in the LSU system. He’s been in these types of games and environments. For the Rebels, Chambliss is new and not used to this type of huge game. And while he’s been stellar so far, the law of averages suggests he has to make a mistake or two at some point. That could easily come against an elite LSU defense.
Expect another close matchup between these two rivals. But in the end, Chambliss blinks first, giving the Tigers the chance to take control. It’ll be a fun one in Oxford, but take LSU to get a huge road win, and keep their undefeated hopes alive.
LSU 34, Ole Miss 23
Main Image: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
