Fellow college football fanatics, we have a storied rivalry set for 2:30 on CBS. One team is trying to prove it deserves its ranking, and another team is out to prove last week wasn’t a fluke. It’s hard not to be fired up for one of the most anticipated games of another loaded college football weekend. The LSU Tigers will host their second top 10 team in three weeks with seventh ranked Ole Miss coming to Baton Rouge Saturday. Some Tiger fans fear a repeat of the Tennessee debacle. Other fans think the offensive renaissance of last week is a sign of things to come. As usual, the answer is likely somewhere in the middle of two extremes. LSU will need to have success in three keys to the game to pull off the win.

Stop the Run

One could honestly say this for every game, because it’s true. However, it’s even more important in this case, as Ole Miss is third in country in rushing offense with 271 yards per game. Ole Miss runs the ball so effectively by using different types of running plays to keep defenses off balance. They run inside and outside zone plays, counters, and traps. Lane Kiffin makes it even tougher to defend with the fast pace and similar formations that avoid showing tendencies of the offense. TCU transfer running back Zach Evans and Quinshon Judkins combine to form one of the most explosive tandems in the country. Quarterback Jaxson Dart is also an effective runner, so Ole Miss can run play action without even faking a handoff.

Explosive Plays

Ole Miss runs a 3-2-6 defense, so they’re slightly undersized. They try to compensate by being aggressive and unpredictable with their blitz packages. LSU will have opportunities for chunk plays running the ball when Ole Miss isn’t gap sound. The Tigers’ offensive line has continued to improve and should be able to create running lanes to effectively run the ball, even without the chunk plays. Every game is different, but Kentucky routinely knocked Ole Miss off the ball earlier in the year. The LSU passing game will also have opportunities to make big plays down the field due to the aggressive nature of the Ole Miss defense. Jayden Daniels now knows he can trust LSU’s wide receivers in 1-on-1 situations if the blitz doesn’t get home.

In-game Adjustments

Ole Miss Head Coach Lane Kiffin is elite at taking advantage of his teams’ strengths. Unfortunately for LSU, he might be even better at exposing his opponents’ weaknesses. There is no doubt that Kiffin has seen ways to exploit the LSU defense, and the Rebels will make momentum shifting plays. LSU Defensive Coordinator Matt House will have to adjust on the fly, but he has shown the ability to do so this year.

The talking heads on television and radio are currently wondering if LSU’s offensive outburst against Florida was an anomaly. Jayden Daniels’ performance was not one of luck; confidence is a game changer. Daniels was already physically able to make every play he made last week. The slight push-off from Jaray Jenkins and acrobatic catches by Brian Thomas are skills, not luck. The effectiveness of the passing game will continue to positively affect the running game, and LSU is now a different team. I have the Tigers winning a close one, especially if Tiger Stadium is rocking like it was the last time Ole Miss entered with a top 10 team. LSU 31 – Ole Miss 28. Geaux Tigers!!!