A hard-nosed ground game against an immovable, hard-hitting defense is what Southeastern Conference football is all about.
This figures to be the case when the No. 24 LSU football team squares off against No. 3 Ole Miss in their 103rd meeting on Saturday.
“Ole Miss is a great defense, great defensive line, great linebackers and really physical [defensive] backs,” said senior center Elliott Porter. “I mean, everybody is pretty good, especially in the SEC, so we’re definitely going to have our hard hats on this week at practice preparing for them and getting ready for them and doing what we do best — trying to get a win.” 
The Tigers (6-2, 2-2 SEC) are coming off a string of dominant rushing performances in the SEC, gaining 498 yards on the ground in their last two contests, including 303 yards on the ground against Kentucky last Saturday.
The turnaround in the Tigers’ run game in recent weeks is because of their veteran offensive line resurgence.
“I feel like we carried a burden, and we had to,” Porter said. “The game starts up front. You can’t look through that any other way. Everything starts up front, and it ends up front. The team goes as we go. We keep on working and keep on improving like we are, I think we’re going to be okay in the end of it.”
Senior running back Terrence Magee said the offensive line has made running the ball easier the past few weeks, complementing the line’s hard work. But come Saturday night, the unit will face the toughest test of the season. 
The Rebels (7-0, 4-0 SEC) come into Baton Rouge with one of the nation’s top defenses. Ole Miss is ranked eighth in the nation in total defense, allowing opponents to gain a mere 290.6 yards per game.
Ole Miss leads the nation in scoring defense with only 10.6 points allowed per game while giving up a nation-low seven touchdowns this season.
LSU coach Les Miles said Ole Miss’ defense is so effective partly because of its ability to get to the ball.
“They have great scheme and over the top coverage, great speed to the ball,” Miles said.
The Rebels come into Tiger Stadium with one of the best rushing defenses in the country. Ole Miss ranks second in the SEC and sixth nationally in rushing defense, allowing 97.1 yards per game.
Ole Miss’ front seven will test the will of the Tigers, who average 48 rushing attempts per game. As reliant as LSU is on the run game in its offense, sophomore wide receiver Travin Dural said it’ll be important for the Tigers to come out with a more balanced approach to defeat the Rebels.
“We have to be better in the run and pass,” Dural said. “We can’t just always rely on the running game because some games, it might not work. We don’t know how the game is going to go on Saturday. We don’t know if the run is going to get stopped or the pass is going to get stopped. We just need to come out and be able to move the ball and make plays.”
The LSU offensive line has improved its performance, but it hasn’t faced a defense quite like the Rebels’ this season.
LSU sophomore offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins is aware of the Rebels’ talent, but he said he believes the offensive line will be just fine.
“I believe we got to keep on doing what we’re doing,” Hawkins said. “We’re getting better every week.  We have to stay communicating, get even better chemistry and stay physical. As long as we do that, we’ll be pretty well off.”
While Ole Miss’ run defense is one of the nation’s best, its pass defense is what’s stealing most of the headlines.
The Rebels are tied for first nationally with 15 interceptions this season, including three picks returned for a touchdown this season, which is also tied for first nationally. Ole Miss senior cornerback Senquez Golson tops the SEC and is second nationally with seven picks.
“I see a bunch of ball hawks, a bunch of guys who fly around to the ball and a bunch of athletic guys,” Dural said. “They play their technique real well, and you can tell they’ve grown a lot since last year.”
Dural said it’s important to not make mental mistakes against a defense like Ole Miss’.
“We talk about ball security, keeping the ball and just having great ball security, not giving them the ball, not giving them the opportunity to have good field position or anything,” Dural said. “Just end every drive with a kick. Try not to make those mental mistakes where we give them the ball with a short field.”
The Rebels have forced an SEC-leading 20 turnovers this season, which will put pressure on LSU’s offense to move the ball down field, especially in the passing game.
Dural said the most important aspect of the passing game is ensuring each route is run as precisely as possible, not giving any leeway for a potential
turnover.
“[The most important thing is] making sure your routes are at the correct depth and catching the ball and protecting it, making sure it’s secure,” Dural said. “There’s going to be a lot of guys around the ball.”
The game is set up to be a hard fought battle, and Miles said games like Saturday’s are what big-time college football is all about.
“These games are the reasons that you come to LSU,” Miles said. “The style of big rivalry, an opponent that you know well. We will enjoy preparation, gameday and the eyes of the college football audience on what’s going on in
Baton Rouge.”
You can reach Jack Chascin on Twitter @Chascin_TDR.