After a convincing 41-3 victory against Kentucky, the No. 24 LSU football team prepares to host SEC West foe No. 3 Ole Miss on Saturday.
LSU coach Les Miles hosted his weekly news conference Monday, previewing the upcoming top-25 matchup between the Rebels (7-0, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) and Tigers (6-2, 2-2 SEC).
“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, game day, and the eyes of the college football audience on what’s going on in Baton Rouge.”
Miles commended Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze and the program, and he said he believes the team is worthy of its spot among college football’s elite.
“Ole Miss, 7-0, a No. 3, nationally ranked opponent,” Miles said. “Coach Freeze is doing a great job there building a quality program. They’re very good, a very talented team on both sides of the ball.”
Saturday night’s game will pit the Tigers against the highest ranked opponent they have faced all season. The Rebels are 7-0 for the first time since 1962 and are one of four remaining undefeated teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Saturday will mark the 103rd time the two schools have met since 1894, and Miles said the Rebels are worth every opponents’ best shot.
“They’ve had 15 interceptions, 20 turnovers, so this is a very quality team,” Miles said. “The style of team that deserves being nationally ranked and deserves the best efforts of their opponents. There’s some great history with this rivalry.”
Ole Miss comes to Baton Rouge allowing only 10.6 points per game and seven touchdowns. The Rebels rank second in the SEC in total defense behind Alabama, and Miles said LSU’s offense will have to stay balanced to come out on top.
“Well, we have to keep our opponents, all of which, off balance with the run and the pass,” Miles said. “We’re a team that really wants to be balanced. I think you will find that in the back end of last week’s game we like to throw the football a little more, should the score not be so one-sided.”
Miles noticed the issue of dwindling attendance at the end of football games at Tiger Stadium. Miles encouraged fans to make sure they stay through the end of the game because he said games like this weekend’s are worth staying for.
“Only thing I can tell you is that if you have tickets, the back end of these games is worthwhile staying for,” Miles said. “It’s, in my opinion, an event. It’s a wonderful place to spend an evening.”
You can reach Jack Chascin on Twitter @Chascin_TDR.