LSU football enters Week 6 with its back against the wall after a 55-49 loss to Ole Miss. The Tigers travel to Columbia to face Missouri, who enters the game undefeated and ranked No. 21 in the country.

Here’s how The Reveille Sports Staff predicted the matchup:

Peter Rauterkus | @peter_rauterkus 

LSU needs this game. After a disappointing loss to Ole Miss, a game where LSU gave up over 700 yards of total offense, the Tigers have no choice but to respond.

Offensively, LSU has proved it can move the ball and score on anyone. That shouldn’t be an issue, but stopping Missouri’s offense likely will. Missouri’s offense features the country’s leading receiver, Luther Burden III who is used in a variety of ways within the offense.

Burden’s ability in the open field is arguably his biggest strength, which is concerning given LSU’s weaknesses in open-field tackling. While Missouri’s start to the season is impressive, it has yet to face the level of athlete LSU has on both sides of the ball.

LSU’s offense is on a roll, and this game is the perfect opportunity for the defensive line to bounce back.

Prediction: LSU 42-35 Missouri

Jason Willis | @JasonWillis4  

This game will most likely involve a lot of points. It’s getting to the point where you can expect LSU to put up at least 30 every game, and Missouri’s offense under new coordinator Kirby Moore and improved quarterback Brady Cook is formidable. Missouri has an excellent group of receivers and attacks in a diverse set of ways.

I don’t expect LSU’s defense to come out with a statement performance, but I do expect it to come up with a few more stops, simply because it can’t get worse than last week and I do believe in the unit’s mental toughness.

Last week’s game was essentially a coin flip despite the worst defensive performance in LSU history; LSU had a legitimate chance to win the game at the end. I expect the defense to make marginal improvements and at least clear the runway for the offense to comfortably take over. The Tigers won’t drop two straight.

Prediction: LSU 38-30 Missouri

Tyler Harden | @ttjharden8 

This game will be about how LSU can respond in moments of adversity. After a poor defensive performance against Ole Miss, all eyes on how the defense will especially respond. With Missouri having home-field advantage and a powerful offensive attack led by Luther Burden III and Brady Cook, the defense will once again be tested.

But I think Jayden Daniels and his receivers in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. will deem too much for Missouri’s defense. In a high scoring game where both defenses show flaws, it will come down to whose offense can be stronger.

Prediction: LSU 45-38 Missouri

Tre Allen | @treday0314

After last week’s performance against Ole Miss the morale behind the team has been down.

Giving up over 700 yards to a high-powered offense, they will now travel to Columbia to take on the Missouri Tigers led by Luther Burden and Brady Cook. Burden leads the country in receiving yards and will look to continue to dominate the field against a dismantled LSU secondary. 

Meanwhile LSU will still be led by Jayden Daniels and his talented receiver core in Malik Nabers and Brain Thomas Jr. The LSU offense is one of the most dynamic offenses in the country and will need to capitalize on every opportunity until the defense can figure it out.

I think this game is going to be another high scoring game where one turnover or one stop can be the difference. Although I’m not sold on LSU’s defense and think it’s going to be another long game, I think the loss to Ole Miss left a bad taste in their mouth and will try something new to limit the big plays.

Prediction: LSU 42-39 Missouri 

Cabe Bond | @PrezBond 

The Tigers’ defense nearly lost the Arkansas game, then followed the poor performance with an even worse one against Ole Miss, allowing 706 total yards. Fortunately, Jayden Daniels is in the middle of a Heisman season.

While the Tigers are playing at Missouri, Daniels is more than capable of handling business in Columbia. The defense has shown no signs of improving, actually getting worse each week. This is going to be a shootout between two high-octane SEC offenses, with LSU ultimately coming out on top.

Prediction: LSU 59-52 Missouri

Connor Barney | @theconnorbarney

LSU will bounce back this game. Its offense continues to excel at an elite level, but their defense is ranked as one of the worst in all of college football in stop rate. 

Missouri is going to make the game interesting, so LSU will have to rely on their offense against Missouri if they want to win. Expect every game to be a high-scoring shootout for the rest of the season, with the purple and gold Tigers taking this one. 

Prediction: LSU 55-48 Missouri