LSU football faces its biggest test since Week 1 on Saturday when it travels to Oxford to take on Ole Miss. The Rebels are coming off a 24-10 loss to Alabama but come into the game ranked No. 20 in the country and a contender in the SEC West.
Here’s how The Reveille Sports Staff predicted the matchup:
Peter Rauterkus | @peter_rauterkus
LSU versus Ole Miss might be the most underrated game on the college football slate this weekend. With two of the SEC’s best offenses facing off, this game has all the makings of a shootout.
LSU leads the SEC in total offense and Ole Miss is second in the country in plays of 20 or more yards. However, Ole Miss’s offense had some of its flaws exposed against Alabama.
MORE FOOTBALL: How to watch/listen to LSU vs. Ole Miss
The Ole Miss offensive line has shown weakness throughout the season, struggling to run the ball and to protect quarterback Jaxson Dart. LSU’s defensive line showed inconsistencies early in the season, but consistently pressured the quarterback in its last two games against Mississippi State and Arkansas.
The game will likely be decided on the line of scrimmage. If LSU can get pressure on Dart and make Ole Miss one dimensional, its offense has enough firepower to outscore Ole Miss.
Prediction: LSU 45-38 Ole Miss
Mackay Suire | @macthetiger
This might just be one of the most exciting games for LSU this season. In fact, it’s the first time that these teams have faced off in a top-20 matchup since 2003, when Eli Manning was a Rebel.
After a brutal loss to Alabama last week, LSU finds an advantage in facing Ole Miss when the Rebels are recovering. However, Ole Miss will be able to garner a ton of energy from the fans that will fill its home stadium.
LSU has been finding a ton of success in the second half, but in order to capture a dominant win, it will have to find its groove early. I think a huge factor of success for the Tigers will be a rock-solid defense, which they’ve yet to achieve. Defense will have to contain Jaxson Dart and force him to make mistakes.
The offensive line will have the responsibility of protecting Daniels against the Rebels’ brutal pass rush. I trust, though, that the connection of Daniels to Malik Nabers, as well as others in the receiver room, will be enough to take the game, especially if the defense shows up.
Prediction: LSU 38-31 Ole Miss
Jason Willis | @JasonWillis4
Last week showed that the LSU offense can win in a lot of ways. When Jayden Daniels isn’t at his best, his receivers can make circus catches and carry the offense. Against one of the nation’s best pass-rushers, Daniels was kept mostly clean with only two sacks.
Simply put, I trust LSU’s ability to put up points in this matchup more than I trust Ole Miss’. The Rebels’ loss to Alabama exposed real problems with their offensive line and athleticism after the offense previously looked unstoppable.
MORE FOOTBALL: Ole Miss players to watch against LSU
LSU will need to prevent big plays on defense, but they’ll have no problem controlling the line of scrimmage, and the SEC’s best offense will likely roll as usual.
Prediction: LSU 38-24 Ole Miss
Tyler Harden | @ttjharden8
LSU is coming off a close win against Arkansas, securing its fourth straight win of the season. On the other hand, Ole Miss is coming off a 24-10 loss to Alabama. So, when it comes down to catching someone while they’re down, LSU has the advantage.
However, Ole Miss has been in this spot for the last two years. Two seasons ago, the Rebels lost to Alabama for their first loss of the season and went on to lose just one more game for the rest of the season.
If Jayden Daniels and his receivers can keep their rhythm going into Oxford, LSU’s offense will be able to compete. If not, the Rebels’ offense may be able to compensate. The game with be close regardless, but it will come down to who can do more, and who can be effective.
Prediction: LSU 31-28 Ole Miss
Tre Allen | @treday0314
It’s going to be another tough road trip for the Tigers as they head to Oxford to take on the Ole Miss Rebels. LSU is coming off a close win against the Arkansas Razorbacks while the Rebels are coming off a disappointing showing against Alabama.
This will be the battle of the offenses. LSU is statically the best offense in the SEC while Ole Miss is known for Lane Kiffin and his massive creativity with the offense.
MORE FOOTBALL: Analyzing The Ole Miss offense ahead of LSU’s matchup against the Rebels
The key to this game is which defense can get off on the field on third downs and force turnovers. LSU’s struggles on defense continued last week, giving up 18 points in the second half. Although the offense is one of the best in the country, the defense must force stops to keep the game manageable and prevent a shootout.
I think the consistency of LSU’s offense is stronger than the Rebels, which will allow them to take the extra step in this game.
Prediction LSU 37- 30 Ole Miss
Cabe Bond | @PrezBond
The Tigers third down defense has been horrible this season, and now they’re facing one of the better passing offenses in college football. LSU will have to manipulate Jaxson Dart’s questionable decision making if they want to exit with a win.
Luckily enough, the Tigers have been very successful at applying pressure. Although the defensive line struggled to turn pressures into sacks last week, Dart doesn’t have the pocket presence of KJ Jefferson.
LSU’s offense has also been able to cover for its struggling defense. Ole Miss is definitely going to put up some points, but expect the Tigers to exit Week 5 with another victory.
Prediction: LSU 48-20 Ole Miss
Connor Barney | @theconnorbarney
Ole Miss enters this game after a tough loss to Alabama, and a win against LSU would greatly help its season. LSU enters this game following a close win against an undervalued Arkansas team, and a win would be clutch for its case as the SEC West Champion.
The stakes have been set, and this game will come down to the defense. LSU’s defensive line has made great strides from the beginning of the year and is improving every week, but its secondary has struggled in every game thus far.
With experienced quarterback Jaxson Dart leading the Rebels, the Tigers are going to need to fix their secondary problems if they want to leave Oxford with a win. The offense and Jayden Daniels look deadly, and LSU should pull off a tough one away from home.
Prediction: LSU 41-37 Ole Miss
Lizzie Falcetti | @lizziefalcetti
The close win against Arkansas last Saturday should be a wakeup call for LSU to put forth a strong performance against the Rebels. Ole Miss is off to a 3-1 start but struggled recently. The Rebels lost 24-10 last week and were outscored 18-3 in the second half by Alabama, a team that looked lackluster against Texas and USF.
Ole Miss has an aggressive pass rush, so the LSU offensive line must make sure to give Daniels time to throw. If that happens, it will be a long night for the Ole Miss defense.
This game will likely be won and lost at the line of scrimmage, and LSU has the advantage. If the Tigers enforce their offensive dominance early, they will be able to get a SEC win for the third week in a row.
Prediction: LSU 34-17 Ole Miss
