TDR sports editor Christian Boutwell sat down with The Daily Mississippian’s sports editor Brian Scott Rippie ahead of LSU-Ole Miss matchup at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Boutwell: What happened last weekend against Arkansas? Chad Kelly seemed to be under pressure a good amount, something LSU can do, too. Has Ole Miss’ offense spoken much this week about protecting against LSU’s pass rush?
Rippie: Offensive line coach Matt Luke talked about how LSU mixes odd and even fronts on the defensive line, and Ole Miss will have to adjust accordingly. The offensive line has held its own most of the time this year, but Saturday will be a really tough test.
Boutwell: LSU knows what Chad Kelly and Ole Miss’ receivers and Evan Engram are capable of, but tell me about another playmaker on Ole Miss’ offense may surprise LSU with his skill level?
Rippie: Eugene Brazley is a name that a lot of people may not know, but will get some snaps at running back. Ole Miss lost two running backs before the year even really began, and although Akeem Judd is the starter, Brazley has also helped keep the ground game serviceable. He is a little bit more patient and has the ability to bounce runs outside with a quick burst. Brazley and Judd went over 100 yards against Memphis. It’s rare when Ole Miss has a back run for 100 in a game, and even rarer to have two. Freeze said he wished he would have stuck with the run more against Arkansas, so look for Brazley — along with Judd — to try to give the Rebels some semblance of a running game.
Boutwell: LSU’s offense is no secret — Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice will carry most of the load. So tell me about Ole Miss’ defense and a particular matchup you’re interested in seeing.
Rippie: I think you’ve got to look at linebacker. Ole Miss is thin here and it’s been a revolving door in the middle–so much so the Ray Ray Smith drew his first start at MLB last week. Rommel Mageo and Detric Bing-Dukes have played well in spots at that position, and DeMarquis Gates has been good on the outside. Consistency has been the issue at linebacker. Freeze announced a slight coaching shift this week that will see graduate assistant Christian Robinson coach the middle linebackers while defensive coordinator Dave Wommack will oversee the “stingers” at outside linebacker.
Boutwell: Ole Miss’ rush defense has struggled some in the past. Has the defense talked about how to stop Fournette and Guice?
Rippie: The team has repeatedly harped on their eyes being in the correct place, and being in the right spots. Ole Miss is young on defense, especially on the back end, so the struggle has really been playing disciplined, assignment football. The plan for Ole Miss is relatively simple: hit Fournette and Guice early and often and get a lot of helmets around the ball. This to me is where the game will be won and lost.
Boutwell: For Ole Miss to win, what has to happen? For LSU to win, which position battles must it win?
Rippie: As simple as this sounds, Ole Miss must stop the run and not turn the football over. That will win them this game. The Rebels know one speed on offense: fast. It’s caused some lightning quick scores as well as three-and-outs. If LSU can get a few of those quick stops and keep the Ole Miss defense on the field, it will wear them down. That’s the recipe Florida State and Alabama used.
Boutwell: Prediction?
Rippie: I have no clue what to make of this game. I think if Ole Miss doesn’t hurt itself with turnovers and drops, it should win the game. But 8 p.m. kickoff in Death Valley is about as tough as it gets in terms of environment, and until it has proved it can go on the road and play well, it doesn’t make sense to pick the Rebels. LSU-27, Ole Miss-24.