LSU mowed over Mississippi State in Tiger Stadium 51-0 last year coming off a disappointing 10-9 loss at Auburn the week before. The No. 4 Tigers (1-1, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) will once again face the Bulldogs coming off a loss, when LSU heads to Starkville, Miss., for Saturday’s game.
LSU fell to Tennessee in overtime last week 30-27 in the Tigers’ home opener.
The Tigers’ practice schedule was thrown off after playing Monday night. Coach Les Miles said the team should be able to manage.
“I think we have made some adjustments to our own schedule that will enable them to play and enjoy being in Mississippi on Saturday,” Miles said. “Is there a concern? Absolutely. But they understand how to redirect and rally.”
Center Rudy Niswanger said the team has taken the focus off last week’s loss and is looking ahead to Mississippi State.
“We always have a game next week,” Niswanger said. “We always have something to play better for, and that’s what we’re doing next week. We just have to regroup and prepare for the next one.”
Mississippi State (2-2, 0-2 SEC) is coming off a 23-10 loss at home last week to Georgia.
“We are coming off a tough loss to Georgia last week and we are hoping our kids can bounce back,” MSU coach Sylvester Croom said. “We are looking forward to it. We get a big home game against a top-notch team. It will be a good day of college football here in Starkville.”
MSU running back Jerious Norwood ranks No. 5 in the SEC in rushing, averaging 76 yards per game.
    “The Bulldogs are a very much improved football team and they are solid in special teams,” Miles said. “Their quarterback makes plays and they have a good running back.”
MSU freshman punter Blake McAdams ranks No. 2 in the conference in punting, averaging 42.5 yards per kick.
With the worst ranked pass defense in the league, giving up 355.5 yards through the air per game, LSU safety Jessie Daniels said he has made some changes to his weekly practice routine.
“I’m watching more film,” Daniels said. “I’ve had an opportunity to study the playbook more, so I can have more confidence in helping our players.”
    On offense, LSU is led by senior running back Joseph Addai, who has rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns through two games this season.
    With quarterback JaMarcus Russell attempting only one deep pass last week, a 47-yard flea-flicker to wideout Craig Davis, receiver Dwayne Bowe said the team has prepared to spread its offense.
“We’re working more on routes we can run off man-coverage,” Bowe said. “As opposed to last week, where we faced more zone.”
Offense is something that has come easy for LSU in Starkville, as Mississippi State has been outscored 83-6 in their last two games at home against LSU.
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