The Daily Reveille sports staff shares their thoughts and score predictions ahead of LSU’s matchup with No. 22 Mississippi State.
Another test for LSU’s offensive line | Chris Caldarera
LSU’s offensive line struggled mightily against Florida, and constant pressure on quarterback Joe Burrow helped the Gators upset the Tigers in The Swamp.
While LSU demonstrated clear improvement in the trenches against Georgia, the offensive line will once again be put to the test when Mississippi State comes to town.
Bulldog linemen Montez Sweat, Jeffery Simmons, Gerri Green and Chauncey Rivers combine for 26.5 tackles for loss this season, and Mississippi State ranks third in the SEC in average sacks per game.
At 290 yards per game, Mississippi State also ranks first in the league in pass yards allowed. If LSU’s offensive front is once again unable to hold off a dominant pass rush, it could be a long day for the Tigers.
Prediction: LSU 20 Mississippi State 24
LSU not sleeping on Mississippi State | Brandon Adam
One thing is for sure, LSU isn’t going to be sleeping on Mississippi State and looking onto Alabama. The vast majority of LSU’s starters are the same guys who went to Starkville and were embarrassed by the Bulldogs last year. They haven’t forgotten.
Ed Orgeron said they haven’t talked about Alabama this week — only the memories of a 37-7 beatdown provided by Mississippi State.
However, don’t expect to see a similar result from last year when LSU had less than five scholarship defensive linemen healthy and Mississippi State’s run game traversed up the field at will. The Tiger defense is much more equipped to handle the Bulldogs this year.
Really, all LSU needs to do this week is survive. It doesn’t matter if they win by 30 or 3, just make it through this week.
Prediction: LSU 24, Mississippi State 17
Defense must be ready for Fitzgerald | Glen West
Coming into the season, Nick Fitzgerald was seen by some as having an outside shot at the Heisman. After a 1-2 start in SEC play, those hopes quickly went away.
Fitzgerald’s passing stats haven’t been all that great, 49.6 percent completion percentage and four touchdowns to three interceptions. The dual-threat quarterback has been productive with his legs, rushing for 513 yards and seven touchdowns on 98 carries.
The LSU front seven is undoubtedly prepared for the possibility that Fitzgerald will use his legs a ton in this game. The Tigers sport one of the elite secondaries in the conference and it’ll be up to the guys up front to make sure the Bulldog quarterback stays one dimensional.
Prediction: LSU 27, Mississippi State 20
The trenches, as they often do, will determine the game | Kennedi Landry 
LSU has been criticized all season for its lack of a pass rush on the defensive side and a lack of pass protection on the offensive side. 
But last weekend, in the Tigers’ upset over Georgia, all of that disappeared as they undoubtedly controlled the line of scrimmage. Quarterback Joe Burrow was only sacked three times compared to five the previous week against Florida. The defensive line, including junior Michael Divinity on the edge stepped up and pressured Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm all night. 
And with a dual-threat quarterback like the Bulldogs’ Nick Fitzgerald, the Tigers will need to contain him to win this game. 
Prediction: LSU 31, Mississippi State 17