The Daily Reveille sports staff shares their thoughts following LSU’s 19-3 win over Mississippi State. 
LSU offense has to improve over bye week | Kennedi Landry
Following LSU 19-3 win over Mississippi State on Saturday, coach Ed Orgeron was asked maybe four questions about that game. But even as everybody looks forward to a Nov. 3 matchup with No. 1 Alabama, Orgeron and his Tigers need to look back at this game to improve.
The Tigers pulled out a win because of their always above average defense and Cole Tracy consistency, but the offense couldn’t do much of anything until well into the second quarter. The offense consistently failed to execute in the first half, but came together late in the game to seal a win.
There’s no doubt that a 7-1 LSU team at this point in the season has what it takes to compete, but in order to do that the Tigers need to gain more than 240 yards of offense a game. The little mistakes didn’t cost LSU against Mississippi State but they will against Alabama, who finds a way to exploits every mistake a team makes.
The Tigers are in a good place, but they, particularly the offense, have a lot to improve upon through the open date this week, even more so in the red zone.
What to make of Devin White | Glen West
When LSU linebacker and future All-American Devin White was ejected in the fourth quarter, the outcome of the Mississippi State game had already been decided. Fans knew that White wouldn’t be able to participate in the first half of the Tigers matchup with No. 1 Alabama in two weeks, leading to “boos” on every play in the last five minutes.
The White decision can’t be appealed but that hasn’t stopped athletic director Joe Alleva from doing all he possibly can to try and get the ruling overturned. While Alleva likely won’t find any luck, the Tigers must start to carve out a game plan this week in practice knowing that White will likely not be available.
Patrick Queen seems to be the obvious choice to carry much of the heavy lifting in the first half and likely will get first team reps this week. LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda could try Ja’Coby Stevens and even Jacob Phillips in practice as well but Queen seems to be the player who’ll be relied on to step in.
Queen serving as White’s backup has recorded 13 tackles this season.
Defensive dominance | Chris Caldarera
Everyone knew LSU and Mississippi State would be locked in a defensive slugfest when the Bulldogs came to town, but few predicted how the weather would play a factor.
Heavy rain clouds pelted Tiger Stadium early, and neither offense moved the ball through the air consistently. While both teams struggled to score, Mississippi State’s offense was stymied for nearly the entire game.
The Bulldogs pieced together a 73-yard drive in their second possession of the game, but were forced to settle for a field goal after an impressive goal-line stand from LSU’s defense. Those three points would be Mississippi State’s only score for the rest of the game.
Safety Grant Delpit and linebackers Devin White and Jacob Phillips each recorded 10 total tackles each. The Tigers also had a season high in interceptions thanks to two picks from Delpit and one each from linebacker Michael Divinity, Jr. and safety John Battle. LSU also dominated Mississippi State on third downs and held the Bulldogs to a 14 percent conversion rate.
While Alabama’s offense is far superior to Mississippi State’s, the Tigers have to like how well their defense has played in the last two weeks against ranked opponents.
So you’re telling me there’s a chance? | Brandon Adam
LSU’s season is a lot like the scene in “Dumb and Dumber.” Lloyd (Jim Carey) asks what his chances are with Mary (Lauren Holly), and Mary says “one in a million.”
Then comes the famous line “So, you’re telling me there’s a chance?”
In 2018, LSU is Lloyd and everyone else is Mary. No one in their right mind thought LSU would end up 7-1 going into the bye. Why would they? LSU had to play two top-10 teams in the first three weeks, then had a gauntlet in October. The most optimistic of predictions were 5-3 and the craziest were 6-2.
Instead, here we all are. LSU is on a collision course with Alabama for the SEC West title.
LSU hasn’t always played pretty — see games against Southeastern, Louisiana Tech, and Mississippi State. It’s hard to deny, however, LSU has shown up for the biggest games and dominated. They took it to Miami and Georgia, and gritted out a tough, upset win in Jordan-Hare against Auburn.
Everything about Ed Orgeron’s team has been one in a million, but the chances for another upset, and the first win against Alabama since 2011, seem a little bit better than that.