Mississippi State vs. LSU Game Preview
Sep 13, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers marching band drum major Mary Bahlinger leads the band on the field prior to the game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mississippi State heads to Baton Rouge this week to face the LSU Tigers. The game will be televised in front of a national television audience via ESPN at 6:00. This is it, don’t get scared now.
#8 LSU (3-0) vs. Mississippi State (3-0). It will be the first SEC game for each team. Let’s dig into the matchup…
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Here’s how teams match up statistically:
MSU run offense: 260.33 YPG (22nd) vs. LSU run defense: 111.33 YPG (31st) vs.
MSU pass offense: 266.3 YPG (48th) vs. LSU pass defense: 94.3 YPG (3rd)
LSU run offense: 226.33 YPG (37th) vs. MSU run defense: 80.33 YPG (11th)
LSU pass offense: 214 YPG (91st) vs. MSU pass defense: 311.7 YPG (118th)
The matchup of the game is LSU’s big, nasty offensive line which may be the best in the SEC, vs. MSU’s big, nasty defensive line which may be the best in the SEC. Let’s take a closer look.
LSU’s O-line:
- LT – La’el Collins: 6′-5″, 301
- LG – Vadel Alexander: 6′-6, 342
- C – Elliot Porter: 6′-4″, 300
- RG – Hoko Fanaikia: 6′-6″, 330
- RT – Jerald Hawkins: 6′-6″, 309
MSU’s D-line:
- DE – Preston Smith: 6′-6″, 267
- DT – Chris Jones: 6′-5″, 300
- DT – P.J. Jones: 6′-3″, 296
- DE – Ryan Brown: 6′-6″, 260
MSU has tallied 11 sacks this year which is 8th best in the country. LSU has allowed six which is 80th. As seen above MSU’s run defense looks better statistically than LSU’s run offense. That has to be taken with a grain of salt due to the competition, but nevertheless State’s D-line should be up to the challenge.
LSU’s OL didn’t look that great in the ULM game. In fact, they failed to gain a yard rushing on their first four attempts. The Center stepped on the QBs foot, they had a holding call and allowed a sack. Most likely they’ll get it together for SEC play, and if so they are easily one of the most talented units in the league.
The Tigers have run the ball 73% of the time, that’s more than all but six teams in FBS play. I’ve watched the film on Jennings and he can make some throws, but rest assured pounding the football is where Les Miles’ bread is buttered. This year perhaps more than others.
Preston Smith has won SEC defensive lineman of the week all three times out this year. He’s proved it against LSU as well with 7 TKL, 3 TFL and 2 sacks last year vs. the Tigers in 2013. Will he command a double-team?
We need some more of this from Chris Jones…
Let the big Dawg eat!
MSU’s secondary needs all the help they can get. You saw the 118th ranking they currently have – and that was against lesser competition….and that was with South Alabama missing on some open receivers. Anthony Jennings has the ability to hit some throws. He isn’t at the consistent level Mettenburger was last year, but he did prove it on occasion vs. Wisconsin. LSU doesn’t have Odell Beckham or Jarvis Landry either, but Travin Doral is a dynamic WR who already has 370 yards this year.
Offensively MSU needs to pound the football. Dak Prescott and Josh Robinson are both Louisiana natives and should be highly motivated in this one. They are also MSU’s two best play-makers on offense.
Dan Mullen called LSU’s defense one of the best he’s ever seen them have. I’m not buying that. They can be beat. With all the talent they lost there is plenty of inexperience across the board for John Chavis to deal with. This being just the fourth game of the year can MSU expose their weaknesses?
I’m not exactly buying the 3rd ranked pass defense as of yet. Wisconsin did most of their damage on the ground running the ball 62% of the time. They were also inept through the air going only 8 of 24 (33%) and threw a pair of interceptions. Then in the other two games LSU physically out-matched their opponent to the point they had no chance.
The Bulldogs should be able to move the ball in this game and put up enough points to win. The key will be taking care of the football – that has cost MSU dearly in the last two games in Baton Rouge.
Sep 6, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles during the second half of a game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Sam Houston 56-0. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
For State to be successful in this game, special teams do not need to be heard from. Seriously.
Devon Bell needs to boot all kickoffs through the endzone, and gets some good solid hang time on his punts. The return game has been a strength at LSU for as long as I can remember – they have athletes that can just make it happen. We need to limit any cheap yardage (and points) from special teams.
LSU will have a decided advantage in field goal kicking. Cobly Delahoussaye has put 3 of 3 through the uprights including a 47 yarder. MSU is one of only five teams in FBS play to not make a field goal yet. If Mullen even attempted one I would be surprised unless it’s just a glorified extra point.
LSU has been tested, MSU has not. I don’t know that there’s an advantage either way on that, but LSU does have the knowledge they can come from behind.
Against Wisconsin they were down 24-7 in the 3rd quarter. With no momentum and forced to punt at mid-field Les Miles chose to fake a punt and it turned the game around. The Tigers scored 21 unanswered points to win 28-24. They’ve now found themselves in the top 10 and poised for SEC play.
LSU really struggled on 3rd down early in that game. They started 2 of 12 on the money down, but finished 4 of 5, hence the comeback. MSU’s psycho defense will really have to step up their game and get off the field on 3rd down. So far this year State is only allowing 28% with is 20th best in the country.
This has all the makings of a great game. Obviously the past has not been kind against LSU but at some point the streak has to end. Kentucky took an over-matched team into the Swamp and nearly pulled the upset last week – State can win this game. It should be fun! Hail State.