THE Mississippi State vs. LSU Game Preview
For the first time in 15 years the Mississippi State Bulldogs will be defending their bragging rights over the LSU Tigers. That game in 2000 was an instant classic, going into overtime as LSU won 45-38. This game promises more of the same as both teams enter the game ranked. It’s the first game of the year in the incredible SEC West: #14 LSU vs. #25 Mississippi State.
Les Miles has pretty much owned the Bulldogs with a 9-1 record, but Dan Mullen has made the series a lot closer than it used to be. Miles’ went from beating State by an average margin of almost 29 points per game from 2005-2008 to slimming it down to under 19 from 2009-2014. That’s still a lot, but Mullen
nearly
should’ve won the 2009 game and did win in 2014…and there have been some other close games like 2011 and in some respects, 2012.
LSU Offense vs. MSU Defense
Nothing more could possibly be said about how Brandon Harris needed to get reps in the opener against McNeese State. He didn’t – we got that. His only other career start coming into this game was a 41-7 thrashing at Auburn last year. But he was a true freshman then; now he is LSU’s unquestioned starting QB.
As much as Manny Diaz does not know exactly what to expect from Harris and offensive coordinator Cam Camerson, they could pretty much say the same thing about Diaz. As we all know, he ran just a base zone defense against USM – giving the Tigers nothing really to look for. What types of blitz packages will he run – will he play the receivers at the line of scrimmage? Conversely, will LSU stick with their typical ground and pound style or try to air it out against a questionable secondary?
Key: Containing Leonard Fornette. Every one knows he’s a great player – how many Bulldog defenders will it take to keep him from breaking big plays or marching up and down the field on five to ten yard gains every carry? If the safeties, and WLB can stay in coverage and MSU can still limit Fornette, they’ll be in good shape….one would think. If Harris proves to be a quality passer to their usual big talent at WR, the Tigers will undoubtedly be tough to stop.
MSU Offense vs. LSU Defense
The Dawgs dominated LSU last year with Dak Prescott and Josh Robinson running wild. The Tigers will surely be more prepared on the defensive line, and the show State’s OL put on last year will probably not happen again. There will be no surprises. But – State has to be able to run the football to be successful. You simply cannot allow LSU to have four or five defensive backs on the field to blanket your receiving corps or you’re in trouble.
Prescott’s rhythm seems to be largely in tune with his ability to run with the football. That’s moving around in the pocket, moving outside the pocket, read options and designed quarterback runs. When he gets his legs going, good things seem to happen. Ever since he got nicked up in the 2014 Kentucky game, he’s stayed in the pocket more and while his passing yardage has improved, INTs and Bulldog wins have taken a turn for the worse. If MSU is going to be successful is this game, look for Dak to be the leading rusher.
Key: Running to set up the pass. LSU’s defense is always ultra-talented so it’s hard to do anything. I will trade John Chavis for Kevin Steele any day, however, and that’s what has happened at Defensive Coordinator. If State can mix some things up to get the running game going by virtue of Prescott, Holloway, Shumpert and more; get the OL comfortable and start hitting some passes that are opened up because of it, MSU should be able to get back the style they were as the #1 offense in the SEC a year ago.
Get Ready
It’s a huge weekend in Starkville. MSU now holds the Word Record of CLANGA, Bulldog Bash is Friday night, and a rowdy crowd will be on hand Saturday night at DWS. A win in this game could do the same for MSU as beating LSU did last year – propel them into the top 15 and set up a run at the SEC West. It oughtta be plenty of fun! Hail State.