Mississippi State hasn’t defeated LSU since 1999, but this year I believe the Bulldogs will pull off the upset on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.
Both teams are 3-0 this season and this may be the most talented front-seven on defense I have ever seen at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents in their three wins 131-37.
Mississippi State has the decided edge at the quarterback slot because they are led by one of the top all-purpose quarterbacks in the nation in Louisiana-bred Dak Prescott.
Prescott verbally committed early to Mississippi State during the recruiting process, but late in the signing period the Tigers offered him a scholarship. His mother, who passed away from cancer last season, insisted he keep his word and attend Mississippi State.
At the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux this summer, Prescott was one of the most impressive quarterbacks on the campus due to his strong arm, quick release and his speed as a runner.
The Bulldogs also have one of the SEC’s top running backs in Josh Robinson and MSU is averaging 5.3 yards per carry and 260.3 yards per game on the ground.
The Tiger defensive line, led by defensive end Danielle Hunter and defensive tackle Christian LaCouture, will have their hands full containing a very effective Bulldog rushing attack.
And if there is a major question mark about LSU defensively, it is their ability to stop the run when teams hammer away inside.
The Tigers really struggled to stop the run in the season-opener against Wisconsin and I expect the Bulldogs to run the ball right up the middle on the Tigers.
But it will really be worth the price of admission to watch one of the SEC’s top gunslingers go up against arguably the most talented and deepest secondary I have ever seen at LSU.That top secondary group is a major reason why the Tigers have outscored opponents 115-24 in the first three games.
It doesn’t seem to matter who is lined up in the Tigers secondary, they make plays over and over again.
Jalen Mills, Jalen Collins, Tre’Davious White, Rashard Robinson, Dwayne Thomas, Corey Thompson, Ed Paris, Jamal Adams and former Destrehan High School standout Rickey Jefferson have formed the best secondary in college football.We all know Les Miles wants to run the football and he has a stable of really good backs in Kenny Hilliard, Leonard Fournette, Darrel Williams and Terrence Magee, but they are going up against one of college football’s best front-seven at Mississippi State.
The Bulldog defense has given up just 80.3 yards rushing per game and only 2.3 yards per rush.
It’s early, but this is a huge test for LSU and I really believe this is Mississippi State’s best shot in a while to knock off the Tigers.
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