NCAA Football SEC Game of the Week: Ole Miss at LSU

The SEC game of the week is #3 Ole Miss traveling to Louisiana to face the #24 LSU Tigers. In a game in which has significant meaning, there will be a few things to look for in this game. How will Ole Miss respond now that they are the targets in games? Will LSU be able to knock off Ole Miss and slow down their offense?

WHAT TO WATCH:

LSU:  LSU has a record of 5-2, losing to #1 Mississippi St. and #5 Auburn. LSU lost to Mississippi St. 34-29, in a game that Mississippi St. gained national attention. If it weren't for these two losses, LSU would easily be a top 5 team. One thing that LSU possesses is the ability to score. This season, the LSU Tigers has scored at least 28 points in all but ONE game. Look for the LSU to really try to put up points against the Rebels, especially since they have the home field advantage. The Tigers rank 30th in rushing, yet they are 98th in passing. The rushing attack is led by a two headed monster (Leonard Fournette and Kenny Hillard). Fournette and Hillard have combined to score 13 TD's and almost 900 yards. If they want to defeat the Rebels, they MUST make sure that they get the running game going. Ole Miss is simply absolutely NOTHING to mess around with on defense. Ole Miss only gives up an average of 10 points a game! That is not alot compared to the 35 points that the Tigers average per game.



          In order for LSU  to be successful, they must find unconventional ways to move the ball up and down the field. LSU does have two quarterbacks (Sophomore Anthony Jennings and Freshman Brandon Harris) that have the ability to run and throw the ball. Look for a number of quarterback draws and options. Both of these quarterbacks have over a 50% completion rate. They will have to be on their A-games to give LSU a chance.

Ole Miss:  After coming off yet another sound win against Tennessee, Ole Miss seems to be on a roll like no other team. With a defense that ranks 1st in points against, and a offense that averages 282 passing yards a game, it's no wonder why they are ranked #3.
               

                  The offense begins and ends with quarterback Bo Wallace. Wallace has been able to throw for 1899 yards and 17TDs. Wallace been able to give throw to many targets such as Laquon Treadwell, and Vince Sanders, and Cody Core. All three of these receivers have 4 touchdowns. In order to win, Ole Miss must make sure that they are being able to move the ball with their passing game. Look for Ole Miss to try and run the ball. The running game is led by back Jaylen Walton. Walton has been able to rush for nearly 400 yards and 4TD's.  If Ole Miss can rush the ball, they will be dynamic and tough to stop.

             
                 While their offense may be very solid, their defense has been the key to their success. The most points they have allowed this season is 20. In addition, they gave 20 points to a Texas A&M team that averages 364 passing yards per game. The defense has been able to take on team after team, and take away their strengths.
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X-FACTOR

LSU: Anthony Jennings
 If LSU wants to have a chance to win, they MUST have good quarterback play. They will need to have a balanced attack if they want to keep the game close. LSU starter Anthony Jennings will have to play well, getting the ball out quickly and making the accurate throws. He will not have to do it alone. He will have the rushing attack behind him, and he will have the help of quarterback Brandon Harris. Since Jennings is the quarterback on the field for majority of the time, he will determine how much the ball moves.

Ole Miss: The Defense
In this game, it will be very important for the defense to make an impact early. It will be a night, nationally televised game. Louisiana State will be hosting the number 3 team in the country AT HOME. Look for LSU to feed off of the crowd, especially on their first offensive possession. If Ole Miss is able to for LSU to become one dimensional, they can psychologically take the crowd out of the game.



PREDICTION:
Ole Miss: 24-21

NCAA Football: The State of Mississippi (Hometown Heroes)

"King City" is a phrase used to describe an area where Mississippian artist "Big K.R.I.T " is from. That phrase should be changed to King State based off of the way Mississippi's major college football programs are playing right now. In a short span of 5 weeks, both Ole Miss and Mississippi State are BOTH top 5 teams.

Road to the Top:

Ole Miss:
    Entering into week 6, Ole Miss was 5-0, facing the number 1 Alabama Crimson Tide.  Alabama has the won the championship three times out of the past six years. Basically , Alabama has been the ULTIMATE POWERHOUSE of football for the 2010's thus far. Ole Miss on the other hand , has had a losing record two out of the last four seasons. This year, Ole Miss hosted Alabama on their home field: and they would take full advantage. After being down the first three quarters, Ole Miss scored the last 13 points of the game to defeat Alabama 23-17. A win of this magnitude has never been done, as Alabama was the first #1 ranked team that Ole Miss have ever beaten. This week , Ole Miss is the 3rd ranked team in the country.

Mississippi St.:
    The Mississippi St. Bulldogs could not have imagined a better start to their season. Led by Heisman hopeful Dak Presscott, the Bulldogs have managed to beat LSU at their house, and a great offense in Texas A&M. In the past two games, the offense has averaged 32.5 points per game. Mississippi St. has finally put everything together to form a great overall team.
Usually , Mississippi St. has one side of the field (offense or defense) that is solid, yet the opposite side of the field would not be on the same level. Therefore, once they were forced to play a well balanced team, they would falter in defeat more times than not. Mississippi is now the number 3 as well in the AP Top 25 Poll.

History of the State:

 
    Although both Ole Miss and Mississippi St. have been playing in the very competitive conference (SEC), the state of Mississippi has NOT had a NCAA champion since 1962(Ole Miss). Mississippi St. has never won a championship. Whether you are fan of either one of these schools or not, it's hard not to admire the fact that these two teams are on a roll. Combined , these two teams have beaten the following teams this year: Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M. With these two schools currently undefeated, they are both in a great position to reach the college playoffs; and win! But the question is: Will they?

Can they sustain this run? 

Ole Miss:
    While both they teams are currently in a great position, they still face many other great teams. Ole Miss will travel to an angry Texas A&M team next week. This season, Ole Miss will still have to face LSU (at LSU), Auburn, and their arch rival: Mississippi St. These three games are all potentially make or break games for Ole Miss, since these teams will be in contention for a spot in the college football playoffs.  This will not be an easy task, but if Ole Miss can beat Alabama, why couldn't they beat anyone else?

Mississippi St.:
    Coming off of back-to-back wins against top SEC foes, Mississippi St. will look to move forward as they face undefeated Auburn in what will be a primetime game this Saturday night. If Mississippi State can defeat Auburn, they will have a good chance at possibly finishing the regular season undefeated. Of course, they still have to get by Ole Miss. However, they have been through the toughest part of their season. Look for them to make a run.

After many years of college football pain, the state of Mississippi has not one, but TWO college teams they can be proud of.



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SEC Triple Threat: Alabama at Ole Miss

Here is a quick video of the 2011 contest between Ole Miss-Alabama. This game is my OFFICIAL UPSET game of the week.