Predicting the LSU Game Balls: Ole Miss Week
The No. 13 LSU Tigers travel to No. 20 Ole Miss on Saturday for a 5 p.m. CT kickoff in Oxford as the SEC West teams meet up for a rare September matchup.
LSU is coming off a back-and-forth affair against Arkansas that resulted in the Tigers kicking a game-winning field goal in the final seconds. Ole Miss traveled to Alabama a week ago and left with the team’s first loss on the season.
This game is key to the race for the SEC West given LSU has won both SEC games so far, while the Rebels already have an SEC loss on the resume. A second loss for Ole Miss would put the Rebels behind the eight ball when it comes to the battle for a trip to Atlanta given LSU, Alabama and Texas A&M entered the day without a conference loss. There will be plenty of eyes on this one around the SEC.
Who will stand out as LSU’s Most Valuable Players? The Bengal Tiger’s Shea Dixon and Matthew Brune made their picks on offense, defense and special teams.
LSU Offense
Shea’s Pick: Jayden Daniels … Daniels looks the part of one of the best quarterbacks in college football, and he was great in a road win at Mississippi State earlier this month. In the Ole Miss game a year ago, Daniels was 21-for-28 passing for 248 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the team on the ground with 121 yards and three touchdowns. If he can come close to that type of production, LSU should handle business.
Matthew’s Pick: Logan Diggs … Diggs brings some balance to an LSU offense that was in need of a running game beyond the legs of Jayden Daniels. He’s played well since moving into the starting running back role, and if Ole Miss buckles down to stop the pass, Diggs becomes all the more important.
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LSU Defense
Shea’s Pick: Harold Perkins … LSU fans will remember when freshman linebacker Harold Perkins stood over Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart after a key sack a year ago. My key to LSU winning this game is not letting Dart get rolling. Perkins and his ability to disrupt the quarterback will be paramount. I’m riding with Perkins turning in his best game to date this season.
Matthew’s Pick: Mekhi Wingo … Wingo has proven to be LSU best defensive lineman, and he consistently can blow up both run and pass plays. The defensive line will be paramount in Oxford, and Wingo is the cornerstone piece.
Special Teams
Shea’s Pick: Damian Ramos … Ramos has yet to miss a field goal or extra point this season, and he was called on in the final seconds to hit the game-winner a week ago against Arkansas. This game is carrying a spread that’s hovered around three points. If LSU’s going to win, they will likely need a big field goal or two from Ramos.
Matthew’s Pick: Jay Bramblett … Bramblett has been solid this season minus a shanked punt against the Razorbacks. I think he bounces back in this one and flips the field for the Tigers. I’ll predict a pair of Bramblett punts are down inside the 20-yard line.
