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By B.J. Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor B.J. Bennett previews the Southern Pigskin game of the week, LSU at Ole Miss. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.
Game: LSU at Ole Miss
Why to Watch - SEC West championship implications won't be on the line, but this may be the game of the week in college football. These two teams are a combined 15-5, with three of those losses coming against the top two teams in college football. Needless to say, both of these teams are very talented and capable. Ole Miss is coming off of their best performance of the season, a 42-17 thrashing of Tennessee. Though this game might not have the significance some thought it would have back in the pre-season, New Years' Day bowl slotting will be at stake as both of these programs push towards possible ten win campaigns.
Overview - In terms of momentum, the Rebels have a considerable advantage. Though LSU has just two losses, Florida and Alabama, they had perhaps their worst effort of the season last week in a one possession win over Louisiana Tech. Veteran running back Charles Scott, the Tigers' workhorse, will miss this game due to injury. Starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson is hobbled as well. Ole Miss, on the contrary, has to feel better about themselves after dominating Tennessee one week ago. In that victory, hybrid athlete Dexter McCluser rushed for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns. While the Rebels may be the hot team, the Tigers have the better resume to date and have found ways to win football games under Les Miles.
Keys for LSU
1. Slow Down Dexter McCluster - Against a fierce Tennessee defense, McCluster rushed for a school record 282 yards and four touchdowns a week ago. He was absolutely unstoppable, shedding arm tackles and juking defenders in the open field. The LSU front seven cannot allow him to get to the second level and must play active but maintain their gap assignments against Ole Miss. A consistent push from the defensive tackle positions would limit McCluster's head of steam running into the line of scrimmage. The pressure will be on the Tiger interior linemen to be disruptive. The linebackers must do what they are put on scholarship to do; make sound, firm tackles. McCluster is a slippery runner who can elude defenders in the smallest of spaces. To offset that, LSU must gang tackle and never assume the Rebel star is on his way down. The same premise applies when McCluster is a pass receiver. The Ole Miss passing game feeds off of his ability to run after the catch. Taking those opportunities away takes this offense out of rhythm.
2. Avoid Critical Mistakes - Part of the reason LSU has been so successful under Les Miles' watch is because the Tigers have taken tremendous care of the football. LSU led the SEC in turnover margin in their national championship season of 2007 and ranks third in the league this season. They have lost a league-low eight turnovers. No other conference team is in single digits in that category. If the Tigers can continue that trend, that will at the very least keep them in the football game. Ole Miss stands at (-0.8) in the turnover category and they have lost 22 turnovers on the year. Only Mississippi State has lost more in the SEC. LSU has been able to win games, even when their offense isn’t moving the football, because they haven't made the crucial mistake that has swung momentum and put their defensive at a major disadvantage. The Tigers must maintain that efficiency, especially on the road. On the defensive side of the football, LSU needs to be opportunistic and try to force Snead and the Rebels into poor decisions.
3. Get off to a Fast Start - The benefits here are obvious. As a banged up team, coming off of a poor performance, playing a hot opponent on the road, confidence will be key. A good opening quarter will erase any doubt that may be in the minds of the Tiger players and would help curb some of the enthusiasm of the Ole Miss players and home crowd. From an Xs and Os perspective, an early LSU lead would force the Rebels into a more pass-friendly offensive scheme. This puts pressure on quarterback Jevan Snead, who is struggling, and limits the rushing opportunities for Dexter McCluster. Forcing Ole Miss into a one-dimensional attack would also help a Tiger pass rush that has had trouble getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. If the Rebels are forced to pass, defensive coordinator John Chavis can dial up some timely blitzes and the LSU defensive linemen can pin their ears back and rush.
Keys for Ole Miss
1. Get Snead Going - Junior Jevan Snead remains one of the most talented signal callers in the SEC. But his productivity has slipped some from a year ago and Snead hasn't looked comfortable at times this season. He has thrown 17 touchdowns but a league-high 14 interceptions. Ole Miss needs him to be more efficient. And Snead is certainly capable. Simple, short completions might help build his confidence and help him get into the rhythm needed to make big plays downfield. With LSU focusing on Dexter McCluster and the running game, there may be opportunities for Snead to find single coverage on the perimeter. Short, three step drops and dump offs to the tight ends and backs could help Snead settle in early. If Snead can find himself, the LSU defense will be chasing and reacting all afternoon.
2. Get McCluster as Many Touches as Possible - It may seem obvious after he unleashed one of the best single game performances in SEC history, but McCluster needs as many opportunities as the coaches can get him. He will be the focus at tailback, but he shouldn't be forgotten about in the passing game. Getting the ball in his hands could help get Snead into an aforementioned groove and would also present McCluster with one-on-one chances against LSU defenders. Those type situations have big play written all over them. Whether it's via traditional run plays, the "Wild Rebel", screens, wheel routes or hitches or slants, McCluster needs the football in his hands.
3. Bring the Pressure - The LSU offense is reeling somewhat, has an injured quarterback and is without their top offensive playmaker in running back Charles Scott. The Ole Miss defense must be the aggressor. Even without All-SEC defensive end Greg Hardy, the Rebels are still capable of bringing the heat on opposing defenses. Though the Tigers do have very talented receivers, the LSU offense has found success with more short-to-intermediate passing routes this season. Ole Miss needs to stack the box, bring timely blitzes and force the Tigers to beat them over the top. LSU isn't traditionally overly-aggressive on offense. The Rebels must take their comfort zone away and force them into adjustments. The Tiger offensive line has allowed 27 sacks this season.
Position Advantages
Quarterback; Ole Miss - Though Snead isn't having a banner season, he remains an extremely talented signal caller and a likely future high draft pick. Jordan Jefferson has done a very underrated, consistent job this year as a true sophomore for the Tigers, but is still banged up a bit. His lingering injury may slow him down a bit.
Running back; Ole Miss - Considering what Dexter McCluster just did, against the UT Volunteers mind you, you just can't go against him. Brandon Bolden is another talented runner for the Rebels. LSU does have good tailback depth with Keiland Williams, but will miss bruiser Charles Scott.
Wide receiver; LSU - If we count McCluster as a true running back, the Tigers get the slight edge here. Brandon LaFell and Terreance Toliver have combined for 85 catches this year. Shay Hodge is having an All-SEC caliber season for Ole Miss.
Offensive line; Ole Miss - The Tigers have struggled protecting the passer in 2009. Only South Carolina has allowed more sacks in the SEC. Ole Miss has done a good job protecting Jevan Snead and has opened up huge rushing lanes for Dexter McCluster and company.
Defensive line; LSU - Without Greg Hardy, the Tigers get a slight edge. Minus Hardy's production, the sack totals are very close. LSU's run defense has been almost a half-yard better this season and has allowed just three rushing touchdowns.
Linebackers; LSU - Again, the run defense numbers are telling. Kelvin Sheppard is having a stellar season for the Tigers this season and Perry Riley and Harry Coleman are reliable veterans. Ole Miss' top two tacklers are defensive backs.
Secondary; Ole Miss - A very close call, but the Rebels have the SEC's third best pass defense rating after unbeaten Florida and Alabama. Kendrick Lewis for Ole Miss and Chad Jones for LSU are All-American caliber safeties.
Special Teams; Ole Miss - Kickers Joshua Shene for the Rebels and Josh Jasper for the Tigers are both very good, as are the return men. Jesse Gandy has two touchdown returns via kickoff for Ole Miss and Trindon Holliday leads the SEC in punt return average for LSU. Tyler Campbell is having a fantastic freshman season at punter for Houston Nutt. Ole Miss has three blocks on the year.
Coaching; LSU - Both Les Miles and Houston Nutt are great head coaches with good assistants, but Miles has a national title on his resume. He gets the slight edge.
Intangibles; Ole Miss - The Rebels are fresh off of a tremendous effort, are playing at home and are facing an LSU team who needed a strong fourth quarter to beat Louisiana Tech last week.
Players to Watch
LSU; Keiland Williams, RB - A very capable tailback, he is averaging 5.6 yards per carry this season and has 17 career rushing touchdowns. He had 116 yards and two touchdowns last weekend and has the talent to carry this offense in replace of Charles Scott.
Ole Miss; Dexter McCluster, WR/RB - Any time a guy rushes for over 280 yards and four touchdowns, he then becomes the player to watch the following week. McCluster is this year's Percy Harvin in the SEC and can change a game at any time.
Predictions
Rodney Atkins, Country Music Star – LSU
B.J. Bennett, Senior Editor – Ole Miss
J.T. Bennett, Staff Writer – LSU
Charlie K., National Columnist – Ole Miss
Kevin Thomas, Staff Writer – Ole Miss
Brian Turner, Columnist – Ole Miss
.....
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