Four Keys to an Ole Miss win over LSU
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss enters Saturday’s game at LSU sitting at 7-0, 3-0 (SEC). The game in Death Valley will be an important test for the Rebels. Here are our four keys to the game.
Pressure Daniels
For the second week in a row, the Rebels will be facing a dual-threat quarterback. On the season, LSU’s Jayden Daniels has thrown for 1,593 yards with 10 touchdowns and just one interception, while completing 70% of his passes.
LSU’s offensive line has given up 22 sacks this season, which is the second most in the SEC. However, Daniels is LSU’s leading rusher with 403 yards. If Ole Miss can take advantage of LSU’s two freshman tackles and put them on their heels — getting to Daniels before he floods the pocket — the Rebels should be in good shape.
Limit Big Plays
Over the past few weeks, tackling has been a bit of a problem for the Ole Miss defense. Tackling well will be important this week against LSU, especially since the Tigers have a quarterback who can make defenders miss.
Last week, Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford and running back Tank Bigsby made some explosive plays on the ground, and that sort of thing needs to be eliminated against the Tigers. Anything that can help keep Death Valley from erupting will be a huge benefit to Ole Miss, so good tackling and limiting big plays will help with that.
Effective Tempo
This season Ole Miss is averaging 74 offensive plays a game. LSU’s two losses have featured their opponents running more than 70 offensive plays.
With that said, an up-tempo offense that doesn’t move the ball and doesn’t have help from its defense by getting off the field on third down won’t do the trick. Being able to wear down the TIgers’ defense, combined with the Rebels imposing their will on them, will be a huge key to a win.
Tunnel Vision
This week Ole Miss will be playing on the road in one of, if not, the loudest stadiums in college football. Tiger Stadium can cause opposing teams to get off their game with the wild environment Death Valley brings.
Staying focused will be critical in the game for Ole Miss. it will be important to stay focused for all four quarters, but even more important early on. Trailing early would be a tough hill to climb in Baton Rouge.
Jump on them from the get-go and don’t let the foot off the gas. The offense will need to come out firing on all cylinders, getting their signals and having good communication up front.
LSU is coming off a road win against Florida and their fans will be ready to watch their team play a top-ten SEC rival at home. Any Ole Miss fan knows, there is nothing better than a quiet Tiger Stadium.
Ole Miss and LSU kick off at 2:30 p.m. and the game will be televised on CBS.
Hotty Toddy!
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
