There's a trap game brewing in Oxford, is LSU built to last?
Sept. 27: LSU at Ole Miss on ABC
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OXFORD â One program chasing validation, the other trying to regain the SEC crown. Saturday in Oxford is about much more than bragging rights. Itâs about shaping the conference race. And in the SEC, that means setting the tone in the early stages of the playoff picture, too.
LSU and Ole Miss have been squaring off since 1894. Yes, this rivalry has had its share of duds. But when both teams are good, this game is must-watch, primo college football.
Lane Kiffinâs Rebels have a chance to level up their story, while Brian Kellyâs Tigers aim to prove theyâre built for Atlanta. Winner keeps the SEC title dreams alive.
This is one of those years when the stakes urgency is high and the SEC stakes are rising fast.
Ole Miss wants to join the SECâs top-shelf teams. LSU wants to prove theyâre still in that dominant bunch. Somethingâs got to give, and Saturdayâs clash will define the path forward in the SEC.
Ole Miss fans, youâve seen Coach Kiffin build momentum, navigate injuries (notably Austin Simmonsâ ankle), and survive with backups like Trinidad Chambliss stepping in with poise.
In his two starts, Chambliss produced 660 pass yards, 174 rush yards, and five total TDs. In his press availability this week, Kiffin confirms heâs comfortable starting either QB, depending on the readiness of Simmonsâ leg.
âWeâll have to evaluate (Simmonsâ) health and then make a decision,â Kiffin said. âAt 100% he was our starting quarterback. But we donât know what percentage heâll be.â
Ole Miss knows this is their chance to take down LSU in Oxford and build a resume that pushes them toward the top of the SEC. The sting of past losses to LSU, the weight of history, those are fuel for the fire. Win here, and the Rebels solidify their âcontenderâ status.
LSU fans, youâve learned patience. The Brian Kelly era is still evolving. The growing pains linger, but expectations are high.
This LSU defense is one of the countryâs most feared units, one that can make or break big games.
Kellyâs squad no doubt understands that against Ole Miss, LSU canât simply outperform. This yearâs Ole Miss matchup calls for LSU to out-coach and out-execute Kiffin in every phase.
Keys for Ole Miss
Exploit QB depth. LSU is already forced to prepare for both Simmons and Chambliss. Now make it worse. Plan packages for both QBs. This not only lowers the exposure reps for Simmons, but it stresses LSUâs defense with the change of pace when Chambliss is in the game.
Protect the QB(s). Simmons has been banged up. Keep him upright. Chambliss shows flashes of rhythm and the ability to throw receivers open. The key is consistency, and he needs protection to settle in. LSUâs defense will no doubt test the blindside and pressure on third downs, looking to rattle either recovering QB1 Simmons or the less experienced Chambliss.
Win the turnover battle. LSU takes pride in forcing mistakes. If Ole Miss walks away clean (no interceptions, no fumbles), theyâll give themselves a chance. Being the team to force turnovers would be a huge break for Ole Miss.
Pressure and disguise on defense. LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier is still playing through his abdominal injury from fall camp, but is steadily returning to top form. LSUâs offense will test you, so Ole Miss will need to crowd the line and make the game as one-dimensional as possible. Delayed blitzes or disguised coverages could force Nussmeier into throws that are uncomfortable for his lingering core injury.
Keys for LSU
Dominate the trenches. O-Line must protect Nussmeier in light of his ab injury. D-Line can put LSU in control by keeping the LBs clean and running to the ball. For either team, getting to the QB could dramatically tilt this one. If LSU can force third-and-medium and Ole Miss canât convert, it could be LSU all day.
Misdirection and mixed tempo. The more LSU stresses the Old Miss defense pre-snap, the more manageable itâll be to protect Nussmeier. The standard coaching tactics call for multiple formations, motion, and changes in tempo as ways to force Ole Miss to reveal coverages and stunts before the snap.
Limit explosive plays. Faced with LSUâs imposing defense, Ole Miss will likely test deep coverage on first down and second-and-short. Mixing disguised coverages with blitz packages can disrupt Ole Miss vertical throws. LSU canât let a single big play flip momentum. Keep everything in front and bend but donât break. Creating opportunities for mistakes by Ole Miss is critical.
Manage in-game adversity. A penalty, a missed assignment, a big third-down conversion. These things happen in the course of a game. LSU opens with a chance to be the more composed team, waiting for Ole Miss to flinch.
The bottom line
This isnât just for pride or bragging rights. Not with the stakes this year for both sides.
Ole Miss could keep pace in the early SEC race.
For LSU, a win affirms the trajectory.
Goals of returning to the form that brought the 2019 natty.
Nussmeierâs decision to forgo the NFL Draft to lead the Tigers for another year.
Legitimizing the storied potential of the LSU defense with real results.
Like all Power-4 conferences since the 2024 expansion, the SEC is a crowded landscape. In this bizarre twist of 12-team playoff realities, 2024 Ohio State showed us itâs more possible for a two-loss team to win a national championship than a conference title.
For both teams, this yearâs Magnolia Bowl rivalry is about all of college footballâs biggest prizes.
Win, and you keep pace in the chase. Lose, and the margin for error evaporates.
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