Big games are nothing new for LSU football, and the Tigers will play in another one in Week 8. The final unbeaten club in the SEC West, seventh-ranked Ole Miss, will visit the Tigers on Saturday afternoon for a pivotal matchup. Making some daring predictions for this LSU football game makes sense given its significance in the SEC battle.
LSU’s first season under Brian Kelly has been up-and-down. The Tigers went on a four-game winning streak to move up into the AP Top 25 after losing to Florida State in New Orleans to start the season. Their winning streak was broken by a humiliating loss to Tennessee, but they rebounded last Saturday with a victory away to Florida.
Although Ole Miss boasts a perfect record, it hasn’t always been simple. Most recently, the Rebels won at home against Auburn 48-34, but they also gave up over 300 rushing yards against a squad that has had a difficult season. The Rebels will have to tighten up if they want to keep their spotless record because of a difficult schedule to finish the season.
The Tigers are no longer in contention for the College Football Playoff, but they are still very much in the battle for the SEC title. Additionally, they would love to ruin their rival’s undefeated season. Having said that, let’s make some daring LSU predictions for the college football matchup on Saturday.
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3. Jayden Daniels throws and runs for a touchdown
Daniels, a transfer from Arizona State, has had a quietly excellent season in his first year at LSU. He has completed 69.2% of his throws for 1,64 yards and 10 touchdowns through seven games. He has also rushed for 403 yards and six touchdowns. He has also played the ball very safely, making just one interception this season compared to 10 in 2021.
Daniels easily played the best game of his Tiger career in the victory over Florida. Six touchdowns, three via the air and three on the ground, totaled 393 yards and were scored by the senior. The potential for Daniels and LSU is limitless if he can continue to play at that calibre.
This season, Ole Miss’ defence has been in the middle of the pack. The Rebels are sixth overall, seventh in rushing defence, and ninth in passing defence in the SEC. They have excelled in scoring defence, ranking third in the league with 17.3 points allowed per game.
The biggest test for Daniels and the LSU offence will come from Ole Miss’ defence. Although his numbers might not be quite as impressive as they were in his previous game, he should still be useful. Expect at least two goals from him—one in the air and one on the ground.
2. The Tigers allow less than 200 rushing yards
This season, the Rebels’ offensive has revolved around their rushing attack. Third-most in the nation, Ole Miss averages an astounding 271.4 rushing yards per game. Last week, the Rebels’ running attack destroyed Auburn, rushing for 448 yards and three touchdowns.
Zach Evans and Quinshon Judkins, a team of two running backs, have been the most effective this season, combining for 1,325 yards and 17 touchdowns. With 371 yards on the season, quarterback Jaxson Dart has also been a reliable runner. No one has yet been able to slow down any of the three players, who are all averaging at least 5.9 yards per run.
LSU’s run defence, which allows 145.6 yards per game, ranks sixth in the SEC. In recent games, the Tigers have had trouble stopping the run, giving up 263 yards to Tennessee and 199 to Florida. Only twice this year, against Mississippi State and New Mexico, have they given up less than 100 rushing yards.
The defence for LSU must find a method to stifle Ole Miss’ running game if they are to win this game. On Saturday, the Tigers will have the advantage of playing at home, and the Death Valley crowd can undoubtedly make a difference.
1. LSU ends Ole Miss’ undefeated season
One of the hardest stadiums to play in in the nation, if not the worst, is Tiger Stadium. High-ranked teams have frequently entered Death Valley with big expectations only to have those ambitions shattered. It seems likely that LSU will pull off another legendary upset in this game.
Additionally, a similar situation has occurred in the past. When No. 3 Ole Miss arrived at Tiger Stadium in 2014 to play LSU, the Tigers appeared to be having a bad year. The Tigers stunned the Rebels 10-7, handing them their first defeat of the year.
This might be deja vu for the Rebels because history has a knack of repeating itself. If enough things go the Tigers’ way, they might secure another enormous victory and significantly hurt Ole Miss’ chances of making the College Football Playoffs.
LSU football: 3 audacious Tigers predictions for Ole Miss matchup in SEC showdown first appeared on ClutchPoints.
