Jonathan Mailhes
By Hunt Palmer
LSU and Ole Miss meet as unbeaten for the first time since 1959 on Saturday afternoon.
This bitter rivalry has massive stakes as the winner emerges from September unbeaten with eyes on the playoffs. Ole Miss would be 3-0 in league play. LSU would be a top 5 team entering its first open date.
Las Vegas has called it close all week with a point spread bordering on pick ’em. We asked the crew at 104.5 ESPN for their picks. Here they are.
Jacob Hester, Co-host, Off the Bench: LSU should have success running the football against an Ole Miss rushing defense that ranks dead last in the SEC, allowing 190.5 yards per game – 33 yards worse than 15th place. 24-21, LSU.
Matt Flynn, Co-host, Off the Bench: Trinidad Chambliss is not good enough to take on the LSU defense, period. Blake Baker wins the chess match against Lane Kiffin’s trickery. The Landsharks’ pass defense stinks, and LSU’s running game will do just enough for Nuss to ‘have a day’. 31-13, LSU
Taylor Sharp, Video Producer, Off the Bench: LSU’s offense will come out on fire but slow down in the second half. I think QB Garrett Nussmeier will continue to stretch the field more and more and test this shaky Rebels secondary. As far as the Tigers defense, it’ll be more dominance from Blake Baker’s unit. I think Trinidad Chambliss will be able to run a bit coming out of the gate, but the Tigers will quickly adjust and limit the Ole Miss offense to minimal production. 27-17, LSU
Alondra Villarreal, Audio Producer, Off the Bench: LSU’s offense finds a rhythm, and Ole Miss finally faces a good defense. 27-14, LSU.
Charles Hanagriff, Co-host, Live at Lunch: Tigers a little bit better strong on strong (LSU def vs Ole Miss off) and weak on weak (LSU run game vs Ole Miss run defense). 27-21, LSU
Hunt Palmer, Host, The Hunt Palmer Show: I don’t trust LSU’s running game at all, not even against this Ole Miss defense. I trust Lane Kiffin to create some things for his quarterback. That said, Trinidad Chambliss has literally never played against a good defense in his entire life. He will Saturday. LSU’s offense does just enough, and a mistake or two from Chambliss is the difference. 23-21, LSU.
Jacob Beck, Audio Producer, The Hunt Palmer Show: LSU’s rushing offense vs. Ole Miss’ rushing defense will be a battle of bad on bad. Ole Miss is 120th in Rushing Defense, and the Tigers are 111th in Rushing Offense. What does this mean? Probably that they’ll cancel each other out, with LSU being slightly more successful running the ball but also Ole Miss not being as bad as they’ve been. So, what will be the deciding factor in this game? LSU’s ability to move the ball through the air. Garrett Nussmeier looked better last week just from a pure throwing standpoint regardless of competition. Can he maintain that accuracy and rhythm against an Ole Miss defense that has just four sacks this season? I say yes. 27-23, LSU
Matt Moscona, Host, After Further Review: The home team has won the last five in this series. That will change Saturday. Oddsmakers and the general public still haven’t caught on to just how good this LSU defense is. Trinidad Chambliss has been impressive, but solving this LSU defense will be like moving from entry-level courses to a PhD program in one week. We also saw Ole Miss struggle at Kentucky and allow 500 yards to Arkansas. LSU is better—much better—than Ole Miss. LSU, 31-17
Matthew Musso, Audio Producer, After Further Review: I know the Rebels have really struggled on defense, and everyone would like to see this be a game where LSU’s offense is able to take the next step. I just don’t think all the factors line up for that. For one, can you get a consistent run game going with a hobbled Caden Durham? Can an offensive line that is still struggling with communication find success in their second road game? Plus, against the tempo offense of Ole Miss, time of possession could prove the difference. The Tigers rank 3rd in the SEC in time of possession. Defense travels and it will again. While Blake Baker’s unit has shined all year the second half is where they really strap it up. LSU has not allowed a second half point against Power 4 competition so far this season. It may not be a shutout this week, but that unit will salt the game away again for the win. 24-16, LSU.
Paul O’Neill, Video Producer, After Further Review: Garrett Nussmeier and the LSU offense will put up points against this Ole Miss defense. Trinidad Chambliss has had immediate success for Ole Miss, but he hasn’t faced a defense as good as LSU. The Tigers defense will make the plays needed to secure the victory for the Tigers. 31-27, LSU
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