No drama in this breakdown.
We’re finally to the portion of the week where Xs and Os, Jimmies and Joes can be the focus.
There are a lot of them between these two teams. This rivalry has produced some serious fireworks over the years, and this should be no different. The coaching staffs are both good. They’ve both got a big win under their belt, and the winner of this game sits in a very favorable position to fight for the College Football Playoff.
The loser will have to lick their wounds quickly as another stern SEC test awaits on the other side.
Here are three matchups I’m paying close attention to.
WHIT WEEKS, TJ DOTTERY VS. KEWAN LACY
Dottery’s status for the game is “questionable” as of Wednesday night, but I’d expect him to be out there. If he’s not, linebackers should be the correct label. LSU has to limit the explosive runs from Lacy. They’re momentum creators that can change field position or the scoreboard.
KEWAN LACY IS ELITE
KEWAN LACY IS ELITE
KEWAN LACY IS ELITE pic.twitter.com/n0BQ8qzHkt— Everything Ole Miss (@EverythingRebs) November 2, 2025
Lacy has forced 10 missed tackles in 30 carries this year, resulting in 108 yards after contact. It should be noted that only two of those missed tackles were against Louisville. The other eight came against an outmanned Charlotte team. Still, Lacy proved a season ago he’s the real deal.
Dottery and Weeks have only missed one tackle each through two weeks. LSU’s run defense has been outstanding. The Tigers have allowed less than one yard per carry and just 36 total rushing yards which is second in the country.
If the Tigers’ front can hold up against a veteran center and guard trio, that will put a lot of pressure on Ole Miss’ passing game.
DJ PICKETT, PJ WOODLAND VS. DEUCE ALEXANDER
Louisville had no answer for Alexander’s speed when they met in Nashville. The Rebels’ wide out made two 62-yard touchdown catches essentially only because of his speed. He beat the safety to the sideline once and just blew by a corner in man-to-man coverage on a go route on the other.
Top 10 Fastest Max Speed | Week 1
1| 22.3 MPH Deuce Alexander @Deuceisloose3 WR Ole Miss Football#ReelSpeed pic.twitter.com/o3ME0KCdnN
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) September 7, 2026
Alexander is clearly Ole Miss’s most explosive receiver. De’Zhaun Stribling’s been projected the 33rd pick in the NFL draft, and former player Harrison Wallace is with the Arizona Cardinals, Cayden Lee is now at Missouri, and Winston Watkins will be in purple and gold. There isn’t as much talent in this unit as last year’s.
If Pickett and Woodland can stick with Alexander, Chambliss doesn’t have his go-to target and instead will have to lean on tight end Luke Hasz and little-used senior Horatio Fields.
Notice, I have put LSU’s focus everywhere but Chambliss. That’s by design. He’s too tough to sack and corral because of his mobility. It’s not about pressuring him as it is about making him the only weapon. If Lacy is bottled up, and Alexander can’t record huge plays, the Rebels have to lean on their star for everything. That has to be the plan.
BORDELON/MOORE/BAH VS. ECHOLES/FRANKLIN/BROWN
These are the big boys, and LSU’s offensive line has to play like it did against Clemson, not Louisiana Tech.
The Bulldogs flustered LSU’s front and silenced the ground game early. That could make for some tough sledding in Oxford. Defensive tackle Will Echoles is a preseason All-SEC player. Kam Franklin is a huge, 300-pound edge player, and Jamarious Brown goes 6-foot-1 and 305 at the nose, too.
Ole Miss DT Will Echoles (#52) is a bull at the POA. Incredible play strength. pic.twitter.com/HlaChAa09T
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) September 10, 2026
Ole Miss allowed Louisville 162 rushing yards, including a snap over the punter’s head for a loss of 29. Take that out, and it’s 191 yards on 38 carries which is five yards per carry. The Rebels were also 12th in the SEC in rushing yards per game allowed last year.
Many are talking about Ole Miss’ coverage busts early, and they’ve happened, but the run defense may be a concern, too. The Rebels believe they have upgraded at linebacker with Luke Forrelli and Keaton Thomas, but it starts at the line of scrimmage.
