LSU Vs. Mississippi St.: 5 Keys To Victory For The Tigers
Saturday September the 18th will mark the 103rd meeting between the LSU Fighting Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. A look at the series history, which began in 1896, would show that LSU holds a 67-33-3 career record including winning the 10 straight previous contests, but these aren't your fathers Bulldogs.
In fact, in his second season, Mississippi St. Head Coach Dan Mullen brings a football team that is more bite than bark to Baton Rouge, as evident by a disheartening narrow loss to a seemingly superior Auburn Tigers. The game against Auburn was filled with it's ups and downs, but as Mullen, himself, will admit, was determined by Mississippi State's missed opportunities. Now the Bulldogs enjoy one of the perks of playing on a Thursday night as they have two extra days of practice to prepare for the #15 LSU Tigers.
The 15th ranked Tigers, enter the game with as many questions as they have answers. The Tigers defense is proving to be a dominant force, one which leads the SEC in sacks with 10 through 2 games, and first in the SEC in rushing defense, allowing a mere 44.5 yards a game for a 1.4 yards per attempt.
The Tigers offense, however, has it's share of questions, as QB Jordan Jefferson has struggled through 2 games causing the Tigers to field the lowest rated pass offense in the SEC. Thankfully for the Tigers, Junior RB Stevan Ridley exploded in the second half of the Vanderbilt game with 159 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown.
On paper, the Tigers are far more talented at every position, but Dan Mullen's Bulldogs are a technically sound, dangerous football team that are headed in the right direction. The keys for a Tiger victory are simple, but the numbers do not lie. Here are the 5 most glaring keys for the Tigers to address.
Keep Stevan Ridley and The Tiger Running Game Moving
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The Bulldogs are coming to Baton Rouge fielding a surprisingly stingy defense. One which has allowed an average of 292.5 total yards per game. In fact, Mississippi St. is a solid 4th in the SEC in scoring defense allowing an average of 12 points a game. Ignore the fact that the Bulldogs faced Memphis in their first contest. The Bulldogs held a Gus Malzahn coached Auburn offense to a mere 17 points.
The Bulldogs defense has allowed only 15 first downs and 3 touchdowns throughout 2 games, while posting three interceptions. Where they have been vulnerable, though, is at the rushing defense. The Bulldogs rank 8th in the SEC in rushing defense, allowing 3.4 yards per carry and 115.5 yards per game. The bulldogs defense has stiffened up though, not allowing a rushing touchdown as of yet.
This is good news for the Tigers, as against Vanderbilt the Tigers found their running game. Ridley, as stated before, rushed for 159 yards, but they also showed depth behind Ridley and super-athlete Russel Sheppard, with Alfred Blue, Richard Murphy, and Michael Ford all getting into the action. This depth should allow the Tigers with a steady set of relatively fresh legs to attack with.
Find an Answer To The Quarterback Position
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This would seem to be a make or break game for Junior Quarterback Jordan Jefferson after two lackluster outings and talented West Virginia team looming on the horizon. Jefferson, to his credit, has not been terrible completing 23-41 for 247 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, but the rumblings in Baton Rouge for Jarrett Lee are beginning to grow.
The simple fact is, the Tigers trio of Terrance Tolliver, Reuben Randle, and Russel Sheppard are a far too talented set of wide receivers for the passing game to be so ineffective. The Tigers passing offense comes into the game last in the SEC. While the Bulldogs pass defense has produced three takeaways, it has also allowed all of its touchdowns through the air. The passing defense of the Bulldogs ranks in at 8th in the SEC allowing an average 128.3 yards per game.
The Tigers passing offense has to show signs of life in this game. Yes, the Tigers are beginning to show they can run the ball effectively, but if teams do not respect the pass, then LSU will begin to see more 8 in the box looks and the running game will suffer.
Expect Mississippi State to begin this trend of stacking the box, forcing the Tigers to throw. If Jordan Jefferson is not able to adjust, Les Miles may be forced to insert Jarrett Lee before it's too late.
Force Mississippi State's Chris Relf To Make Mistakes
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The Mississippi State Bulldogs have yet to find a replacement for former RB Anthony Dixon. This in turn has caused for an increase in the role of QB Chris Relf.
Relf hasn't produced spectacular numbers, but he has kept the offense moving. Relf's 19-35 for 226 yards 1 touchdown and 1 interception won't strike fear into the heart of many defenses, but Relf has shown the willingness to run as well.
Relf has run 21 times for a total of 46 yards, but he has run for a long of 19. Mississippi State's most efficient quarterback is talented freshman Tyler Russell, but I wouldn't expect to see Dan Mullen send his freshman qb out against the SEC's leaders in sacks.
The Tigers lead the SEC with 10 sacks, and the majority of those come from defensive lineman Drake Nevis (3.5), Sam Montgomery (2.0) and Barkevious Mingo (1.0). If this trend keeps up, LSU defensive coordinator can drop his talented group of linebackers into coverage to help to confuse the Bulldog QB while still applying pressure from his athletic defensive line.
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Positive Yards In The Return Game
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LSU enters the game as the SEC's leading return team, 1st in punt returns and 2nd in kickoff returns, thanks in part to Patrick Peterson's 257 yard breakout game against UNC. Since that game though, every team in the country will do everything in it's power to keep the ball out of #7's hands.
The Tigers have to find positive yards somehow though. Every offense benefits from good field position, but the LSU offense needs it now more than ever. Any bit of positive momentum, should hopefully allow Jordan Jefferson to become more comfortable under center.
Mississippi State enters the game with the 3rd ranked punting unit averaging 40.8 yards per punt and allowing a return average of 1.1 yards, but in the kicking game has not produced a touchback. The Tigers may have opportunities for big gains on kick returns, and they may need it as special teams might just be an important factor to the game.
Eliminate Penelties
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The Tigers have not been a heavy penalized team thus far, but as they enter the brutal SEC schedule, careless mistakes are the difference between wins and losses. Through two games, the Tigers have been flagged 11 times for a loss of 80 yards. Any coach would tell you that it's eleven flags to many, yet penalties are expected especially with often the often controversial SEC referees.
Mississippi State, however, enters the game tied as the SEC's fewest penalized team, having been flagged 5 times for a loss of 55 yards. The Tigers shouldn't expect many more as Dan Mullen's team is technically sound from top to bottom.
This may just be the most important key for a Tigers victory, just as the 2009 game proved, this game could be closer than most would want to believe.
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