LSU Football: Tigers' Stellar Run Defense Will Dominate Bulldogs

Mississippi State's prolific run game is about to meet its kryptonite. LSU is going to stuff them in their Bulldog tracks.

Mississippi State's running game is steamrolling everyone in their path. The have rushed for a combined 642 yards in games against Memphis and Auburn.

Particularly impressive was the run numbers they put up against the defending national champs. The Bulldogs bullied Auburn's proud defense for 63 carries and 333 yards.

These numbers would be intimidating for most of their opponents. LSU is not only not intimidated, but they are looking forward to the challenge.

Here is LSU coach Les Miles on the subject, as quoted on SI.com:

"Our guys are going to have to take the line of scrimmage. The nature of (Mississippi State's) offense is a physical brand. I think our guys will enjoy that piece.''

LSU has good reason to look forward to this challenge. The more the Bulldogs try to pound the rock, the more they will be playing into the Tigers hands. LSU's rush defense is off the charts good this year.

The Tigers are giving up just 45.5 yards per game on the ground in their first two games. 

That includes holding rushing powerhouse Oregon to just 95 yards on the ground. And that relatively small number took them 28 carries to accomplish. While their second opponent, Northwestern State was clearly overmatched, the Tigers' numbers on rush defense are still mind boggling.

Northwestern State carried the ball 27 times and lost four yards.

LSU is going to dominate the line of scrimmage, and that will lead to them dominating the game.