MAROON FIVE: KEYS TO BEATING NO. 8 LSU
n What must improve: First, MSU obviously must get past the stigma of playing in Tiger Stadium against an LSU team that has owned the series for the better part of two decades. And while MSU head coach Mullen has downplayed the prospect of playing in Baton Rouge, the fact remains that the Bulldogs have lost their last 12 trips into the Tigers’ den. A fast start behind Prescott and an offense that’s averaging 27 first half points through three games would go a long way.
Second, the Bulldogs haven’t shown many weaknesses offensively this year. Much of that is a product of a schedule that hasn’t forced MSU’s offense to break much of a sweat this year, but at times the Bulldogs have struggled to string first downs together due to mistakes, such as quarterback Dak Prescott taking a sack on third-and-nine against South Alabama early in last Saturday’s win. Such mistakes will have to be few and far between, particularly early against LSU.
n Key Bulldog: The easy answer is Prescott. And while that could hold true for most of MSU’s games this season, senior receiver Jameon Lewis could play just as big of a role. After entering the season as the Southeastern Conference’s leading returning receiver, Lewis has struggled to become dominant in his final season, as the Tylertown native had just four catches through the first two games. But with six catches and a touchdown pass last Saturday against South Alabama, Lewis could be on the verge of a breakout. Such a breakout would be a huge advantage for MSU, as outside receivers De’Runnya Wilson and Robert Johnson will have their hands full with LSU cornerbacks Jalen Collins and Tre-Davious White, both preseason All-SEC picks. That could open up the middle of the field for Lewis against LSU’s linebackers or nickel packages.
n Stat to watch: Yards per carry. While it hasn’t been explosive, Mississippi State’s ground game has been ruthlessly efficient so far. Tailback Josh Robinson is averaging 6.3 yards per rush and Prescott 6.8, as the Bulldogs have had no problem establishing the running game and then exploiting opposing pass defenses because of it. And LSU’s defense, while good across the board, showed a susceptibility to the run in its opener, when Wisconsin tailback Melvin Gordon rushed for 140 yards on just 16 carries, an average of 8.8. If MSU can establish the ground game early, the possibilities for moving the football are opened up in Baton Rouge.
n Surprise player? Again, LSU is great in pass coverage on the corners. White and Collins are among the country’s best. But that leaves the middle of the field for LSU’s backup defensive backs and linebackers to try to contain MSU’s backs and tight ends in coverage. And while tailback Josh Robinson has been explosive catching the ball out of the backfield (five catches for 94 yards), starting tight end Malcolm Johnson has been contained for the most part. Johnson, who had 30 catches a year ago, has just four so far. But as a fifth-year senior, Johnson could be the target that emerges for Prescott at LSU.
n Strengths vs. weaknesses: MSU’s offense has shown plenty of strengths through three games, and LSU’s defense has shown very few weaknesses. The Tigers haven’t been scored upon in the month of September, and passing the ball has been a complete no-go against LSU. But the strength of MSU’s offense has been balance, as the Bulldogs have been able to average 266 yards per game through the air and 260 on the ground. It’s that balance that could allow the Bulldogs to poke and prod the Tigers’ defense until a weakness emerges.
–Brandon Walker
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