The LSU Tigers welcome Mississippi State to Tiger Stadium this Saturday at 11:00 a.m. CT. The Bulldogs could miss their star quarterback Kamario Taylor due to a nagging injury. This changes the whole feel of the game for fans who expected a major showdown. Per Yahoo Sports, the Bulldogs also seemingly lose running back Fluff Bothwell to injury. The crowd will still roar, but the offense looks different than planned.
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt steps up to lead the team without that specific matchup threat. He has thrown for 1,496 yards and 10 touchdowns so far this season. The Tigers need to score early to keep the home crowd excited. Across their first drives in each game this season, they have managed just one score. That field goal against Kentucky is not enough to win big games in Death Valley.
Mississippi State Loses Its Best Weapons
Mississippi State comes into Baton Rouge with a strong record on paper, but their stars are down. Kamario Taylor has thrown 17 touchdowns with just 4 interceptions in 102 completions. Without him, the offense has to rely on others to make plays. The Bulldogs doubtful running back, Fluff Bothwell, has rushed for 403 yards this year. Their top receiver, Anthony Evans III, still has 574 yards and 5 scores, but he needs better protection.
LSU defense looks ready to swarm the remaining options. Princewill Umanmielen has recorded 8 sacks to disrupt the backfield. If the Bulldogs cannot run the ball or protect the quarterback, they will struggle to move down the field. The Tigers have a clear advantage in the trenches. The weather will be perfect for a football game with temperatures in the upper 60s.
Can LSU Start Fast at Home?
The biggest question for LSU is whether they can fix their slow starts. They have not scored on an opening drive in five of their first six games. This trend must end if they want to dominate a conference foe. Coach Lane Kiffin needs his offense to find scoring early to build confidence. The team heads back on the road next week, so a strong home performance is vital.
The weather in Baton Rouge is a blessing for the fans and players. A cool front has moved in, making the upper 60s and low 70s ideal for play. While an early October kickoff is usually difficult, this instance proves different. The Tigers lead the all-time series 75-36-3. They know how to play in this stadium. The crowd will be loud, and the players must feed off that energy to get the job done right away.
LSU kicker Scott Staryzk has been solid with a 7-of-9 field goal record and a long of 49 yards. On the other side, Mississippi State kicker Kyle Ferrie is 7-of-8 with a long of 52.