November 20, 2009

LSU will face one of its toughest tests of the season in Oxford tomorrow.

On the line for both teams is the inside track to being the third best team in the SEC, and an invitation to the Capital One Bowl in Orlando.  I think the Tigers could still lose this game and get that bid, but not many people agree with me on that one.  My thinking is that LSU will still be ranked higher if both teams win next week, but it would still be up to the bowl committee.

The Tigers face what may be the hottest back in the nation in Dexter McCluster.  The 5-9, 170-lb. dynamo gashed Tennessee last week for the largest number of rushing yards (278) ever given up by a Volunteer team.  LSU will have to tackle much better than they have the last six quarters.

Ole Miss will line McCluster up as a tailback, flanker, slot/wing, or even quaterback in what they call the "Wild Rebel", which features a direct snap to him.  Backside pursuit is key against McCluster, who likes to cut back.

Quarterback Jevan Snead has been up and down.  Before the season he looked like a sure early entry into the NFL draft, but seems to have played himself into a senior season.  He's thrown 17 TD's but 14 interceptions, and has come apart against South Carolina, Alabama, and Auburn.

Like the entire Ole Miss squad, excluding McCluster, he hasn't played up to his potential every week.

Another example is the Rebel run defense, which is thought of as one of the best in the league.  Ranked 5th in the category, they've allowed 173 yards to Alabama's Mark Ingram, 144 to Auburn's Ben Tate, and 140 to the Vanderbilt tandem of Warren Norman and Jared Hawkins.

Keiland Williams and Stevan Ridley will have their chance.

We wonder if Jordan Jefferson will.  He returned to practice this week, but still remains hindered by an ankle injury.  If Jefferson goes, he may not be 100%.  If his mobility seems limited in the slightest, I expect Ole Miss defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix to turn up the pressure.

If Jefferson can't go, the Tigers will once again turn to Jarrett Lee, who would have to be leaps and bounds better than he was last week.  The opponent upgrade makes that unlikely.

LSU has done a much better job than Ole Miss at protecting the football, besting the Rebels in turnover margin by quite a bit.  It may be their best chance to win this game in which they are a three point underdog.