Game Notes: LSU travels to face Ole Miss in SEC Battle of Top 20 teams

LSU (3-1, 2-0 SEC) plays the first of two straight road games on Saturday when the Tigers travel to face No. 20 Ole Miss (3-1, 0-1 SEC) in Oxford. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. on ESPN with Bob Wischusen (pxp), Robert Griffin III (analyst) and Kris Budden (sideline).

It will be on the second time since the 1941 the teams will meet during the month of September and it’s also the first time both teams are ranked in the Top 25 for the contest since 2016. LSU enters the game ranked No. 12 in the Coaches Poll and No. 13 in the AP Poll.

The Tigers are coming off a 34-31 win over Arkansas, while the Rebels dropped a 24-10 decision to Alabama. The game also serves as the annual Magnolia Bowl (established in 2008). LSU won last year’s meeting, 45-20, in Tiger Stadium and has won six of its past seven against Ole Miss. In the last meeting in Oxford, Ole Miss won 31-17 in 2021.

LSU enters the contest leading the SEC in scoring offense (42.8) and total offense (530.0), No. 2 in passing (338.3) and No. 3 in rushing (191.8). QB Jayden Daniels leads the SEC in passing yards per game (324.0), pass efficiency (189.08 rating), and passing TDs (12). He’s also No. 1 in the SEC and No. 3 nationally in total offense (372.3). Daniels has accounted for at least 4 TDs in 3 straight games – the longest such streak at LSU since Joe Burrow did it in the final 3 games of his collegiate career in 2019. WRs Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas are the top receiving tandem in the SEC, combining for 57 receptions for 936 yards and 10 TDs, while RB Logan Diggs is No. 3 in the SEC in rushing yards per game (84.3).

Defensively, the Tigers are allowing 25.0 points and 360.3 total yards (132.3 rushing, 228.0 passing) per game. S Major Burns leads LSU in tackles with 27, followed by LB Greg Penn with 23. LB Harold Perkins has 15 tackles and leads the Tigers in both tackles for loss (3.5) and sacks (2). He’s also broken up 3 passes, had a pair of QB hurries and forced 2 fumbles. PK Damian Ramos has made 6 straight field goals dating back to last year, including the game-winner 20-yard FG with 5 seconds left against Arkansas.