Mississippi State and LSU are set to square off in each team’s first SEC game of the season, and at least one person views LSU as a top 10 team in the nation.

MSU’s head coach Dan Mullen said during his press conference Monday that he believes LSU is a top 10 team. LSU is currently ranked No. 12 in the last AP Poll and has looked strong in 2017. The Tigers have started the season off 2-0 with an impressive 27-0 shutout of BYU followed by a 45-10 victory over Chattanooga.

SEC play will certainly provide more challenges for the Tigers, but Mullen does not appear off-base with his claim. LSU has looked good in nearly every facet of the game, and the Tigers defense should only get better with the news that LB Arden Key is cleared to play this week.

Logan Lowery shared Mullen’s claim on Twitter:

Joel Coleman with the Starkville Daily tweeted that Mullen believes his team is already fired up for the game:

Mississippi State and junior QB Nick Fitzgerald will certainly be the toughest challenge for LSU so far. Fitzgerald has already scored eight total touchdowns in two games to start the season.

Saturday’s kickoff is set for 7PM on ESPN.