It’s going to be an SEC thriller as Lane Kiffin’s No. 11 Ole Miss Rebels prepare to host Brian Kelly and the No. 4 LSU Tigers at the Vaught.
With both teams entering this matchup undefeated, anticipation is high. The Rebels are riding high after a commanding victory over Tulane, winning 45-10. LSU also put forth a dominant performance against Southeastern Louisiana in Week 4, winning 56-10.
FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt broke down the game on his podcast, The Joel Klatt Show, on Thursday.
“When I saw Ole Miss favored, I was like, ‘Yikes, what am I missing in this?’ I get it that LSU has struggled running the ball, and they have, and Brian Kelly was famously asked about that after their win over Florida. Ole Miss is not Florida on defense, and specifically, they are not Florida stopping the run,” Klatt said. “In fact, Ole Miss is 121st in the country in terms of run defense. This is not the same animal. I don’t think LSU is going to come out and struggle to the extent that they have struggled running the football to this point. Which means I think their offense actually gets going in this game.”
On the other side, the Rebels have been electrified by former D2 star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who continues to lead their offense effectively. However, they face their toughest test yet against an LSU defense that has been like a fortress heading into week 5.
What does Klatt foresee from Oxford?
“LSU is better than they were a year ago. Ole Miss is not as good as they were a year ago. LSU beat them a year ago. I think Ole Miss is in the vein of maybe a South Carolina or an Illinois, where I think they are a little overrated,” Klatt said. “I think LSU wins this one straight up. Could be offensive fireworks. How about 38-34?
“… I think LSU’s offense is primed for a moment where they break out a little bit.”
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The Rebels are a slight 1.5-point favorite, per DraftKings.
Lee Ann joins the Saturday Down South team, bringing over fifteen years of experience covering the SEC as both a sports journalist and football scout. With her keen eye for talent, she has also flexes her skills as the Director of Recruiting for the Rebel Walk( Ole Miss) Herring, is a staff writer at USA Today Sports Wildcats Wire, where she dives into the thrilling world of Kentucky football and basketball. When fall rolls around, you can catch her on air as an analyst for the Wake up 502 College Football Show on Big X Sports Radio 96.1 FM—because who doesn't love a good game day chat? A proud Brown University alum, Lee Ann balances her time between the sidelines and press box with her passion for coaching her boys' youth lacrosse and savoring a fine glass of bourbon alongside a good cigar. So, whether she's dissecting plays or rallying the next generation of athletes, Lee Ann is your spirited insider ready to tackle all things SEC!
