LSU Tigers: Five must-see games for Tigers in 2015
Oct 4, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) scores on a touchdown reception during the second half against Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
3. LSU at Ole Miss – Nov. 21
Ole Miss and LSU have a rich and storied history that dates all the way back to 1894 when Mississippi beat LSU 26-6. Since then this series has taken some turns with LSU leading in the win column 59-40-4 all-time.
Under Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss is 1-2 with both losses coming on the road in Baton Rouge by an average of 4.5 points. If history repeats itself this season the LSU Tigers will have their hands full on the road versus a team that could have very well found itself in the four-team playoff last season if not for the injury bug.
This year Ole Miss returns 16 starters(9 offense, 7 defense) and will be a force to be reckoned with in the western division if they can establish a consistent running attack. In order to do that task they’ll need to solidify the quarterback position with either Ryan Buchanan or Chad Kelly who is the more mobile of the two and will probably be the first option until Ole Miss can find a running attack.
Defensively, Ole Miss brings back two of the team’s top tacklers in Mike Hilton and Tony Conner. Both will look to continue the trend in 2015 with Trae Elston, CJ Johnson, Isaac Gross and All-American candidate Robert Nkemdiche at their side. This defense isn’t the biggest the LSU Tigers will face in 2015 but they make up for it in strength and speed. Ole Miss will try to combat the run this season, an area of severe neglect, with the addition of a very athletic 300 pound JUCO transfer DJ Jones.
Last season Ole Miss held LSU to 142 yards through the air but gave up the house on the ground to the tune of 264-yards total. LSU will look to continue that trend when they travel to Oxford in 2015 on the back of Fournette but in order for him to be as effective on the ground the Tigers will need to have a consistent passing attack by the time this game takes place in November.
The passing attack of LSU during the 2014 season was meek at best delivering no more than 150 yards passing in seven out of eight games. That cannot be duplicated in 2015 if LSU is to be taken seriously in the western division.
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