LSU and Ole Miss have played each other more than 100 times.
It’s such a significant rivalry that the Southeastern Conference (SEC) reportedly has designated it to continue annually even as the conference transitions to a nine-game league schedule next season.
And it’s as significant as ever as the No. 4 Tigers (4-0, 1-0) face the No. 13 Rebels (4-0, 2-0) on Saturday in Oxford, Miss.
The home team has won a very close game in each of the last two meetings. LSU won 29-26 last season while Ole Miss won 55-49 two years ago, outgaining the Tigers 706 – 637.
“You feel better about those games because you’re taking a defense that you know can stand up against the environment,” Tigers coach Brian Kelly said.
Since that loss two years ago, Kelly has brought in a new defensive coordinator (Blake Baker) and transformed the roster through recruiting and the transfer portal.
“We’re a much more cohesive group,” Kelly said. “The roster’s better. The players are better. … We bring a defense with us now.”
LSU ranks No. 9 in the country in scoring defense (9.25 points per game) and No. 17 in total defense (246.2 yards per game).
“They’re the best they’ve been on defense since we played them,” Rebels sixth-year head coach Lane Kiffin said. “I think the second year in a system defensively helps a lot of times, and they’ve improved their personnel also.”
Kiffin’s offense will test Kelly’s defense more than anyone else this season. Ole Miss is No. 9 in the country in total offense (543 yards per game) and No. 12 in scoring (44.8).
“Their tempo is the best in the league,” Kelly said. “You have to get lined up and in some instances, it keeps you from doing too much. You’ve got to get your cleats in the ground. You’ve got to be fundamentally sound.”
The Rebels’ quarterback situation remains unclear. Austin Simmons is the starter, but he has not started either of the last two games because of an ankle injury.
Early last week, Kiffin said he expected Simmons to start against Tulane, but when the game arrived Kiffin started Trinidad Chambliss for a second consecutive week. Chambliss passed for 307 yards and two touchdown passes and rushed for 112 yards in a 45-10 thrashing of the previously undefeated Green Wave.
“We’ll have to evaluate (Simmons’) health and then make a decision,” Kiffin said. “At 100 percent he is our starting quarterback, but we don’t know what percentage he’ll be.”
LSU finally had a breakout offensive performance in a 56-10 victory against FCS Southeastern Louisiana last Saturday.
The Tigers hadn’t scored more than 23 points in any of their first three games, but scored touchdowns on eight consecutive possessions and finished with 530 yards.
“I just don’t think they’ve had the numbers that they were probably thinking, but that happens sometimes early in the year,” Kiffin said of the LSU offense. “I look at the players more than scheme when I watch things, and I see elite players. So we’re going to have to play really well and be really challenged.”
