PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire has emerged as the leading ball carrier in a tandem with Nick Brossette. Both have been effective and LSU continues to utilize both, but in recent weeks the Tigers have leaned more on Edwards-Helaire, who’s more of a speedy outside runner than Brossette, who’s more of a between-the-tackles rusher. Edwards-Helaire’s speed and quickness could be especially useful as the Tigers try to get around State’s big defensive front.
–C Lloyd Cushenberry III has been an anchor on a line that is starting to get some continuity. LSU started the same group for a second consecutive game for the first time this season when it faced Georgia last week. Cushenberry will be matched against nose tackle Jeffrey Simmons, who was a big part of State’s dominance up front against the Tigers last season.
–NT Ed Alexander played perhaps his best game of the season last week and was a key to LSU slowing down Georgia’s SEC-leading rushing attack. State runs a different type of running game, but it’s also one of the best in the SEC and Alexander will be a key to slowing it down, especially because of QB Nick Fitzgerald’s propensity for running up the middle.
–LB Jacob Phillips is an important complement to Devin White, who is the Tigers’ leading tackler and one of the leading tacklers in the SEC. White is going to have a lot of tackles no matter what, but the LSU defense has been at its best when both White and Phillips have been active at the same time as was the case against Georgia.
SERIES HISTORY: LSU leads Mississippi State 73-35-3, but State won 37-7 last season in Starkville, Miss. The Tigers won 23-20 in 2016 in Les Miles’ last home game as LSU coach.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I talked to them about that look. We had that look Saturday. It was a good feeling to see. When you’re fired up, it’s something else. When you’re disciplined, together as a football team, you’re focused. Saturday was one of those days. It was going to happen, you could feel it.” — LSU coach Ed Orgeron on the upset win against No. 2 Georgia.
