LSU football: Tigers and Bulldogs breakdown with MSU writer

LSU football currently sits 1-1 after two games. It’s been a mixed bag thus far with the Tigers throwing away a golden opportunity to get the Brian Kelly era off to a winning start, but rebounding in a big way against Southern. The Bayou Bengals’ first game in SEC play will help fans assess where the team is at this moment in time when Mississippi State rolls into the Louisiana capital this weekend.

The Bulldogs—much like LSU—aren’t ranked in the AP Top 25 at the moment, they’re knocking on the door though. This game will be a massive one for both programs and their hopes throughout the season. The road team has won each of the last three games in this series. This will definitely be something to watch again at the weekend, especially seeing as Mississippi State is currently a -2.5 point favorite over the Tigers.

LSU football begins SEC play on Saturday against Mississippi State. Site Expert Landon Young from Maroon & White Nation joins us for a pre-kickoff Q&A!

Obviously, Tigers fans have read a lot about their team at Death Valley Voice over the last few weeks. Now it’s time to get some insight from the other side of the aisle. In a recent discussion with Death Valley Voice’s Gabe Henderson, Maroon & White Nation Site Expert Landon Young revealed his thoughts ahead of the Bulldogs’ third game of the year.

Here are all of the questions and answers from the chat with Young:

Death Valley Voice: Will Rogers is Mississippi State’s indisputable star. Who are some of his supporting cast that LSU fans should hear about on Saturday? What makes them special?

Maroon & White Nation: Will Rogers is the star because he touches the ball the most, but his supporting cast is just as talented. The supporting cast that LSU fans should hear about are all 10 of the receivers that had a reception on Saturday. The wide receiver position group is loaded this year for the Bulldogs.

Death Valley Voice: Jayden Daniels and Will Rogers are going to steal the show in what’s set to be a fantastic game of football. In your eyes, do you think the Tigers have enough with Daniels and Co. to keep up with the Bulldogs in a potential offensive shootout?

Maroon & White Nation: I do. I think Jayden Daniels and the LSU offense will keep this game interesting, but I’m not so sure it’ll be a “shootout.”

Death Valley Voice: Rogers has only been sacked a handful of times this season. Is that down to good offensive line play, the system, another factor or a bit of both? How do you see the Bulldogs’ offensive line holding up in the trenches against one of the country’s most talented defensive lines in LSU?

Maroon & White Nation: It’s a combination of both the offensive line and the system. The O-line has looked good through two non-conference games, and we’ll see how that holds up vs. our first SEC opponent. Will Rogers does a great job of getting the ball out quickly and that’s due to the designed play (aka the system). I think LSU’s defensive line will get to Rogers a couple of times on the night. I expect the Bulldogs to adjust.

Death Valley Voice: Obviously a lot of the focus falls on Mississippi State’s offense, but who are the difference makers on the defensive side of the ball?

Maroon & White Nation: The linebacker position group. Jett Johnson, Bookie Watson and Tyrus Wheat are all ballers—expect to hear their names called a few times on Saturday.

Death Valley Voice: What is your overall prediction for the game?

Maroon & White Nation: 32-24 Bulldogs. I expect it to be a close game all the way to the last snap. I see the Tigers opening up the game with an early lead, but the Bulldogs regroup and finish strong.

A huge thank you goes out to Landon for taking the time out of his day to talk with us about Mississippi State. Be sure to check out Maroon & White Nation and read my responses to his questions before kickoff on Saturday evening!