The Associated Press
No. 3 MISSISSIPPI (7-0, 4-0 SEC) at No. 24 LSU (6-2, 2-2), 8:21 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Mississippi by 3 1/2.
Series Record: LSU leads 58-40-4.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Ole Miss is firmly in the race for a Southeastern Conference title and a spot in the four-team college football playoff, but a stumble against the Tigers would at least dent the Rebels’ hopes of accomplishing both. LSU maintains slim hopes of getting back into the SEC West race, knowing it’ll have to win its last four league games — and get some help — in order to climb up the standings.
KEY MATCHUP
LSU’s running game, which gained more than 300 yards last week, against Mississippi’s defensive front, which has helped the Rebels rank second in the SEC and sixth nationally in rushing defense with 97.1 yards allowed per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mississippi: DE Marquis Haynes, a freshman, had 2 1/2 sacks and five tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery against Tennessee last week. Haynes now leads the SEC and is tied for third nationally with three forced fumbles. His 6 ½ sacks ranks third in the SEC, 10th nationally and second nationally among freshmen.
LSU: CB and PR Tre’Davious White returned a punt 67 yards for a TD last week against Kentucky. The week before that, the sophomore starter made his second interception of the season against Florida.
FACTS & FIGURES
Ole Miss is 7-0 for the first time since 1962, when the Rebels went 10-0 and shared the national title. … A win over LSU would give Mississippi only its second 8-0 record in program history, which dates to 1893. … Ole Miss leads the nation in scoring defense (10.6 points per game) and has given up a nation-low seven TDs. … Mississippi QB Bo Wallace has 1,899 yards and seven TDs passing, and has no INTs in SEC play. … Freshman Leonard Fournette leads LSU in rushing with 544 yards and seven TDs. … LSU WR Travin Dural has caught seven of starting QB Anthony Jennings’ eight career TD passes. … LSU has beaten a top-10 ranked team in Tiger Stadium at least once in each of the past four seasons.
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