Chris Macaluso
LSUsports.net
LSU head football coach Nick Saban’s team is at the opposite end of the spectrum than it was a week ago. But, according to Saban, so is his team’s opponent.
Last week, a somber Saban tried to explain the reasons why his team had lost to Florida 41-9 and what it would have to do to keep from losing to its next opponent the Kentucky Wildcats, by a similar margin. The Wildcats entered their game with LSU with one of the Southeastern Conference’s best passing attacks but its worst overall defense.
This week, a smiling Saban tried to explain the reasons why his team trounced Kentucky, 34-0, and hopefully what it could do to have a similar outcome against its next opponent 13th-ranked Mississippi State (4-1, 2-1). The Bulldogs enter their game with LSU (4-3, 2-2) with one of the league’s best rushing attacks and one its best defenses.
“Mississippi State presents some special challenges of their own for us this weeks to go along with the challenges we have for ourselves and what we want to accomplish,” Saban said. “This is probably the most physical team that we have had to play relative to their style of play.”
A style of play Saban said is much, much different than what his team saw out of Kentucky last Saturday.
Kentucky attacked LSU with short passes to multiple receivers designed to gain yards after the catch. The Wildcat offense gained 397 yards against the Tigers but were unable to score any points after bogging down in the red zone several times. Wildcat quarterback Jared Lorenzen completed 31-of-55 passes with one interception.
This week, Saban said he expects Mississippi State’s offense to run the ball almost as many times as Kentucky passed. Saban said there is no finesse to the Bulldog team and he expects them to come out and try to “bloody” LSU’s noses.
The Bulldogs rank second in the SEC in rushing offense, averaging 166.6 yards per game and first in rushing defense, giving up just 24.4 yards per game. Saban said the Bulldogs can use several weapons to win games.
“This (Mississippi State) is a good football team,” he said. “They have a good secondary and a great corner. They put a lot of pressure on you when they’re playing defense . They’re physical, they push the pocket, they have some good blitzers and good team speed.”
LSU will try to counter the Bulldog’s aggressive defense with a running game that struggled against Kentucky in the first half of last week’s game but recovered in the second half to finish with 146 yards. Labrandon Toefield was LSU’s leading rusher with 52 yards on 18 carries.
The Tiger’s biggest offensive output came from quarterback Josh Booty who completed 15-of-33 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception while filling in for injured Tiger starter Rohan Davey who is still sidelined with an ankle sprain.
Saban said the Tiger passing attack will be just as important this week to try and counter the Bulldog’s aggressive defense.
“I think that Josh played within himself and did an outstanding job of executing the offense,” Saban said. “He took advantage of what was there for the most part. He did a good job of game administration and I think there was a positive feeling for how he handled the team in the game.”
Game time this Saturday is set for 8 p.m. in Tiger Stadium with the game being televised to a national audience on ESPN2. LSU can improve its record to 5-3, 3-2 in the SEC and possibly move into a first-place tie in the conference’s western division if Alabama loses to Tennessee. But, Saban said he’s not worried about conference standings. He said he’s worried about winning.
“It’s going to be a very challenging game for us,” he said. “This is an outstanding football team and we have to play our very best to take advantage of the opportunities that we have and what we’re trying to prove as well.”