LSU vs. Ole Miss Prediction

The most evenly-matched these two have been since '03 (and Eli was the neautralizer there, as Tigers were more talented at ever position). This should be the battle for the Cap One/Cotton Bowl. Ole Miss may have expended too much so that they could finally prove that they could beat UT in nearly a quarter of a century.

LSU, meanwhile, played its flatest performance just after its grittiest performance. This team is either a)going to lay an egg and lay down like last year b)going to pull a masterful gameplan out of "the Hat" and piece a finely orchestrated mixture of power running with Ridley and Williams mixed in with multi-read passing that just doesn't involve looking at LaFell or Tolliver and then panicing. I am hoping for the latter, but the former would definitely show that history repeats when it comes to leaving it all on the field against an undefeated team and then having a rent-a-win give you all you can handle.

I'll predict that Crowton will run and pass evenly...not taking too many chances with damaging Jefferson's nicks any further. Shepard will be the key factor in this game as we should hope to match the effectiveness of Ole Miss's Wild Rebel formation. Chavis will keep the defense in "safe mode", ensuring that McCluster doesn't consistently break his way into the secondary each play and that Snead is forced to make mistakes. You can't blitz and blitz this team.

Both teams have speed. Both have weapons. It should be a hell of a game, as you also have to factor in the "heated rivalry" into it.

Final:

LSU 27 Ole Miss 25

Player of the game: Steve Ridley, 15 carries 116 yards, 2 TD.