LSU Tigers might have the perfect answer to Ole Miss' greatest strength heading into Week 7 SEC rivalry game
The LSU Tigers have bounced back incredibly well following their disappointing Week 1 loss to USC. Since then LSU has outscored their opponents 156-81, winning four straight games, scoring an average of more than five touchdowns per game in that span thanks to their prolific offense.However, most LSU fans might believe the key to defeating […]
The LSU Tigers have bounced back incredibly well following their disappointing Week 1 loss to USC. Since then LSU has outscored their opponents 156-81, winning four straight games, scoring an average of more than five touchdowns per game in that span thanks to their prolific offense.
However, most LSU fans might believe the key to defeating Ole Miss in Week 7's SEC rivalry game will have to do with stopping the Rebels' equally impressive (and frankly superior) offense. While that would certainly help, the one area that LSU absolutely must win is in stopping Ole Miss' FBS-best pass rush. That has been the Rebels' greatest strength so far this season.
Heading into Week 7 there are only seven FBS teams in all of college football who have at least five players with 10+ pass rush pressures on the season. Ole Miss has six players with 14+ pass rush pressures on the year. The Rebels lead the nation in both total pressures (nearly 150) and sacks (24) coming into Week 7, annihilating every single offensive line and quarterback that they face.
Can LSU actually slow down Ole Miss' pass rushers who have wreaked havoc all year long? The answer actually might be "yes".
Brian Kelly's LSU Tigers offensive line has given up just one sack on the entire season and that came against South Carolina, one of the most fierce pass rushes in the nation. How has LSU been so phenomenal at stopping opposing pass rushers?
Two words. Will Campbell.
LSU's left tackle Will Campbell has played essentially perfect all season long. He lost a couple reps against future first round pick Dylan Stewart (of South Carolina), and perhaps one other rep against South Alabama last week, but beyond that it's been a truly immaculate season from Campbell. That's allowed LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to operate freely and confidently knowing his blindside is protected on every play.
It's really been more than just Campbell by himself too. Emery Jones Jr. is the tackle opposite Campbell on the right side. Both of them look like first round picks at this point. Jones Jr. has dominated all year long too, surrendering zero sacks and very few pressures.
But perhaps the most surprising and refreshing part of the offensive line play has been along the interior. DJ Chester, the new starting center, has performed admirably alongside both Miles Frazier and Garrett Dellinger at guards. The communication and execution on the inside has created clean pockets for Nussmeier to step up into every week.
If any opposing pass rush is going to find success against LSU's elite offensive line it's going to be Ole Miss, but it seems the Tigers might have the perfect unit to at least create a stalemate up front. With that said, LSU fans still might want to prepare themselves for the first week of multiple sacks and plentiful pressures for Garrett Nussmeier.
Suntarine Perkins, Princely Umanmielen, Chris Paul Jr., Walter Nolen, and Jared Ivey all have at least three sacks on the season for Ole Miss already. LSU fans just need to hope that Will Campbell and company are good enough to slow them down.
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