LSU is preparing to clash with Ole Miss this Saturday night in Oxford, and anyone who watched the Rebels almost beat Texas A&M last week, knows the Tigers can't overlook this game.
The final score for Ole Miss versus A&M: 41-38.
History says this week will be a tight battle as well.
LSU and Ole Miss typically play close games: 5 of the last 7 matchups have been decided by less than 7 points or ended in an Ole Miss triumph.
LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger promises the game plan offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is drafting will attack from beginning to end.
"If anybody knows Coach Cameron, conservative is a word you really can't use to describe him or even say the word around him really," Mettenberger said. "He kind of hates it. He's a very aggressive mindset guy."
Cameron was certainly aggressive with the Tigers rushing attack when they dismantled the Florida Gators 17-6 in Baton Rouge last Saturday.
The Purple and Gold went old-school, proving they can still play smash mouth football, rushing the ball 39 times.
"Being able to re-establish that, was the fun part about the game," offensive tackle La'el Collins said. "With the guys that I play offensive line with, those guys love to be physical man, and I'm just thinking about plays that went on in that game, it was just fun to watch, fun to play in."
Collins was a critical component of the equation that not only produced 188 yards for the Tigers on the ground, but that also kept Mettenberger 100 percent clean for the first time this season when facing an SEC opponent.Collins says he and his fellow linemen take both tasks to heart.
"We're doing whatever we got to do to help our team win," Collins said. "If it's a mixture of both, we like doing it. If it's just paving the way, we love it. Giving us the opportunity to go out there and be physical is another thing that we like to do, but we'll take it whichever way they'll give it to us."
"I thought they gave great protection for the most part to Zach," head coach Les Miles said. "I felt like there was running room in the running game, and I felt that they had great energy and enthusiasm for play. We're pleased with the development thus far."
LSU's young defense has been growing as well this season, especially since the second half of the game against Mississippi State. The Tigers "D" held the Bulldogs and the Florida Gators to a combined 9 points in 6 quarters of football.
Saturday, Ole Miss' two-quarterback attack will present the latest hurdle for the Tigers to clear.
It's a dynamic LSU has faced before this season, against TCU and Mississippi State, allowing 27 and 26 points respectively.
This Saturday, that dual threat challenge will be delivered by Ole Miss junior Bo Wallace and senior Barry Brunetti. Wallace passed for 310 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in Baton Rouge last season. Brunetti is known more for running the ball, but he did take to the air against the Aggies last week, accounting for two touchdowns.
Miles acknowledges the benefit of deploying two capable signal callers on a regular basis.
"You can see where a guy has a different style and different strengths, and you bring that guy in to do the things that he can do for his team," Miles said. "Then you don't unseat the starter, if you will, and he comes back in and he does the things that he's supposed to do. Plus, if somebody gets nicked -- two quarterbacks are ready to go onto the field comfortably, and they understand the game plan."
