Week 3 - Sept. 17 vs. Mississippi State
A new era begins for Mississippi State without Dak Prescott and Chris Jones. These two premier Bulldogs do not return in 2016, and it's easier said than done replacing a player who accounted for 12,000 total yards and more than 100 touchdowns and another who was a game-changer on the defensive line. The Bulldogs seem to be going in reverse after climbing to the top of the polls in 2014. And what was thought to be the strength of the team early in the offseason (wide receiver) could now be a weakness with Fred Brown being dismissed from the team and Fred Ross missing time in the spring with a groin injury. That certainly won't help improve State's running game woes in 2016 (Prescott was the team's leading rusher last season). All taken into account, the Bulldogs will be far from the Tigers' toughest in-conference test and this is a game the Tigers must win. LSU will likely test Mississippi State's interior defense without Jones and tackling machine Beniquez Brown (amassed more than 200 tackles in his linebacker career). Look for the Tigers' running game to be a focal point against a Mississippi State team that will likely continue its SEC downslide.
A new era begins for Mississippi State without Dak Prescott and Chris Jones. These two premier Bulldogs do not return in 2016, and it's easier said than done replacing a player who accounted for 12,000 total yards and more than 100 touchdowns and another who was a game-changer on the defensive line. The Bulldogs seem to be going in reverse after climbing to the top of the polls in 2014. And what was thought to be the strength of the team early in the offseason (wide receiver) could now be a weakness with Fred Brown being dismissed from the team and Fred Ross missing time in the spring with a groin injury. That certainly won't help improve State's running game woes in 2016 (Prescott was the team's leading rusher last season). All taken into account, the Bulldogs will be far from the Tigers' toughest in-conference test and this is a game the Tigers must win. LSU will likely test Mississippi State's interior defense without Jones and tackling machine Beniquez Brown (amassed more than 200 tackles in his linebacker career). Look for the Tigers' running game to be a focal point against a Mississippi State team that will likely continue its SEC downslide.
