Previewing LSU and Ole Miss with ABC and ESPN’s Sean McDonough

Saturday night will mark the 113th installment of a series dating back to 1894 when the LSU Tigers welcome Ole Miss to Death Valley.

I personally felt upon seeing this matchup, that each team would enter the “Magnolia Bowl” undefeated and have rankings within the Top 5 of the various polls. However, LSU’s opening loss to USC and Ole Miss inexplicably dropping a contest to Kentucky at home for the first time since 1978 has raised the stakes even higher. The loser of this affair will have a pair of defeats and dreams of qualifying for the 12 team bowl playoff will be severely compromised.

“It should be a great game,” said play by play announcer, Sean McDonough.

McDonough will call the game alongside Greg McEleroy on Saturday night for ABC.

“Two talented teams with quarterbacks playing at a high level. It's a very important game with an eye toward the SEC race and the CFP. And there is no atmosphere better than Saturday night in Tiger Stadium,” said McDonough.

For LSU the game plan will be a simple one, control the line of scrimmage and limit the amount of big plays Jaxson Dart gravitates towards. The Heisman Trophy candidate has already connected this season with receiver Tre Harris (who broke Tigers hearts a year ago with a game winner) for five scores. Harris will be a game time decision due to a lower leg injury sustained last week vs. South Carolina. If Harris remains in street clothes, expect a healthly dose of Henry Parrish Jr on the ground who’s been highly effective for the Rebels finding the end zone 9 times this season while averaging 6.3 yards per carry. Whit Weeks will play a major role in limiting that attack.

The Tigers should have some added punch to their running game with the expected return of freshman sensation Caden Durham.

It will be also interesting to see if Garrett Nussmeier can continue his hot hand. Garrett has actually thrown two more touchdowns this season than his counterpart Jaxson Dart who’s attempting to bring Lane Kiffin his 40th win at Ole Miss.

Quarterback play will ultimately dictate the winner in this contest, just as it did a season ago. It should be a special occasion as always. Look no further than the emotions of a year ago, or even that of three seasons back when Eli Manning chose this very game to have his jersey retirement ceremony.