#21 Mississippi State Bulldogs at #7 LSU Tigers Preview

An intriguing matchup in the SEC. Mississippi State and LSU have the same overall record, as well as division record. Although division records really don't matter right now, as it seems Alabama has the SEC West all sewn up, but that's a different story.

MSU will be looking for a big game from Tyler Russell.

LSU has played well this year. Only losing two, one to Alabama, and another to Florida (in the Swamp). Mississippi State has played well also, losing their last two games, to Alabama (at Bama) and another to Texas A&M. MSU is going to be looking to end this losing streak, and get back to their winning ways. To do that, they're going to be looking for a big game from their junior quarterback Tyler Russell. Russell is 156/263 for 1,954 yards, 16 TDs, and only 3 interceptions.

One of Russell's biggest targets, is senior wide receiver Chad Bumphis. Bumphis leads the Bulldogs with 34 receptions, 536 yards, and 7 touchdowns. He needs to bring it Saturday night against this Tigers defense, who is only giving up an average of 15 points a game.

Mississippi State also has Ladarius Perkins in the backfield. Perkins has carried the ball 153 times for 804 yards and 8 touchdowns. Perkins is a good running back, but LSU has two very good running backs (who are also very young), in Jeremy Hill who is a freshman and Kenny Hilliard who is a sophomore. Both backs have over 70 carries for over 400 yards rushing, and six touchdowns. It's a duo that Mississippi State is going to have to key on, and stop. If they can't shut LSU's two stud running backs down, the Bulldogs very well could taste defeat for the third time in a row this season inside Tiger Stadium.

LSU's two stud HB's will be looking to run over the Bulldogs.

LSU's offense doesn't stop there. They also have a junior quarterback named Zach Mettenberger, who has thrown for over 1,700 yards and 8 touchdowns, although he has 4 interceptions, one more than Tyler Russell (with half as many touchdowns thrown as Russell). LSU also has a sophomore wide receiver by the name of Odell Beckham who is nearing 500 yards receiving, and has reeled in two touchdowns.

The big keys to this game, is Mississippi State's passing game, LSU's rushing game, and LSU's defense, who is ranked 13 higher in the nation than Mississippi State.

Both defenses are strong. Both offenses are strong. Just in very different ways. I think this one is going to be a very entertaining game folks. Look for Tyler Russell to be a big key in MSU's gameplan. Same goes for LSU's running back duo. I'd hate to have to make a pick in this game. It's going to be a good one in Tiger Stadium. Make sure to tune in to ESPN at 7:00 ET on Saturday night. If not, you could very well miss one of the best games of the year.

- Matt Lytle

@mattlytle