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In the midst of a two straight shutouts, with a scoreless streak that stretches back to the team’s opener, LSU’s defensive front has been able to let loose. The line has pinned its ears back and gotten into the backfield with great regularity, disrupting their opponents’ offenses in the process. They face a different kind of beast in Mississippi State, and they’ll have to adjust their mindset a little bit. No longer can Jermauria Rasco, Danielle Hunter and co. just bully their way to the backfield, not with Dak Prescott as the man under center.
Of course, first and foremost will be getting Prescott off his rhythm early. He hasn’t been the most accurate passer, completing under 60 percent of his attempts so far, and if the Tigers can make him rush his throws they’ll keep him below that number. When defenders get a clear lane to him, they need to take it.
Prescott gives defenses reason to pause when they’re attacking him, though. The 6-foot-2, 230 pound junior has the speed and elusiveness to get away, something he’s proved with his 6.8 yards per carry average and a few game-breaking scrambles. While Dan Mullen and his staff do draw up a fair amount of running plays for their quarterback, he’s more than capable of taking whatever lane the defense gives him if nothing opens up downfield.
LSU has the secondary to make sure nothing does open up for Prescott, so the defensive line can afford to be patient with its pass rushing. Jalen Collins, Tre’Davious White and the rest of the second haven’t been allowing receivers an inch of space all season, and it won’t be a surprise if they continue that. The longer that secondary holds, the more time the defensive line has to get to Prescott. It also makes the quarterback more of a flight risk, so John Chavis’ boys will have to be on high alert.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
