Two ranked SEC teams, one league race and a lunchtime kickoff in Baton Rouge. No. 16 Mississippi State (4-1, 2-1 SEC) visits No. 22 LSU (4-2, 1-2) at noon on ESPN, and the loser walks away with a conference loss that could end title dreams.
The biggest news sits in the Bulldogs' quarterback room. Kamario Taylor, who has thrown for 1,450 yards and 17 touchdowns, has been ruled out with a foot injury. Redshirt freshman Parker "Billy" Puckett, who has thrown for 89 yards this season, is set to start. Mississippi State insider Wade Pettus swears the cowbell is calm and the system is bigger than one player. LSU insider Celestine "Cece" Thibodeaux just grins and points to a Tiger defense ESPN rates third in the country, asking how a first-time starter handles Death Valley.
LSU has some wounds of its own. Linebackers Whit Weeks and Charles Ross II are out, and the Tigers are still smarting from last Saturday's 35-34 overtime loss at Kentucky. Sam Leavitt (1,496 yards, 10 touchdowns) and running back Dilin Jones lead an offense that should find room. Mississippi State comes in rested after an open week, but the Tigers' pass rush against a freshman is the matchup we can't stop watching.
Our call: LSU 34, Mississippi State 18.