3 Reasons Why LSU Will Beat Mississippi State This Weekend

The LSU Tigers had their first agme against McNeese State canceled due to weather, so now they'll open their season Saturday night at Mississippi State. While it will be a tough test against a top 25 team, here are three reasons why LSU will beat the Bulldogs:

3) Explosive wide receivers

While the Tigers still have a big question mark at the quarterback position (what else is new), wideouts Malachi Dupre and Travis Dural are two of the best at the position in the SEC. Both have good size (6'3" and 6'2", respectively) and speed that make them elite deep threats and extremely dangerous with the ball in their hands.

2) Stifling LSU defense

LSU was bound to take a step back last year after losing so many juniors to the NFL Draft in the two seasons prior, but the defense got better as the season progressed, though, finishing 18th in yards allowed per play and third in defensive passer rating.

Defensive coordinator John Chavis left for Texas A&M, but new coordinator Kevin Steele inherits a star-studded secondary led by cornerback Tre'Davious White and safeties Jamal Adams and Jalen Mills. Linebacker Kendell Beckwith is a star, but the Tigers will be sporting a lot of unproved - though extremely talented - players up front. 

Mississippi State's offense is almost all based around what QB Dak Prescott can do, and he's an inconsistent passer at best. LSU's pass rush and secondary will give the Bulldogs MAJOR problems.

1) Leonard Fournette's dominance

Fournette got Heisman hype before he even stepped on campus in Baton Rouge this fall, and while he didn’t quite reach that level as a freshman, he was still one of the best backs in the SEC. He’ll be more heavily featured next year, and will become the focal point of LSU’s power running offense. With a year of experience under his belt against an inexperienced Mississippi State defense, Fournette should have a big nightl.

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