GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Defense was a train wreck for Ole Miss for three weeks, but the Rebels showed a pulse against Kent State, dominating the Golden Flashes’ offensive line. DE Markel Winters was a big part of that, but so was third-year sophomore Charles Wiley, another seldom-used third-year sophomore who has moved around from end to tackle. Against Kent State his quickness inside was an asset. The same was said for junior college transfer Tariqious Tisdale (6-5, 280) a defensive end who played most tackle against Kent State. As good as the results were — Wiley added 2 1/2 sacks and three tackles for loss — it’s not a given that coach Matt Luke and defensive coordinator Wesley McGriff will stick with quickness against LSU. Quickness is only an asset in obvious passing situations, Luke said. If the Tigers start to pound there could be problems.
It’s unlikely that Ole Miss will be able to dominate the LSU offensive line the way they did Kent State’s, but if the Rebels can get half the pressure against the Tigers that they did against the Golden Flashes they could seriously disrupt quarterback Joe Burrow, the Ohio State transfer, who is completing just 49.1 percent of his passes. Burrow, though, hasn’t thrown an interception, and if he is protected he’ll likely find open targets against an Ole Miss secondary that was down three starters last week.
ROSTER REPORT
–CB Ken Webster is probable. Webster, a key component in the secondary, has been bothered by a hamstring since he injured it in camp. He could have been used in an emergency situation last week, Luke said.
–WR A.J. Brown is expected to play. Brown pulled a hamstring in camp, and the issue reappeared against Kent State causing him to miss some snaps. He’ll be limited during the week.
–QB Jordan Ta’amu will be limited during the week but is expected to play. Ta’amu took a hit on his non-throwing shoulder against Alabama then took one on his right shoulder — his throwing one — against Kent State. He stayed in the game and threw for 442 yards.
–LB Josh Clarke is out. Clarke was a spring-time starter who tumbled down the depth chart in August only to rise again. He started against Kent State and lasted just a handful of plays before suffering a high-ankle sprain.
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