Ole Miss prepares for top-10 LSU matchup as SEC play begins

Ole Miss will open conference play by hosting No. 7 LSU on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, in the latest Magnolia Bowl meeting between the rivals.

The game will be the rivalry’s first top-10 matchup since 1962 and will bring College GameDay to Oxford. Ole Miss coach Pete Golding said the attention surrounding the game makes preparation especially important. “There's so much on the line just from what the game means as far as conference play and being a top-10 matchup at home with College GameDay,” Golding said. “But regardless who we play, if you don't prepare really well and practice really well and play your best game, you're probably not going to win.”

Golding said the secondary must improve after reviewing the team’s game against Charlotte, noting that some mistakes from the opening week appeared again in the second week. He also said the first two weeks increased his confidence in the offensive line’s depth, citing Patrick Kutas’ communication and Connor Howes’ continued development.

Running back Kewan Lacy said he is focused on preparation despite the significance of playing in a top-10 home matchup. He described the running back room as deeper after offseason additions and said the new pieces could make the offense more explosive. Lacy also pointed to his growing relationship with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and Chambliss’ development as a leader.

Wide receiver Deuce Alexander said the locker room has remained focused during the week. In his first season as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver, Alexander said the responsibility has reinforced his attention to preparation. Defensive tackle Will Echoles said the defense’s goal is to remain aligned from the front end to the back end and compete together.

Ole Miss enters Saturday’s game with SEC play beginning and College GameDay in Oxford.

Source: Ole Miss Athletics.