Predictions: No. 13 LSU at Ole Miss in Week 5 Battle

Brian Kelly and Co. hit the road to Oxford to take on a gifted Ole Miss offense led by signal-caller Jaxson Dart at the helm.

For the Tigers, this program has the chance to begin SEC play 3-0 with a big-time challenge in front of them on Saturday.

Here's what to know about the matchup, three Tigers to monitor, best bets for Week 5 and a final score prediction:

What To Know Come Saturday:

The Quarterback Battle: Daniels vs. Dart

Jayden Daniels has asserted himself as the top signal-caller in the SEC with significant room for improvement. He’s taken his game to the next level after dropping the season opener to Florida State and the Tigers are reaping the benefits of their elite-level quarterback. He’s finding his groove and allowing his previous mistakes to teach him the way.

"He was not in great rhythm early [against Arkansas]. He saw that. He sensed that. The experience that he's had, to allow himself to find that rhythm that he needed, is the difference,” Kelly said on Saturday. “He made the self corrections based on the experience that he's had before."

On the other side of the field will be second-year signal caller for Ole Miss, Jaxon Dart. Dart presents a certain dynamic this LSU defense must be ready for. He can extend plays with his legs while scrambling in the pocket but also has the ability to sit in the pocket, take a hit and deliver a ball on the money.

The Daniels vs. Dart dynamic will be one to monitor given the two have a certain swagger and tenacity about them that’s meant for the bright lights of an SEC matchup in Oxford.

The Rushing Attack

Ole Miss has fallen back on sophomore running back Quinshon Judkins to carry the load of their offense time and time again. This season? The exact same scenario. Judkins totaled over 1500 yards as a freshman in 2022 and is seeing his game hit that next gear this season, even if the box score doesn’t show it. He’s a player the Tigers must circle at all times, and with LSU’s defensive front shining, it presents a key matchup for Saturday’s showdown.

As for LSU’s rushing attack, it remains a work in progress. With eight scholarship backs on roster, there are several mouths to feed, but Notre Dame transfer Logan Diggs is beginning to separate himself from the pack. The first-year Tiger has played a key role in unlocking the run-game for this program and has allowed LSU to present a balanced offensive attack over the last three weeks.

“I think it’s comprehensive,” Brian Kelly said of the success in the rushing attack. “It’s the offensive line doing a great job of combination blocks. I think the backs are running hard, with intent. We’re not looking to bounce it out. We’re low pads, taking four, five, six yards and putting ourselves in good down and distance accordingly.”

Three Tigers To Watch For:

Jayden Daniels: Quarterback

LSU will only go as far as signal-caller Jayden Daniels allows them this season, and after dropping the season opener to Florida State, the Tigers’ QB1 has been on a roll as he redeems himself.

Daniels has been as consistent as they come, completing 90/124 (72.6%) of his passes with 1,296 yards, 12 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He’s hit a different gear as SEC play took shape and has shown no signs of slowing down with his proper reads and trusting his arm. It hasn’t been perfect, but Daniels’ ability to respond has been impressive.

Come Saturday in Oxford, it’ll be all eyes on LSU’s quarterback once again in a showdown against the Rebels. It’s imperative Daniels continues utilizing the one-two punch of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas while exploiting the Ole Miss secondary. Look for Daniels to carry his success into Week 5 against a fired up Rebels group.

Whit Weeks: Linebacker

The true freshman has been the talk of the town after emerging as a key piece to the defense in Week 3 and 4. The youngster earned the nod after Omar Speights was ruled out (hip flexor) and didn’t shy away from the competition.

Fast forward to this weekend in Oxford and Weeks will look to carry his momentum into a fiery offense in the Rebels. Quarterback Jaxson Dart has the ability to use his legs while running back Quinshon Judkins will be in search of getting back on track.

For Weeks, he must man the second-level of defense and keep tabs on Dart and Judkins all night in order to slow down this potent offensive attack with Lane Kiffin at the helm.

Zy Alexander: Cornerback

It’s no secret that Kiffin is a mastermind when his program has the football in their hands and he’ll certainly rise to the occasion against LSU on Saturday. With that being said, look for Ole Miss to exploit the Tigers’ shaky secondary.

LSU will fall back on Zy Alexander to be a key piece to what they do in order to slow down Dart and Co. offensively, but the secondary as a whole must step up in this one. Ole Miss has its fair share of weapons on the outside, and in order for the Tigers to depart Oxford with a victory, slowing down the passing attack is a must.

Look for Alexander and the secondary to be put to the test on Saturday with Kiffin dialing up a scheme looking to exploit them. A coach who doesn’t shy away from trickery, the Tigers must have all hands on deck at all times.

Best Bets? Our PointsBet Sportsbook analysts have you covered:

Point Spread: LSU -2 (-110) vs. Ole Miss +2 (-110)
Money Line: LSU -135 vs. Ole Miss +115
Game Total (Over/Under): Over 67 (-110) vs. Under 67 (-110)

Both offenses in this game are incredibly explosive, as each ranks in the top 20 in EPA (expected points added) per play on the offensive side of the ball. LSU’s offense ranks sixth nationally, including 13th when passing and fourth when running the ball. The Ole Miss defense is no pushover, but we should expect to see LSU put up some points.

The Ole Miss offense ranks 19th in EPA per play and will be up against a shaky LSU defense. LSU’s defense ranks just 124th in EPA per play allowed and has struggled against both the run and the pass.

The total is quite high, but our experts’ #13 LSU vs. #20 Ole Miss predictions foresee a shootout and for the game go Over 67 (-110 at PointsBet).

When you use our link and #13 LSU vs. #20 Ole Miss picks at PointsBet, you can receive up to $1,000 in total bonus bets. No promo code is required, but you must use one of the links in the article to be eligible.

Score Prediction: LSU 38, Ole Miss 31