These four LSU Tigers will have an outsized impact against the Ole Miss Rebels this weekend.
The LSU Tigers have one of the most anticipated games in school history coming up this weekend against the Ole Miss Rebels. Lane Kiffin has his squad 2-0 after his first two games, but this is going to be a new level of competition.
The first week saw them come out strong against the Clemson Tigers, but they had a slow start against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs last weekend. They'll need to repeat that first performance if they want to leave Oxford with a win.
Here are a couple of the players who are X-Factors in this game for LSU:
EDGE Princewill Umanmielen
This is an obvious one, but how could Umanmielen not be highlighted after his performances in the first two weeks? The pass rusher leads the nation in sacks with five, which is more than the Tigers' team leader had last season (Harold Perkins had four).
Blake Baker’s defense was already elite last season, and that was without a consistent pass rush. The presence of Umanmielen, and Jordan Ross, has taken this unit up to another level.
Sam Leavitt's Decision Making
Leavitt had a poor showing in that first half against the Bulldogs. There is simply no way to put it. He’ll need to take much better care of the ball this week.
The Rebels offense is much less likely to let the Tigers stick around if they turn the ball over four times in the first half again. Leavitt is a gamer and that comes with its risks, but those risks need to be more calculated.
S Dashawn Spears
Spears is a do-it-all player. He has the size, speed and athleticism to make an impact in all phases on defense. He has moved into the STAR role this season, which is an important role when facing this Ole Miss offense.
The Rebels are running a very similar system to what they were last year under Kiffin, that was a goal. Spears is going to need to have his head on a swivel as they’ll be trying to scheme guys open and get them a ball a few ways. With Kewan Lacy returning at running back, the Tigers will need the run defense at that level.
WR Winston Watkins Jr.
Speaking of the slot, Louisville Cardinals wideout Tre Richardson dominated the Rebels from there in Week 1. He also had a house call on a jet sweep. Watkins has been an early favorite weapon of both Kiffin and Leavitt, so expect to see them try to replicate that success.
Ole Miss should probably be known for their defense with Peter Golding at the helm, but it certainly looked beatable against the Cardinals.
