October looms in SEC country, as LSU and Ole Miss get ready to clash in Oxford on Saturday. These two teams who have been consistently at the top of the SEC West the last few years are back again, in a game that will have huge implications for a SEC championship game berth, as well as a possible CFP appearance. Despite the playoffs appearing to be a longshot for two teams with an early loss, with plenty of year left and many upsets already unfolding, the Tigers and Rebs are not out of it just yet.
LSU stumbled early in similar fashion to the start of the 2022 year, with a loss to Florida State. However, this year’s loss left many more questions as the Noles won in dominating fashion. These questions were especially pestering for star QB Jayden Daniels. The Arizona State transfer was solid in the game, however, was unable to do enough to give the Tigers the win against a high powered Noles offense. Daniels threw for 346 with a touchdown and a pick, however that touchdown came with the game already out of hand. Daniels has dominated since, in a 3-0 stretch including 2 SEC wins where he has thrown for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns with just one interception.
QB1 for the Rebs, USC transfer Jaxson Dart, started the year with a bang with 334 and four touchdowns in game one. The Lane Train continued to roll through their next two opponents, with Dart playing great football along the way, until they reached the Tide. Dart was able to muster just six yards on 12 carries in a normally prolific rush offense that churned out 56 total yards. With 244 through the air and no touchdowns, the Rebs offense could not get it done after a first quarter TD, and they fell in Tuscaloosa 24-10.
The two teams meet at 6 PM ET Saturday night, and with huge implications this early in the year, it will be crucial for Dart and Ole Miss to get the run game going. If the Tigers can neutralize the rushing attack, they will have a great chance to get out of The Vaught with a win. Daniels and Dart square off with a lot on the line, as the two transfer QBs look to prove to not just their fans, but to the nation that they belong in the elite QB discussion, and their teams in the CFP race.
