LSU is the top-five team, Ole Miss is the team that had 50 hung on it by Tennessee last week — and yet the Rebels are hanging in there, trailing LSU by only a field goal in Baton Rouge as the marching bands hit the field for halftime.
After an atrocious performance in Knoxville, Jeremiah Masoli has moved up to “merely mediocre” (5-of-9, 49 yards, no TDs, one pick), but tailback Brandon Bolden is carrying the offense quite nicely with a 66 yards and a score on nine carries. In what can only be viewed as a further indictment of the Rebels’ defense, the rest of the offensive stars are on LSU’s side of the field: QB Jordan Jefferson is a tidy 5-of-7 for 117 yards and no turnovers, while running back Stevan Ridley has rung up 68 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
As for your defensive stars, well, that discussion begins and ends with LSU’s Craig Loston, who effectively negated the existence of Ole Miss’ Lionel Breaux while blocking on a punt return in the second quarter. Loston may be made of pure energy, a la Dr. Manhattan in “Watchmen.” We’re looking into it.
For less theoretical musings on the game, check in with open threads at SBN’s own And The Valley Shook (LSU) and Red Cup Rebellion (Ole Miss).