From both perspectives, I'll try to discuss this objectively. I'm an LSU Fan so obviously I'll start by saying that I think LSU wins this football game.

A lot has been made about how good State is, how impressive their Front 7 is, and regarding this, I don't deny. But ultimately, I don't think this game is won or lost by the LSU Offense vs. the MSU Defense. LSU will scratch enough points across at home in front of the first real hyped up crowd for a quality opponent in Death Valley in three weeks.

I think State either wins or loses the game based on how they perform on offense. The X-Factor for me is how State's OL matches up with LSU's Defensive Front. We're as green as we've been since 2008 or 2009 along the front, but where we match up well puts State at a disadvantage.

We have a more freakish version of Mingo in RS Sophomore Danielle Hunter on one side, and "Old Man" Jemauria Rasco at the other. These are disciplined players who have logged a lot of snaps in their careers already. If they play with discipline, they'll prevent Dak from breaking contain unless he bolts up the middle. I am confident that we have enough speed at LB to run him down even if that occurs.

State will not throw on LSU. We have a deeper, more talented Secondary across the Board at every position in the defensive backfield. Last year, State made a game in the 1st half by finding a favorable matchup at Davis Wade. By using multi-receiver sets with Jameon Lewis in the slot, Chavis was exposed a bit as we had Loston or OLB Lamin Barrow in coverage as we didn't trust our Nickel/Dime coverages/personnel at that point in the season. This was also just after the UGA game, so our Secondary was still in flux at that time.

In the 2nd half, we made the adjustment to take the slower LB/S off Lewis, and State was totally throttled.

This year, LSU's Nickel and Dime personnel DB's are all freaks. They can cover. They can support the run. Multi-Receiver sets are not going to make us flinch. Jalen Mills at Safety is a former Freshman All-American at CB. Our other former Freshman All-American CB is now our Nickel Back as he's been passed up by Jalen Collins for the starting CB opposite of our other Freshman All-SEC CB, Soph Tre'Davious White.

When we see multi-receiver, we'll sub to a 4-2-5, with Kwon Alexander at OLB spying on Prescott. If our Ends play with discipline, I truly think State will struggle greatly. This is because Dak's not going to have anyone to chuck it to.

If you run base or run-heavy sets, we'll be content with our back 4 and swarm to the football, and I think we can hold your run-game down.

The key to this game will be whether or not State can take advantage of run opportunities from the QB position. If our DE's don't play disciplined-and our game last year against JFF has proven we are more than capable in that department-then we can give up chunks, State can move the sticks, and we can be had.

But, if we play to form on D, State will have great trouble moving the football. If they do, they'll turn that defense back out onto the field. LSU has enough firepower on offense in the trenches to wear down a good front, and our QB and playcaller is good enough to take advantage of the big talent disparity between our WR's and your DB's.

Gonna be a good game. I think LSU pulls away late. 34-20, LSU.