LSU and Ole Miss have played each other more than 100 times.It’s such a significant rivalry that the Southeastern Conference (SEC) reportedly has designated it to continue annually even as the conference transitions to a nine-game league schedule next season.And it’s as significant as ever as the No. 4 Tigers (4-0, 1-0) face the No. 13 Rebels (4-0, 2-0) on Saturday in Oxford, Miss.The home team has won a very close game in each of the last two meetings. LSU won 29-26 last season while Ole Miss won 55-49 two years ago, outgaining the Tigers 706 – 637.”You feel better about those games because you’re taking a defense that you know can stand up against the environment,” Tigers coach Brian Kelly said.Since that loss two years ago, Kelly has brought in a new defensive coordinator (Blake Baker) and transformed the roster through recruiting and the transfer portal.”We’re a much more cohesive group,” Kelly said. “The roster’s better. The players are better. … We bring a defense with us now.”LSU ranks No. 9 in the country in scoring defense (9.25 points per game) and No. 17 in total defense (246.2 yards per game).”They’re the best they’ve been on defense since we played them,” Rebels sixth-year head coach Lane Kiffin said. “I think the second year in a system defensively helps a lot of times, and they’ve improved their personnel also.”Kiffin’s offense will test Kelly’s defense more than anyone else this season. Ole Miss is No. 9 in the country in total offense (543 yards per game) and No. 12 in scoring (44.8).”Their tempo is the best in the league,” Kelly said. “You have to get lined up and in some instances, it keeps you from doing too much. You’ve got to get your cleats in the ground. You’ve got to be fundamentally sound.”
