LSU @ Mississippi State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 20, 2014 ) Mississippi State 34, Louisiana State 29

No. 15 LSU has revenge on its mind Saturday at Mississippi State as the Tigers take the field for their belated season opener. Last week's contest against McNeese State was canceled due to lingering lightning in the area, leaving LSU without a tuneup as it tries to get payback on a Bulldogs team that pulled off a 34-29 win in Baton Rouge a season ago.

Quarterback Dak Prescott accounted for three touchdowns in that matchup as Mississippi State won at LSU for the first time since 1991 and defeated the Tigers for the first time on any field since 1999. Mississippi State racked up 570 yards of offense - the most an LSU team coached by Les Miles has ever surrendered. The Tigers missed 19 tackles in that game and must be more firm this time around, particularly with Prescott coming off a strong performance in his season debut. The senior standout passed for 237 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 72 yards and a score last week in a 34-16 victory against Southern Mississippi.

TV: 9:15 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: LSU - 4.5

ABOUT LSU (2014: 8-5): Sophomore Brandon Harris was named the starting quarterback last week after beating out junior Anthony Jennings, who started 12 games a season ago, although neither enjoyed much success in 2014. While quarterback is not a particular strength for LSU, the team is set at running back after Leonard Fournette set a Tigers freshman rushing record with 1,034 yards a year ago. LSU's defense returns starting tackles Christian LaCouture and Davon Godchaux, middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith and safety Jamal Adams.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (1-0): The Bulldogs led 14-10 at halftime in Week 1 before Prescott's 49-yard run early in the third quarter set the tone for a dominant second half. Tigers defensive lineman Tashawn Bower said of the 230-pound Prescott, who torched LSU a season ago: “I can’t imagine if he put on weight or (improved) his game speed this year." Speaking of improvement, junior defensive end A.J. Jefferson got his first career start against Southern Miss and posted a career-high seven tackles - including a fourth-down stop at the goal line - and also notched a pair of sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mississippi State has not defeated LSU in consecutive meetings since 1990 and 1991.

2. Prescott needs 22 completions to tie the school record (Wayne Madkin, 462).

3. LSU has won its last 12 season openers.

PREDICTION: Mississippi State 33, LSU 24