Louisiana @ Ole Miss preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 6, 2010 ) UL Lafayette 21, Mississippi 43

Defense will continue to be Mississippi’s calling card as the Rebels take on Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday in their home opener. In their 41-3 victory last week against Vanderbilt, the Rebels held the Commodores to under 100 yards of total offense until the contest’s final two possessions. Mississippi led Boise State by one point entering the fourth quarter in season opener, but raced to a 20-0 halftime lead against Vanderbilt and never looked back.

It’s a good start for a Mississippi team that continues to climb the rankings and will be heavily favored against Louisiana-Lafayette. “I’m excited about a lot of things we did really well,” Rebels coach Hugh Freeze told reporters. “There are still things we have to improve on to compete in this conference, but I’m excited to be 2-0 and 1-0 in the conference.” Meanwhile, Louisiana-Lafayette cruised to a 45-6 victory over FCS representative Southern University in its season opener before dropping a 48-20 decision to Louisiana Tech last week.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: Mississippi -27.

ABOUT LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE (1-1): The Ragin’ Cajuns rank fourth in the Sun Belt Conference in rushing offense (213.0 yards per game) and fourth in total offense (463.5). Led by quarterback Terrance Broadway, Louisiana-Lafayette ranks fifth in the conference in passing (250.5) and scoring offense (32.5 ppg). The loss to Louisiana Tech was just the team’s third in 18 games under coach Mark Hudspeth.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI (2-0): Offensively, Mississippi ranks seventh nationally and third in the SEC with 377.0 passing yards per game. Quarterback Bo Wallace ranks second in the SEC and top 10 nationally in both total offense (360.5 ypg) and passing (353.5 ypg). Cody Core has adjusted well to his move to slot receiver and leads the Rebels with three touchdowns.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Rebels’ defense yields just eight points per game, which ranks fifth in the county and second in the SEC.

2. Mississippi leads the SEC and ranks second nationally with five interceptions.

3. Louisiana-Lafayette is 0-37 against SEC opponents dating to 1935.

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