LSU @ Ole Miss preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 17, 2012 ) Mississippi 35, Louisiana State 41

As its annual showdown with No. 1 Alabama begins to appear on the horizon, LSU needs its young defense to mature quickly. The No. 8 Tigers will try to take the next step when they visit Mississippi on Saturday in their final FBS game before visiting the Crimson Tide on Nov. 9. "I feel like this week will be a good test for us, but it’s going to show how well our defense improved from last week,” defensive tackle Ego Ferguson said after LSU's 17-6 victory over No. 22 Florida.

The Tigers had eight defensive players selected in the 2013 NFL draft, but the young unit hasn't yielded a touchdown in six quarters. "Our guys did a tremendous job and I'm proud and it was fun watching them play again," defensive coordinator John Chavis told reporters after the Florida game. The Rebels led No. 7 Texas A&M by seven with less than four minutes remaining before falling 41-38 to Johnny Manziel and the Aggies for their third consecutive loss after starting 3-0, and will face LSU at far less than full strength - especially on defense.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN2. LINE: LSU -7.5.

ABOUT LSU (6-1, 3-1 SEC): As the defense continues to gel, the Tigers - led by quarterback Zach Mettenberger (66.7 percent completion rate, 15 touchdowns, two interceptions) - are 15th in the nation in scoring at 41.4 points under offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. While sophomore running back Jeremy Hill (715 yards, nine touchdowns, 7.3 yards per carry) is second in the SEC at 119.2 yards per game, Mettenberger has two of the SEC's top receivers in Jarvis Landry (46 catches, 674 yards, seven touchdowns) and Odell Beckham (37, 733, six). Cornerback Jalen Mills leads the team with two interceptions and 19 solo tackles.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI (3-3, 1-3): The Rebels will be without several key players including linebacker Serderius Bryant (concussion) and his team-leading 55 tackles, and freshman Robert Nkemdiche (hamstring), who has started every game either at defensive end or defensive tackle. Running back Jeff Scott, a 5-7, 167-pound senior who leads the team with 434 yards, is questionable after leaving the Texas A&M game with a thigh bruise. Quarterback Bo Wallace (59.4 percent completion rate, nine touchdowns, three interceptions) threw for 301 yards and three TDs against the Aggies and will need a similar effort if Mississippi is to pull the upset.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mettenberger's 15 touchdowns and 1,890 passing yards are the most through seven games in LSU history.

2. Mississippi, which is playing the second of a school-record six straight home games, last defeated a top 10 team when it knocked off LSU 25-23 in 2009.

3. The Tigers and Rebels are meeting for the 102nd time, with LSU holding a 58-39-4 series lead and riding a three-game winning streak, including a 41-35 victory in 2012.

PREDICTION: LSU 28, Mississippi 20