Game Projection For Thursday 9/15/11

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There’s one SEC game on the Thursday night schedule and it figures to be a dandy.  LSU will enter Scott Field owning an 11-game win streak against Mississippi State.  In fact, LSU has won 18 of its last 19 against MSU.  But in their last trip to Starkville, the Tigers needed a last-minute goal line stop to secure a victory over Dan Mullen’s first Bulldog squad, 30-26.  This one should a barnburner, too.


LSU at Mississippi State
8:00pm ET on ESPN

Why It Matters:  An MSU win would put the Bulldogs right back into the thick of the SEC West race and put a dent in LSU’s BCS title hopes.  An LSU win would further help solidify Jarrett Lee as a bankable starter and it would throw some more cold water on Mullen’s rebuilding project.

What Vegas Says:  LSU by 3.5

What We Say:  Starkville will be a madhouse.  Knowing that LSU is one of the SEC’s most vocal anti-cowbell schools, Dog fans will be sure to do a whole lotta ringing tonight.  LSU’s Lee-led offense put 40 points on Oregon two weeks ago, but that was with the benefit of four Duck turnovers.  If MSU doesn’t wet the bed early — as it did against Auburn last week — and it can get off to a hot start, Lee might have a hard time leading the Tigers back in a hostile environment.  But remember… while MSU was battling to the final second with Auburn last week, LSU was resting its starters against pushover Northwestern State.  LSU is more likely to have leg strength late than MSU.

Prediction:  MSU 24, LSU 23


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Short week, Miss. St. test LSU tonight