Brian Kelly stresses the need for LSU, Ole Miss to play better defense against each other

LSU and Ole Miss have played some absolute dandies in the past two years, games that have included fourth-quarter comebacks and overtime. But Tigers coach Brian Kelly wants to see one more thing from the annual rivalry game.

He wants the teams to play better defense. Sure, the 55-49 barn-burner in 2023 was fun and the 29-26 overtime contest a year ago was thrilling. But Kelly wants more.

“Well when I think of the Ole Miss games, I think of we all want to play better defense,” he said. “They’ve been great offensive games, right? I mean we made an incredible comeback and won that game in overtime. The year before it was a track meet.”

While LSU’s defense took a step forward after a truly abysmal 2023 campaign, the unit still had plenty of room for improvement. The Tigers finished ranked 61st nationally in total defense.

Ole Miss had a much more staunch unit, ranking 13th nationally. So Kelly wants to see his team catch up a bit.

“It’s a game that our fanbase loves to play, against Ole Miss,” Kelly said. “But I think we would both say that we’re looking to play championship-level defense. I think Ole Miss was closer to that last year with the group that they put together. Now it’s our job to put together a championship defense at LSU, and I think we’re closer to that.”

Chris Hilton circles Ole Miss game

As the college football season nears yet again, players are giving their takes on the upcoming season at the annual conference media days. And for LSU receiver Chris Hilton Jr., there’s one game in particular he’s looking forward to.

In a breakout session with reporters, Hilton was asked what his favorite road game is. He circled one game on the calendar.

“Ole Miss. That one’s a little personal for me, because back in ’23 we had a chance to win that game,” Hilton said. “Didn’t work out like that, so that one I’d like to go back to.”

He’ll get the chance to do so in Week 5, when the Tigers head to Oxford, Miss., to take on the Rebels. It should be a thoroughly anticipated game, with both teams coming off a near-playoff run in 2024 and looking to seal the deal this fall.

And if that 2023 contest in Oxford was any indication, this one should also be electric. Ole Miss came out victorious in a high-scoring 55-49 affair two years ago after LSU took a 49-40 lead in the fourth quarter.

In last year’s game in Baton Rouge, LSU pulled out an equally thrilling 29-26 overtime win. And there’s no love lost between the two programs, which inhabit neighboring states. But that’s not the only game the Tigers players are looking forward to.