LSU Tigers vs. Ole Miss Rebels: Start Time and Game Information for Week 7

No. 13 LSU welcomes No. 9 Ole Miss to Baton Rouge for a Top-15 showdown in Baton Rouge, all eyes on the SEC clash.

Sep 28, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Aaron Anderson (1) celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) against the South Alabama Jaguars during the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

No. 13 LSU will return to Death Valley on Oct. 12 for a showdown against the Ole Miss Rebels in a highly anticipated Southeastern Conference matchup.

Brian Kelly and Co. will head into the contest flaunting a 4-1 (1-0) record after capturing the program's fourth straight victory on Saturday over South Alabama.

The Tigers lost in Week 1 to USC, but continue trending in the right direction after victories over Nicholls State, South Carolina, UCLA and South Alabama.

Now, Kelly's program will utilize the open date this week to recover and begin game preparation for a matchup against Lane Kiffin's Ole Miss Rebels.

The Game Information: LSU Tigers vs. Ole Miss Rebels

Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ABC
City: Baton Rouge, La.
Venue: Tiger Stadium

Who must rise to the occasion for the Tigers in order to capture a victory over a Top 10 foe?

A look into three players who have become critical components to the success of No. 13 LSU:

Three Players Shining Early:

Caden Durham: Running Back

In Week 5, the Texas native was seemingly shot out of a cannon to start the showdown against South Alabama. The youngster out of the Lone Star State took control as the lead back in Week 5 and didn’t disappoint. 

On the first play of the game, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier connected with Durham on a screen pass with the track speed on full display after the reception. 

Durham turned it up field for a 71-yard touchdown to get the Tigers off to the fast start they have been eyeing all season.

But it didn’t stop there for the freshman phenom and former Top 10 running back in America.

On the following drive, Durham’s number was called once again with offensive coordinator Joe Sloan dialing up a run up the middle. The true freshman slithered through the defense for an 86-yard run to the one-yard line with Nussmeier punching it in on the following play.

Durham’s historic first half was the talk of the town after ending the first two quarters with three receptions for 89 yards and one touchdown, but his production on the ground is what has LSU intrigued at what’s to come in SEC play next week. 

He tallied 128 rushing yards on just seven attempts with an average of 18.3 yards per carry. Durham provided a spark in the backfield once again after logging 217 total yards in the first half with a pair of scores. 

Now, he looks to take control as the lead back moving forward where Kelly dove into his ascension as a player.

"I think it's a freshman that's working through that transition of understanding the playbook, the nuances of playing the game and just feeling more comfortable in everything we do. Early on it was a group of players that already had some experience he was working to leapfrog. Through his play when he was given the opportunity in , he made it happen. He earned thorough an opportunity. He's taken advantage of it," Kelly said. 

Bradyn Swinson: Defensive End

LSU defensive end Bradyn Swinson is in the midst of a breakout season for the Bayou Bengals while ranking in the Top 5 in the SEC in sacks and forced fumbles through five games.

The 6-foot-4, 250-pounder has arrived as a key piece to the defensive line for both coaches Bo Davis and Kevin Peoples this season with the one-two punch of Swinson and Sai'vion Jones on full display.

Swinson is up to 18 total tackles, six tackles for loss and five sacks with a pair of forced fumbles through the first five games of the season.

He's already taken home SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors this fall with no signs of slowing down as the meat of conference play nears.

The key point for Swinson is his ability to take pressure off of the interior defensive line. He and Jones have become a lethal tandem in college football and have emerged as one of the top duos in America as the season progresses.

For Jones, he's already up to 4.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss of his own with the 6-foot-6, 280-pounder making noise on the opposite side of Swinson.

Zavion Thomas: Return Specialist

LSU entered the 2024 season with all eyes on return specialist Zavion Thomas looking to transcend the Tigers' return game.

A Preseason First-Team All-SEC Return Specialist, Thomas received significant attention heading into the year.

Through five weeks, he's lived up to the hype and then some.

LSU has struggled on special teams during the "Brian Kelly Era" with Thomas creating a safety net on both kick and punt returns. He's showcased his shiftiness and athleticism this season with all signs pointing to the Louisiana native breaking one off for a score sooner rather than later.

Thomas has been patient and smart with the ball in his hands, but has also been a risk taker at times, which is expected from an electric player of his caliber.

The Punt Return Numbers: 8 attempts for 35 yards with an average of 4.4 yards per return.
The Kick Return Numbers: 10 attempts for 130 yards with an average of 24.2 yards per return.

Thomas has been reliable and consistent this season for the Tigers with an opportunity to carry his success into SEC play starting with Ole Miss in Week 7.

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