Q: After a hot start to the season and then a loss at Georgia, can you evaluate LSU so far this year?
A: The “hot start” can be misleading, seeing as the Tigers played two awful cupcakes and two mediocre teams before the shootout in Athens. The offense has improved drastically under Cam Cameron and continues to debut new wrinkles as each week develops, much to the delight of Tiger fans who were starved for an aerial pass attack. On the other hand, the defense seems to be regressing as youth and inexperience seems to be catching up with John Chavis’s unit. It seems as if the Tigers will be able to score in bunches, but will hinge on just a few defensive stops to close out games as the year progresses.
Q: Even with the conference loss, if LSU wins out, they could represent the West in the SEC title game. Do you think this is a probable feat?
A: At this point, no. After watching the Georgia offense have its way with every facet of the Tiger defense and with the rise of offenses in the conference, I can’t see LSU escaping the rest of its slate undefeated, especially with trips to Tuscaloosa and Oxford on the docket. Add in a visit from Johnny Football, and I can legitimately see the Tigers dropping three more games if the defense plays as it did last week.
Q: There have been many questions swarming LSU’s defense. With players like Therald Simon, Barkevious Mingo, Sam Montgomery, Eric Reid and Kevin Minter declaring for the NFL draft, how do the Tigers refresh a depleted defense? 
A: Well, it hasn’t been replenished very well thus far. Defensive tackles Ego Ferguson and Anthony Johnson haven’t lived up to astronomical preseason expectations and a soft, young secondary has been violently exploited. Add in linebackers who haven’t been up to snuff, and the problems are littered throughout the unit. People will point to Georgia’s explosive offense as a reason, but I point them to the Auburn game where the defense was abysmal in the second half as Nick Marshall burned the secondary for three deep balls, and Tre Mason had his way on the ground. Even earlier in the season, the Tigers had a difficult time containing TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin as he ran roughshod over them.
Q: In last week’s loss, LSU surrendered over 40 points for the first time since 2008, and it seems as if LSU has not applied the same pressure on the quarterback this year unlike in John Chavis’s previous defenses. What kind of concern has this presented, and what is the solution?
A: Last week, LSU had zero quarterback hurries on Aaron Murray. I didn’t know that was possible for a high-level college football team. As I mentioned before, Ferguson and Johnson haven’t handled the constant attention very well, and a constant rotation of inexperienced defensive ends has made any pass rush nonexistent. Jordan Allen has surprised at the end, along with Danielle Hunter, and if the two can get hot again, the Tigers could salvage some form of pocket pressure.
Q: How has Zach Mettenberger progressed under new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron?
A: Plain and simple, Mettenberger is a different player. He looks so calm and collected in the pocket and seems to be the only player who commands the attention of his teammates as a leader. He’s got two NFL-caliber receivers in Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. and a punishing running back in Jeremy Hill to complement his newfound confidence. With the exception of a few throw aways, I can’t recall many off-course throws or bad decisions. People have pegged him as a dark horse Heisman candidate, and with the way he’s playing now, it’s hard to disagree.
Q: Even though LSU has won 19 of the last 20 meetings, how do LSU fans view this series against MSU?
A: LSU fans view anyone that’s not named Alabama as an inferior opponent and don’t pay them much attention. Much is the case with Mississippi State. There’s no reasoning with the so-called “greatest fans in the nation” on that, but last week’s loss may have jarred a few from their weird way of thinking.
Q: All right, prediction time. Who do you see coming out with a win?
A: It’s weird, seeing as this will be the first time LSU goes on the road for a second consecutive week in more than a season. Mississippi State has the defense to quell the freight train that has become the LSU offense, but I’m not sure Tyler Russell or Dak Prescott have enough in the tank to keep pace with the offense, even when the Tigers may be less-than-stellar. Look for a close first half, but I think LSU pulls away early in the second half for a comfortable 38-24 win.