http://www.sunherald.com/sports/story/961169.html
No one was more impressed with LSU’s comeback victory over Troy than Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt. At least no one within the Oxford city limits.
“Physically, they wore them down and did a good job of running the football,” Nutt said.
LSU rallied from a 31-3 deficit to slip past Troy 40-31 on Saturday night at Tiger Stadium. It was the biggest comeback in LSU history. Ole Miss, meanwhile, was leaving nothing to chance against Louisiana-Monroe. The Rebels destroyed UL-M to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2003, winning 59-0 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Ole Miss (6-4, 3-3 in the SEC) faces traditional rival LSU (7-3, 3-3) on Saturday afternoon in Baton Rouge. The winner will claim second place in the SEC West heading into the final week of regular-season play.
“We’ve got to be physical in a game like this,” Nutt said, “and everybody’s got to have their best week of practice. We know the kind of atmosphere we’re going into.”
Ole Miss is looking for its first victory over LSU since 2001, Eli Manning’s first year as the Rebels’ starting quarterback. The Rebels came close to a monumental upset on their last trip to LSU, when Ed Orgeron was the Ole Miss coach. The Tigers overcame a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win 23-20 in overtime.
Nutt’s Arkansas squad upset LSU last year in Baton Rouge, winning 50-48 in three overtimes. Nutt went 4-6 against LSU in his 10 seasons with the Razorbacks.
“They always look the same to me,” Nutt said. “They’ve got some awfully good football players. Defensively, they don’t give up much. There’s times when they don’t give up anything. Their offensive line comes off the ball with a great pad level, and their backs are tough. Very strong.”
The Rebels became bowl eligible for the first time in five years on Saturday, reaching one of the goals Nutt set for his team from the outset. They’ll get a chance to strengthen their bowl position in their final two regular-season games against LSU and Mississippi State.
SunHerald
11/18/08
