[Tuck4Bama]

Coaches: LSU -- Les Miles (50-25, seventh year overall; 22-4, third year at LSU). Mississippi State -- Sylvester Croom (9-25, fourth year, all at Mississippi State).

Injuries: LSU -- offensive tackle Mark Snyder (knee), out. Mississippi State -- kicker Eric Richards (foot), out.


KEEP AN EYE ON

LSU -- MATT FLYNN, QUARTERBACK: Flynn steps into the spotlight for the first time with the job fully in his grasp. A fifth-year senior, he says he has no reason to be nervous, but he'll be on national television quarterbacking a team for which expectations are high and with a new offense. Flynn's performance will affect and reflect that of the team in general. If he struggles, the Tigers might end up slopping around on a field that is likely to be wet. It will be interesting to see how much Flynn runs, given that he's fast. However, an injury to him would be disastrous. Flynn won't have to carry the Tigers tonight; just play well enough not to get them beat.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- DEREK PEGUES, FREE SAFETY/KICK RETURNER: Pegues scored one of the Bulldogs' touchdowns against LSU last season on an interception of, yep, Flynn. The real danger of Pegues is on kick returns. He averaged 23.7 on kickoff returns and 14.0 on punt returns, bringing one back 81 yards for a score last season. He'll have more room to operate with kickoffs moved to the 30 and the fact LSU probably will be kicking off often. Pegues' move to safety also has given the Bulldogs strength in the middle of the field, at least enough to prevent long touchdown runs.

LSU INSIDER- NOLA.com