Aaron Murray is leaning LSU in one of Saturday’s biggest SEC openers, and his reasoning comes down to big plays, familiarity, and a quarterback battle he believes tilts toward the Tigers.
The former Georgia quarterback and current college football analyst made his pick for No. 7 LSU at No.
8 Ole Miss on his Airing It Out podcast, backing the Tigers in a game that sends LSU head coach Lane Kiffin back to Oxford after leaving the Rebels last fall. Murray said LSU’s offense should find ways to hit explosive plays and added that Kiffin’s understanding of Trinidad Chambliss could help LSU defensively.
"I do think LSU's offense is going to be able to create some explosive plays," Murray said. "I do think Lane's knowledge of Trinidad Chambliss is going to help Blake Baker and this defense put some pressure on the quarterback."
Murray also made it clear that LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt is the player he most wants to see clean things up. Leavitt has two touchdown passes and four interceptions, which ties for the most in the country, and all three of his picks last week came in the first half of a 45-14 win over Louisiana Tech. Murray wants a sharper version of the Arizona State transfer on the road.
"Sam Leavitt has to be better," Murray said. "Against a lesser opponent a week ago, he threw three interceptions. That can't happen on the road in this type of environment."
Leavitt did show what his legs can do in a 51-10 win over Clemson, when he ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns, and Murray said that part of his game may need to come back into play in Oxford.
"This is that type of game ... that you might rely on your legs a little bit more," Murray said.
Ole Miss has its own quarterback advantage to sell. Trinidad Chambliss has five touchdown passes and one interception, and Murray was glowing about what he’s seen from him.
"This dude is the ultimate eraser," Murray said. "He's the ultimate quarterback. He's got it all."
Murray also pointed to Ole Miss receiver Deuce Alexander, whom he called "maybe the fastest receiver in all of college football." That speed, he said, forces LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker into a tough decision: protect against the deep ball or commit more help to stop running back Kewan Lacy.
The Rebels’ defense, though, is where Murray sounded most uneasy. Louisville quarterback Lincoln Kienholz threw for 307 yards and ran for 69 in his first career start, and Ole Miss still escaped with a 41-38 win. That performance left Murray wary of the secondary.
"But I am concerned with this secondary," Murray said.
Even with Pete Golding now running the Ole Miss defense after serving as Kiffin’s coordinator, Murray still sided with LSU’s first-year coach in the matchup.
"I would choose Lane Kiffin and his ability to create explosive plays against a defense that he's very familiar with from being there at Ole Miss," Murray said.
Kiffin’s exit from Ole Miss came late last November, just days before the Rebels’ first College Football Playoff appearance. Murray said he didn’t like how it unfolded, but he understands why Kiffin made the move.
"I don't love the way in which it was handled, but I don't blame him for going to LSU," Murray said.
The buildup in Oxford has also included a security note, with Oxford police adding officers from New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, who will patrol downtown on horseback.
Murray also urged Ole Miss fans to keep things under control.
"You can boo, you can scream ... but when that whistle's blown, let the athletes play," Murray said.
Former LSU head coach Brian Kelly picked Ole Miss on CBS, saying, "When you go on the road in the SEC, the home crowd makes a difference."
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, with ABC carrying the game.
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