UPDATED, 7:10 p.m.: End of the first quarter, and LSU leads 7-0. The Tigers looked a little sleepy on offense for most of that quarter, but the big play from Thomas and then the touchdown from Nuss to Nic gets them on the board.

This year's Magnolia Bowl will have a significant say in the SEC and College Football Playoff races. LSU leads the all-time series against Ole Miss with a record of 64-42-4. Brian Kelly's LSU teams are 2-1 against the Rebels.

Surprise star Trinidad Chambliss turned in another strong quarterback performance, and the Ole Miss defense kept LSU from ever finding a rhythm as the Tigers (4-0, 1-1) dropped from the ranks of the unbeaten. Ole Miss improved to 5-0 (3-0 SEC) entering a bye week.

But its offense commanded more attention ahead of a Week 4 tune-up against Southeastern Louisiana, especially because coach Brian Kelly angrily defended the unit last Saturday, then revealed on Monday that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has spent the last few weeks battling a torso injury.

No. 4 LSU (4-0, 1-0 SEC) will take the field at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday with all eyes on a Top-15 SEC showdown against No. 13 Ole Miss. Brian Kelly

The Tigers’ defense, however, boasts a weapon unlike any other. Linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., who tormented Ole Miss as a freshman with a game-changing sack and multiple hurries, is back in his disruptive role after LSU scrapped last season’s attempt to make him a traditional inside linebacker.

Now the No. 3 Tigers (2-0) are hoping to play with more polish, especially on offense, on Saturday in their SEC opener — a home game against a reeling Florida team. Last week, the Gators (1-1) suffered a loss at home to No. 18 South Florida.

Logan Diggs, who played for LSU a couple of seasons ago, just scored against the former team. A rush straight up the gut and LSU's defense can't stop him. He falls into the end zone for the touchdown and Ole Miss goes back up two scores.

Fresh off a bye week, Florida bounced back to upset No. 9 Texas 29-21 on Saturday, ending a three-game skid that included losses to South Florida, LSU and Miami, with coach Billy Napier saying afterward that "it was a good SEC game out there today.