I covered the Mississippi State-LSU game last night. Just a few things that I observed at this still early-point in the season. Some Ole Miss-Vanderbilt links too.

LSU, not surprisingly, has lots of team speed on defense, but it's more than just speed. They have good cover guys, and they're talented in the fronst seven too.

I didn't think State would approach the offensive numbers it did in the first two games against Mephis and Auburn, but LSU really did a number on Vick Ballard. The MSU running back entered the game as the SEC's leading rusher with 150.5 yards a game and was held to 38 yards on 10 carries.

Some in the MSU camp were concerned that Ballard had only 10 attempts, but a trend had been established. State couldn't run the ball. The Bulldogs were dealing with injuries on the offensive line, but this was more about LSU than State's OL. LSU finished with 15 tackles for loss.

Offensively for LSU, quarterback Jarrett Lee had a very effective night, going 21-for-27 with a touchdown and an interception late in the game. He worked the sidelines and didn't take any unnecessary risks. Fourteen of his completions went to two receivers - junior Rueben Randle and true freshman Odell Beckham Jr. Randle, of course, is a known commodity, but Beckham is not, and he showed poise beyond his age.

Elsewhere ...

Vanderbilt gave up seven sacks against UConn, a figure new coach James Franklin really wants to see reduced Saturday against Ole Miss. The Rebels have just two sacks this season.

Speaking of Vandy, it's been clear since his hiring that Franklin only wants to discuss the future of Vanderbilt football, not the past.

Maybe it's just a coincidence, though, that Vandy DT Rob Lohr couldn't remember anything about the Commodores game against Ole Miss last year - even though Vandy won 28-14 in Oxford. What made it more peculiar was that Lohr had a career-high six tackles with a half sack. "It was a long time ago," Lohr said.

From the mother ship, more on Vanderbilt here.