Plus: Does LSU need to blitz to slow down Ole Miss?
Welcome to Between the Numbers — where we look at what the Hudl IQ data tells us about what to expect in the unexpected world of college football.
Week 3 is here and features a handful of fun chess matches. We’re going to dive into three matchups — and the data behind their most intriguing players — to get you ready. This week: Can Blake Baker’s defense slow down Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy? Does Mississippi State have a superstar quarterback? And can Youngstown State hang with FCS title favorites South Dakota State?
The Matchup
LSU vs. Ole Miss
The 2026 LSU-Ole Miss matchup has more layers than an onion.
Lane Kiffin is back in Oxford, Mississippi.
Quarterbacks Trinidad Chambliss and Sam Leavitt highlight two elite offenses.
Both teams are transfer-heavy and littered with top-end talent.
The tipping point of this matchup could be whether Blake Baker’s defense can find creative ways to slow down Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy.
Chambliss is arguably the sport’s scariest quarterback when he gets hot. A season ago, Lacy was the best running back in college football after notching 24 rushing touchdowns.
Through two games, LSU’s defense has allowed 0.6 points per drive, 2.7 net yards per play and chunk plays on fewer than 3% of the time.
One other interesting nugget: The Tigers are playing well defensively without blitzing. After two outings, LSU’s blitz percentage sits at 15.8% – a below-league-average figure.
Something might have to give against Ole Miss. I wonder if we’ll see LSU dial up more pressure to keep Chambliss and Lacy off-balance.
The Radar
Mississippi State QB Kamario Taylor
Last weekend, Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor dazzled in a big-time spot on the road against Minnesota. It’s safe to say he’s officially reached star status in Starkville.
Two games into the 2026 season, Taylor is shredding defenses with incredible efficiency. He’s completing 67.9% of his passes, averaging 15.4 yards per completion and generating pass chunk plays on over 25% of his passes.
He’s also been electric on the ground. Taylor is averaging 8.3 yards per rush and feels like a cheat code when he uses his legs on third downs.
This week, he and the Bulldogs will have another big test against South Carolina and their own dynamic quarterback, LaNorris Sellers.
Watch this game if you can. You won’t regret it.
The Player to Watch
Youngstown State QB Beau Brungard
Lost amidst the craziness of the Week 3 FBS calendar is an insanely fun FCS matchup between Youngstown State and national title challenger South Dakota State.
One player to watch is Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard.
It’s still very early in the season, but Brungard is off to a strong start passing the football.
Through three games, Brungard has a 10:1 TD:INT ratio and a 72.4% completion percentage. Even against an SEC opponent in Week 2, Brungard held his own with 243 passing yards and one touchdown.
This week, Brungard will face a great test against the Jackrabbits' defense. If he continues to play at this level, he’ll not-so-quietly be one of the more efficient and effective dual-threat quarterbacks by year’s end.
