Josh Pate breaks down LSU's "obvious blinking red lights" as Lane Kiffin's Ole Miss dubbed favorites ahead of Week 7 clash

The No. 13 LSU Tigers (4-1, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) host the No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels (5-1, 1-1 SEC) in Baton Rouge on Saturday. This will be one of the biggest tests of the season for both teams as each team will look to bolster their playoff resume in a loaded SEC.

The Rebels have emerged as a 3.5-point favorite on the road. They returned to winning ways with a 27-3 win over South Carolina in Week 6 after a 20-17 loss versus Kentucky at home the previous week.

College football analyst Josh Pate provided an in-depth look at the Ole Miss-LSU matchup on Josh Pate's College Football Show on Wednesday. He discussed the Tigers' red flags that makes Ole Miss favorites for the game.

"Ole Miss' passing game could shred LSU's secondary," Pate stated (1:28 mark). "We look at the offensive versus defensive profile here; Ole Miss second versus LSU 93rd. The 20-plus yard pass rate; Ole Miss also second in that, LSU 81st. So there are obvious blinking red lights here that would scream, Ole Miss if they get that passing game going, it should be a go-to for them all game."

LSU's secondary will have its work cut out for it matching up against one of the best passing offenses in the country. The Tigers could catch a break if Ole Miss' star wideout Tre Harris misses this week's game with a lower-leg injury.

Josh Pate discusses Ole Miss facing adversity this week

On the show, Pate also discussed Ole Miss' red flags ahead of the weekend's matchup. Apart from potentially being without their leading receiver, the Rebels might have a few other factors going against them.

"What if you don't have Tre Harris, though," Pate questioned (2:37 mark). "Number two, here's where LSU can turn this game: LSU is fourth in defensive pressure rate, and I try to picture Jaxson Dart doesn't have his go-to guy. Is there maybe a little more hesitation?"

Pate also acknowledged other factors going against the Rebels, as the Rebels have yet to have a week off, playing in their seventh game, as well as back-to-back weeks of travel for Lane Kiffin's team.

With or without Tre Harris, Ole Miss' passing game will have to be on-target to give the Rebels a chance in Baton Rouge this weekend. The Tigers and Rebels are scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday night.