STARKVILLE – Dak Prescott’s rise to college football stardom started last season when the Mississippi State quarterback had one of the best performances of his career in a surprise victory over LSU in Death Valley.

The Bulldogs might need a repeat performance to knock off the Tigers again.

No. 25 Mississippi State (1-0) hosts No. 14 LSU (0-0) on Saturday in the first of what’s expected to be several premier Southeastern Conference Western Division showdowns this fall. The Bulldogs had lost 14 straight games to LSU before Prescott’s heroics last year, which included 268 yards passing, 105 yards running and three touchdowns.

A Mississippi State victory this time around wouldn’t be nearly as surprising. But it will still be very difficult.

“We have to do what we do well,” Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said.

And the best thing the Bulldogs have going for them is still Prescott, who threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns in last weekend’s season opening victory over Southern Mississippi. LSU played just five minutes of its opener against McNeese State before it was canceled due to lightning.

Because of that, LSU has a little more information on Mississippi State than vice versa.

But the Tigers didn’t need any film to tell them Prescott’s really good. They’ve seen it up close and personal.

“With guys who are a little bit stronger and can run, you definitely want to wrap up,” LSU defensive end Tashawn Bower said. “… I just remember bringing him down (last year). He was a heavy guy and I was like, ‘Geez, this is a quarterback, really?'”

By DAVID BRANDT, AP Sports Writer