LSU football beat Mississippi State on Saturday afternoon, earning a 31-0 win in Tiger Stadium. LSU's defense pitched a shutout and responded after a rough performance at Kentucky last week. The offense did its job, too, as QB Sam Leavitt tossed four touchdowns.

LSU RB Dilin Jones had a big day, totaling 142 yards and making an impact on the ground and through the air. Jackson Harris was LSU's leading wideout, catching six passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns.

LSU needed this win. With two losses on the record, LSU needs to win out if it wants a shot at the College Football Playoff. There's a chance an SEC team can sneak in at 9-3, but 10-2 would make LSU a lock.

The Tigers travel to face Auburn next week. If LSU wins there, Lane Kiffin and Co. will take a 6-2 record into November, where LSU will get to play three of four games at home.

Here are five takeaways from LSU's win over Mississippi State.

LSU QB Sam Leavitt was at his best

This was Sam Leavitt's best game in an LSU uniform. The Tigers' QB played a clean game while throwing four touchdowns. This was Leavitt's first game at LSU without a turnover, and though most of Leavitt's interceptions haven't been his fault, it was good to see him play a game without throwing a pick.

Leavitt was 31/38 for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Leavitt's hamstring still wasn't at full strength, so he had to operate from the pocket again, where he continued to show development as a passer. Early in the year, Leavitt was making plays, but he looked unsettled. Leavitt is playing with confidence now, and he's in command of the offense.

If this is the Leavitt LSU gets for the rest of the year, then LSU will contend for a spot in the CFP.

Injuries continue to pile up

LSU entered the week already having lost safety Da'Shawn Spears for the year, with Whit Weeks and Trey'Dez Green also sidelined for all of October. The injuries continued to pile up on Saturday. Star defensive end Princewill Umanmielen left the game and didn't return. Jackson Harris limped off, too, and didn't return. Umanmielen and Harris are both impact players, and LSU can't afford to lose either for an extended period.

LSU has a bye week in two weeks. It can't come soon enough for LSU, but the Tigers have to play a road game at Auburn first. If LSU is short-handed next week, young players will have to step up.

LSU's defense responded

LSU's defense played its worst game of the season last week, allowing 35 points at Kentucky. Blake Baker's unit responded on Saturday. Yes, the Mississippi State offense was missing key players, but LSU did what elite units should do vs. shorthanded teams.

LSU held Miss State QB Parker Puckett to 4.7 yards per attempt. Mississippi State picked up 18 first downs, but the Bulldogs were 7/20 on late downs.

The LSU front seven was active, creating havoc in the Mississippi State backfield. LSU will still need to prove it can beat a good offense, but this was a solid performance from the defense today.

Big day for LSU DE Jordan Ross

LSU defensive end Jordan Ross came to play. The pass rusher logged five pressures and two sacks. Ross was a key part of LSU's transfer class. He won SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his effort vs. Clemson in Week 1, and since then, he's continued to produce. With Umanmielen exiting the game, LSU needed Ross to have a big day, and he did.

LSU's dominance vs. Mississippi State continues

LSU registered its 76th win over Mississippi State on Saturday. That's more than LSU has beaten any other opponent in program history. Since the SEC expanded in 1992, LSU is 29-4 vs. Mississippi State. This was also LSU's first shutout of an SEC school since the Tigers blanked Mississippi State in 2007.