In assessing this weekend’s series against Mississippi State, LSU coach Paul Mainieri referenced the long history between the programs and their former hall of fame coaches Ron Polk and Skip Bertman.

In the here and now, the three-game set that begins Friday night in Baton Rouge is all about two teams trying to climb the Southeastern Conference standings.

Mississippi State (25-12-1, 8-7 SEC) is in third place in the West Division after being swept by Texas A&M last week. LSU (26-11, 9-6) is a game ahead of the Bulldogs in second place after winning its last three conference series to climb out of an early hole.

It’s a clash of two quality teams in need of victories

“We’re playing well right now, but Mississippi State will present a tremendous challenge,” Mainieri said in a school release. “They are one of the best offensive clubs in the SEC, and they have some very talented arms on their pitching staff. It’s going to be an outstanding matchup this weekend in front of our great Tiger fans, and we can’t wait for the series to start.”

Mainieri should be excited, considering the way LSU has handled Mississippi State over the years. It has won nine consecutive SEC series against the Bulldogs since 2006, and 20 of the last 29 games between them.

Mainieri is 23-11 in his career against Mississippi State. His team is playing well lately, too, having won 10 of its last 12 games overall and eight of the last 10 in the conference.

LSU swept Missouri on the road last weekend.

Despite that, and its three losses last week to Texas A&M, Mississippi State is coming into the series with some momentum.

The Bulldogs have won four of their first five SEC series and can get back in the West Division race with a couple of wins.

Friday night starter Dakota Hudson (4-3, 2.08 ERA) will try to get his mojo back after losing his last two starts. Hudson gave up four runs on 10 hits in a 10-3 loss to Texas A&M in his last outing.

He’ll be going against LSU ace Jared Poche (5-3, 2.63 ERA), who went six innings in his last outing against Missouri but gave up five runs on nine hits.