STARKVILLE, Miss. — Three weeks into the season, it’s hard to find a college football team that looks more impressive than LSU.

The No. 3 Tigers finished off No. 25 Mississippi State 19-6 on Thursday night at Davis Wade Stadium, using its trademark running game and defense to slowly grind the Bulldogs into submission.

This time there was an added twist to LSU’s domination — quarterback Jarrett Lee completed 21 of 27 passes for 213 yards and a crucial touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

“I think we did the things we needed to do to win,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “I think we throw the football better than we did and I think we have pieces of the offense that are not necessarily visible. At this point, we are kind of playing to the strengths of the defense.”

Lee’s emergence makes it even harder to find any LSU (3-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) weaknesses.

The 6-foot-2, 206-pound senior is filling in for expected starter Jordan Jefferson, who was indefinitely suspended following his arrest after a bar fight in August. The Tigers haven’t missed a beat — beating Oregon in a high-profile season opener before wins over Northwestern State and now Mississippi State.

Lee hasn’t been spectacular, using mostly conservative, high-percentage throws to slowly take the Tigers downfield. But it’s been the perfect complement to LSU’s solid running game and lockdown defense.

Spencer Ware rushed for 107 yards on 22 carries against the Bulldogs. LSU’s defense had 15 tackles for a loss, including four sacks, harassing Mississippi State quarterback Chris Relf from the start.

The big plays came from all over the field. Defensive tackle Bennie Logan led the Tigers with 3Z\x tackles for loss, but he was hardly the only star. Michael Brockers had three tackles for a loss while Kendrick Adams and Anthony Johnson each added two. Eight LSU defenders had at least one tackle for a loss.