LSU (9-2) will look to finish the regular season on a high note as they will travel to College Station to take on Texas A&M (4-7). The Tigers can’t afford to overlook Texas A&M even being the favorite heading into this matchup, before they will take on Georgia in the SEC Championship next Saturday in Atlanta. If LSU still wants to make the playoff, they have to have their focus on the Aggies first before turning their attention to next week.
LSU @ Texas A&M Game Information:
Current Records: LSU (9-2) @ Texas A&M (4-7)
Date/Time: November 26th @ 6:00 p.m. CT
Where: Kyle Field; College Station, TX.
Where to Watch: ESPN (Commentators: Play-By-Play Joe Tessitore, Analyst Greg McElroy, Reporter Katie George)
Spread: LSU (-10.0)
LSU vs. Texas A&M Series History:
LSU leads the all-time series against Texas A&M, 35-22-3. The last meeting between the two teams came last season in Baton Rouge when the Tigers stunned the Aggies, 27-24.
Previewing LSU Heading into Week 13:
LSU’s offense was able to get back on track last Saturday against UAB in their 41-10 victory in the regular season finale at Tiger Stadium. Jayden Daniels continued to show that he can be effective in both the running and passing game. Daniels would only throw seven incompletions on the night as he threw for 297 yards and a touchdown.
The junior quarterback would lead the Tigers in rushing as he racked up 12 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown. LSU’s backfield was dealing with injuries going into the UAB game as it was noted that Armoni Goodwin would be out for the year and that Josh Williams was ruled out due to an injury he suffered against Arkansas. Williams status is still up in the air as LSU will travel to take on Texas A&M to close out the regular season.
The Tiger backfield had to rely on Noah Cain and John Emery Jr. on Saturday. Cain had his best game yet with the purple and gold as he had three touchdowns and 76 yards on the ground. Emery Jr. was able to find the endzone once, but he fumbled the ball twice that cause Kelly to turn to Cain the rest of the way.
Another notable player that was absent in last Saturday’s contest was Kayshon Boutte. Boutte was not seen in that game due to having the flu. Malik Nabers was able to step up for LSU as he was the leading receiver. Nabers hauled in seven receptions for 129 yards.
On the other side of the ball, LSU continued to impress with their physical defensive presence. The Tigers were able to shut down one of the best running backs in the country, DeWayne McBride. McBride did find the endzone early, but he only had 34 total yards on the ground.
Matt House continues to impress every game as he has had an effective game plan against some of the explosive offenses in the SEC. The breakout freshman season of Harold Perkins has helped them, especially since the Tigers lost one of their key defenders in game No. 1 against Florida State in Maason Smith. The Tigers have been able to battle on defense as the secondary has stepped up in a big way throughout this difficult stretch.
Scouting LSU’s Opponent: Texas A&M
Texas A&M hasn’t had the season that they were hoping for. The Aggies were receiving a ton of preseason hype as Jimbo Fisher was able to sign the No. 1 recruiting class and they were ranked No. 6 in the preseason poll. Texas A&M is coming into the LSU contest with a record of 4-8 as they picked up their fourth win on the year against UMass, 20-3 at Kyle Field.
Texas A&M has had to deal with injuries at the quarterback position as they had to shuffle their depth chart. It is expected that freshman Conner Weigman will get the start for the Aggies. Another concern for the Texas A&M offense is the status of Devon Achane going into the game against the Tigers. Achane has missed the last two games against Auburn and UMass.
Star reciever, Evan Stewart, sat out against UMass alongside Achane. Fisher is optimistic that both Achane and Stewart will be able to see the field against LSU on Saturday night. The Aggies have struggled on offense for the majority of the season and it would help them out to get both back this weekend against a tough LSU defense.
Texas A&M has leaned on their defense throughout the 2022 campaign. The Aggies were able to force multiple turnovers against UMass. Antonio Johnson and Martrell Harris Jr. was able to knock the ball loose to flip the field for the Texas A&M offense. Harris Jr. was able to record his first career sack against UMass. The Aggie defense was able to limit the Minutemen to 168 yards of total offense.
LSU @ Texas A&M Prediction:
It can be easy to say that LSU will win this game with ease, but that is not the case as Texas A&M will want the opportunity to spoil the Tigers playoff chances before they face off against Georgia in the SEC Championship. It is looking likely that Stewart and Achane will be back for the Aggie offense.
Texas A&M’s defense has been able to shut down opponents, so LSU’s offense can’t afford to have another showing that they did last time when they went on the road against Texas A&M. LSU’s offensive line has been able to create open running lanes for their running game and they have been able to move the ball effectively against the opposing interior defensive line.
The Tiger defense will need to shut down the running game once again as Achane is one of the best playmakers in the country coming out of the backfield. The Tigers have had success against Texas A&M in this series and look for that to continue on Saturday night in another thriller.
Prediction: LSU 28, Texas A&M 20
