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No. 10 LSU vs. No. 23 Texas A&M Preview: Tigers Return to Death Valley for a Crucial SEC Test

The Who Dat Daily Staff
No. 10 LSU and No. 23 Texas A&M both enter Death Valley looking to rebound from SEC-opening losses. Here is the complete matchup breakdown, including the biggest concerns, players to watch and a final prediction.

LSU and Texas A&M meet at an early-season crossroads

BATON ROUGE — One week after a frustrating road loss in Oxford, No. 10 LSU returns to Tiger Stadium for a major SEC response game against No. 23 Texas A&M.

Both programs are 2-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play. Both are trying to keep one September loss from becoming a damaging two-game skid. LSU fell 32-24 to Ole Miss after erasing a 17-point halftime deficit, while Texas A&M was upset 31-21 by Kentucky at Kyle Field.

That makes Saturday night more than another ranked matchup. With the SEC schedule offering very little room for error, the loser will leave Baton Rouge at 0-2 in league play and face a much steeper road back into the conference and College Football Playoff races.

The atmosphere should favor LSU. The Tigers are 2-0 at home this season after beating Clemson 51-10 and Louisiana Tech 45-14. Now Lane Kiffin’s team must prove it can play a complete four-quarter game against a talented conference opponent.

LSU must build on its second-half fight at Ole Miss

LSU’s first half in Oxford was one to forget. The Tigers fell behind 17-0 and trailed 24-7 at halftime as Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss repeatedly extended drives and attacked the LSU secondary.

The response was encouraging. LSU scored 17 unanswered points, tied the game at 24 and reached the Ole Miss 6-yard line with a chance to force overtime late. Sam Leavitt scored on a quarterback keeper and delivered a 26-yard touchdown pass to Winston Watkins Jr., while Dilin Jones supplied LSU’s first touchdown on the ground.

But the comeback also revealed the central issue facing LSU: the Tigers cannot continue waiting until the second half to establish rhythm. Against Texas A&M, LSU needs quicker decisions from Leavitt, more consistent early-down rushing and better protection against an Aggies defense that still has disruptive talent despite its poor showing against Kentucky.

Through three games, LSU is averaging approximately 39.3 points and 500.7 yards per game. The Tigers have converted 56 percent of their third downs and produced 13 sacks. Those are strong overall numbers, but the Ole Miss game showed that efficiency must carry over when the opponent can match LSU’s size and speed.

Texas A&M arrives wounded but dangerous

The Aggies opened the season with dominant wins over Missouri State and Arizona State before Kentucky exposed several problems in their SEC opener.

Quarterback Marcel Reed completed 26 of 49 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown against the Wildcats. He also led Texas A&M with 80 rushing yards and a score, but two interceptions helped Kentucky seize control. Wide receiver Mario Craver was the most dependable target, producing career highs with 11 receptions for 119 yards.

Reed’s mobility will demand discipline from LSU’s pass rush. The Tigers cannot fly recklessly up the field and create escape lanes. LSU’s edge defenders must compress the pocket while the interior keeps Reed from turning broken plays into explosive runs.

Texas A&M will also be without versatile receiver and return specialist Terry Bussey, who suffered a season-ending lower-body injury on the opening kickoff against Kentucky. His absence removes one of the Aggies’ most dynamic open-field threats and increases the burden on Craver, Micah Riley and the Texas A&M running game.

Five keys to an LSU victory

1. Start fast and make Texas A&M chase the game

The Aggies are coming off a confidence-shaking home loss. An early LSU touchdown, a defensive stop and a loud Tiger Stadium crowd could create immediate pressure. LSU cannot repeat the slow start that forced it to play uphill at Ole Miss.

2. Keep Marcel Reed inside the pocket

Reed is at his most dangerous when protection breaks down and the play becomes unscripted. LSU must rush with lane integrity, force him to read the field from the pocket and take away easy quarterback runs on third down.

3. Protect Sam Leavitt

Texas A&M recorded only four sacks over its first three games, but the Aggies have enough front-seven talent to change the game if LSU becomes one-dimensional. The offensive line must give Leavitt time to attack a secondary that surrendered explosive plays to Kentucky.

4. Win third down and the red zone

LSU’s 56-percent third-down conversion rate is one of its greatest advantages. Sustaining drives will keep Reed on the sideline and allow Kiffin to maintain his full play sheet. Once inside the 20, LSU must finish with touchdowns instead of settling for field goals.

5. Take care of the football

Both teams are coming off losses that featured costly interceptions. LSU’s comeback at Ole Miss ended when Leavitt’s fourth-down pass was tipped and intercepted in the end zone. The Tigers do not need to play conservatively, but they must avoid giving Texas A&M short fields and easy momentum.

Matchups that could decide the game

LSU’s defensive front vs. Marcel Reed: LSU’s ability to pressure quarterbacks has been a strength, but Reed can punish undisciplined pursuit. Containment matters as much as sack totals.

Sam Leavitt vs. the Texas A&M secondary: Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey completed 14 of 18 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns against the Aggies. LSU should test that secondary early with play-action, tempo and throws that create yards after the catch.

Dilin Jones and LSU’s run game vs. the Aggies’ front: A dependable ground attack would prevent Texas A&M from loading up its pressure packages and would give Leavitt more favorable second- and third-down situations.

LSU’s cornerbacks vs. Mario Craver: Craver is coming off an 11-catch, 119-yard performance. LSU must tackle cleanly and prevent him from turning routine completions into drive-changing gains.

Players to watch

  • LSU QB Sam Leavitt: His response after a slow first half at Ole Miss showed toughness. Now LSU needs four quarters of efficient football from its transfer quarterback.
  • LSU RB Dilin Jones: His ability to create balance can keep the Aggies from turning the game into a pure pass-rush battle.
  • LSU WR Winston Watkins Jr.: Watkins supplied a major touchdown in the comeback at Ole Miss and could be a key vertical and space weapon.
  • Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed: He accounted for 316 total yards and two touchdowns against Kentucky, but his two interceptions were costly.
  • Texas A&M WR Mario Craver: With Bussey out, Craver becomes an even more important part of the Aggies’ passing attack.

Prediction

Texas A&M has enough talent to keep this competitive, especially if Reed escapes the pocket and the Aggies establish the run. However, LSU owns the more explosive offense, the stronger pass rush and the home-field advantage.

The Tigers should play with urgency after the Ole Miss loss. If LSU starts faster, protects Leavitt and forces Reed to win consistently from the pocket, the Tigers can pull away in the second half.

Prediction: LSU 31, Texas A&M 20.

References

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