Here’s everything you need to know about Thursday’s game between LSU and Texas A&M.

When: Thursday, Nov. 27
Where: College Station, Texas
Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
Current Line: LSU (-3)

Game Buzz: One of these teams is going to lose five regular-season games. Yes, it comes in one of the best college football divisions in SEC history. But 7-5 is a disappointment at either university. The winner, though, could finish tied for third in the SEC West with an opportunity to get to nine wins with a bowl victory. The two schools now seem to square off for stud recruits pretty often, so the winner also gets valuable marketing equity. Both teams entered the season young, but a win for Texas A&M is more important so coach Kevin Sumlin can avoid a dreadful 2-5 SEC finish.

SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH PREVIEWS

LSU TIGERS

Players to watch:

  • QB Anthony Jennings
  • RB Leonard Fournette
  • RB Terrence Magee
  • WR Travin Dural
  • OL La’el Collins
  • DE Danielle Hunter
  • DB Jalen Collins
  • DB Jalen Mills
  • DB Tre’Davious White

Keys for LSU:

  • Bring some pressure: LSU’s defensive front is talented, and they’ll have to disrupt Texas A&M quarterback Kyle Allen as much as possible. They might not necessarily bring him down — A&M has only allowed 22 sacks this season — but hurrying the freshman quarterback is a big part of disrupting the offense.
  • Stick to your guns: There’s been some talk from LSU QB Anthony Jennings this week about LSU attempting to throw deep against Texas A&M’s porous pass defense, but the Tigers are a very good running team going up against a bad run defense. With the way the Aggies tackle, pounding the ball into the line should yield positive results.

Glaring weakness to watch: Passing the ball. Most teams are able to throw at will against Texas A&M, but LSU is not most teams. The Tigers’ 49.4 completion percentage ranks 122nd in the country, and they’re 169 yards per game average is buoyed by a few big games early in the year.

Most interesting part of the game: LSU’s defensive backs vs. Texas A&M’s receivers. The Aggies receiving corps is big, physical and athletic. Will LSU’s talented, albeit thinned-out secondary be able to contend with them?

Team buzz: In what has become clear as a rebuilding year, LSU is still on the verge of an eight-win regular season despite all of the offensive shortcomings. Fans are clamoring to get a look at the future in quarterback Brandon Harris, but Les Miles hasn’t fully committed to giving the freshman playing time and it’ll likely be the same crew that was shutout by Arkansas that takes to the gridiron at Kyle Field. The young defense is ready to compete today, though, and they’ll be a big part of the reason if LSU is able to avoid a fifth regular-season loss.

TEXAS A&M AGGIES

Players to watch:

  • QB Kyle Allen
  • WR Malcome Kennedy
  • WR/KR Speedy Noil
  • WR Josh Reynolds
  • DE Myles Garrett
  • CB Deshazor Everett

Keys for Texas A&M:

  • Pursue a semblance of offensive balance. The afterthought running backs do average 4.6 yards per carry this season. LSU’s defense is particularly adept at stopping spread offenses in the passing game with a slew of strong defensive backs. Texas A&M usually throws to set up the run, and a disappointing offensive line hasn’t been good enough to bully SEC defenses. But some steady ground game success against the Tigers would help.
  • Find Travin Dural. The deep threat leads the team in every category and accounts for a huge percentage of the team’s catches (29.4 percent), receiving yards (40.2 percent) and receiving touchdowns (46.7 percent). If A&M’s secondary accomplishes anything, putting a vice grip on Dural should be it.
  • Use LSU’s tricks against it. For many years, the Tigers picked off SEC teams in close games with special teams excellence. A&M’s combination of returners (Speedy Noil, Trey Williams), punter (Drew Kaser) and placekicker (Josh Lambo) is as good as any in the conference. If the game is close, the Aggies may get a huge benefit by making a huge play or two on special teams.

Glaring weakness to watch: Run defense. Texas A&M allows more than 200 rushing yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry. Not good against an offense that loves to line up and smack you in the mouth.

Most interesting part of the game: Myles Garrett vs. the touted LSU offensive tackles is an interesting matchup. Garrett should provide a cornerstone for whomever is coaching that side of the ball next year for Texas A&M. Speaking of which…

Team buzz: … Is this defensive coordinator Mark Snyder’s last game with the Aggies? Reports indicate the answer is probably. Despite buzz and hype in spades, this program hasn’t won anything of significance since knocking off No. 1 Alabama in 2012. Without major changes, Texas A&M can’t compete for an SEC West title. It doesn’t help that the offense backslid in October and November, but the defense has been consistently bad — or worse — for two seasons now. A loss here also would give A&M three consecutive defeats at Kyle Field.