Ed Orgeron’s chances of becoming LSU’s full-time coach took a hit with last week’s loss to top-ranked Alabama.
Now he faces a challenge that has plagued the Tigers the last few years: avoiding a late-season collapse after losing to the arch-rival.
It’s something that played a major role in Les Miles’ firing, especially last season when the Alabama loss started a three-game losing streak that nearly got the coach canned then. The Tigers have lost to Arkansas by 17 points after falling to Alabama each of the last two seasons, and now they have to refocus with the Razorbacks hosting them in Fayetteville this weekend.
“It has been a challenge,” Orgeron said during Wednesday’s SEC coaching teleconference. “We have had a drop off after Bama, but we are trying to change that. It’s about keeping the energy up. We respect Arkansas, know how good they are.”
Arkansas seems to have turned its season around after thrashing then-No. 11 Florida last weekend. Orgeron said his team needs to establish the rushing attack of Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice against a defense that gave up just 0.9 yards per carry to the Gators.
No. 24 LSU (5-3, 3-2) meets No. 25 Arkansas (6-3, 2-3) at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
