No. 7 LSU has a chance for a 10-win season and a New Year’s 6 bowl berth.
Texas A&M can end a 7-game losing streak against the Tigers and tie them for second place in the SEC West in Jimbo Fisher’s first season.
There’s a lot at stake for these border rivals at Kyle Field on Saturday night.
Here are 5 bold predictions for LSU at Texas A&M:
1. Joe Burrow will have a rough night
The LSU quarterback has had a pretty steady season, but this isn’t a great circumstance for him. The Aggies can stop the run and get after the passer, and the Tigers’ receivers are mostly undependable.
The A&M defense will knock LSU off schedule and pressure Burrow, and the receivers will hand-cuff him with a couple of drops.
Burrow and Justin Jefferson will make a few plays and Burrow will make a couple of plays with his feet. But all in all it will be a tough night for LSU’s quarterback.
2. Cole Tracy will make 3 field goals
He’s a finalist for the Groza Award even though he hasn’t been able to do much recently.
After making 21 of his first 23 field goals, Tracy has had just 3 attempts, making 2, in the past three games.
In this game he’ll be a big factor when the Tigers stall in the red zone and he’ll get the same number of attempts he’s had in the past three games combined and make all three.
3. Greedy Williams will get a pick
LSU’s star cornerback has not gotten his hands on as many balls as he did last season.
He made 6 interceptions last season, but he has just 2 this season and has not had one in the past eight games.
That drought will end as he snares one of Kellen Mond’s passes.
4. LSU won’t get 125 yards rushing
A&M allows only 80 rushing yards per game and the Tigers won’t get much more than that.
The offensive line is relatively healthy, but the Aggies will be geared up to stop the run and their stout front will swarm Nick Brossette and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
5. A&M will end the losing streak
It won’t be easy in a physical, back-and-forth, relatively low-scoring battle, but the Aggies will defeat the Tigers for the first time since joining the SEC.
Texas A&M 27, LSU 23.
Les East is a New Orleans-based football writer who covers LSU for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow him on Twitter @Les_East.
