Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s annual rivalry between LSU and Arkansas from Fayetteville:
When: Today
Where: Fayetteville, Ark.
Game Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
Current Line: Arkansas (-2.5)
SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH PREVIEWS
- Improved Arkansas rush defense faces stiff test
- Anthony Jennings must recapture Arkansas magic
- Inside the Numbers: LSU in ground game battle, Weather plays into game
- Arkansas must re-evaluate playbook
LSU TIGERS
Players to watch:
- QB Anthony Jennings
- RB Leonard Fournette
- RB Terrence Magee
- WR Travin Dural
- DE Danielle Hunter
- DT Quentin Thomas
- LB Kendell Beckwith
- LB Kwon Alexander
- S Jalen Collins
Keys for LSU:
- Slow the run: With the way Arkansas pounds the ball, no team is going to completely stop it. However, if LSU can stymie the Razorbacks’ running game like they did to Alabama last week and force Arkansas to take to the air in crucial situations. Arkansas has lost in tight games when Brandon Allen has been forced to throw, and that should be LSU’s recipe for success as well.
- Hit on some deep balls: LSU’s offense has become extremely one-dimensional as Anthony Jennings’ completion percentage has plummeted. One of the elements that buoyed the passing offense earlier in the season, deep throws down the sidelines, has been unsuccessful of late. If Jennings can connect on some of those throws he’s been missing, it will open up the Tigers’ running game.
LSU’s glaring weakness to watch: Throwing the ball continues to be a problem for LSU. Arkansas has played very well against the run in two of its last three SEC contests, shutting down both Alabama and Mississippi State. If the Razorbacks do that to LSU, the Tigers offense is going to be lost.
Most interesting part of this game: What will LSU’s running game look like without Kenny Hilliard? LSU’s senior running back will reportedly miss the rest of the regular season with a shoulder injury, throwing a wrench into the Tigers game. They’ve been successful in part by having fresh legs late in the game, thanks to having four reliable backs to carry the ball. That number is now reduced, meaning LSU will have to trust freshman Darrel Williams if they want to find some rest for Leonard Fournette and Terrence Magee.
Team buzz: LSU suffered a major letdown last week when they let Alabama escape Tiger Stadium with a win. Les Miles is confident in his team’s ability to rebound, but that’s easier said than done. Many LSU players will be dealing with the coldest conditions they’ve ever played in, which makes this game even more intriguing.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Players to watch:
- QB Brandon Allen
- DE Trey Flowers
- WR Keon Hatcher
- S Alan Turner
- RB Alex Collins
- RB Jonathan Williams
- LB Brooks Ellis
- S Rohan Gaines
- TE AJ Derby
Keys for Arkansas:
- Stop the run. LSU leads the SEC in rushing attempts 494 this season and making sure the Tigers are kept in check on first down is a priority. Arkansas isn’t a team that’s built to play from behind, so staying within striking distance with solid play up front is key.
- Feed Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins. Both Arkansas ballcarriers have scored 10 touchdowns and have exceeded the 800-yard rushing plateau. LSU’s given up the second-most rushing yards in the SEC West
- Execute. It sounds simple enough, bit failing to convert in key situations is indicative of bad teams and has been an issue that’s plagued the Razorbacks this season.
Razorbacks’ glaring weakness to watch: The mental aspect of snapping a 17-game SEC losing streak. There’s no doubt the Razorbacks are hungry to win their first SEC game since 2012, but when it comes down to late-game execution, will Arkansas have the confidence to prevail?
Most interesting part of this game: It hasn’t received the notoriety, but the Razorbacks’ offensive line is playing at an elite level this season, opening holes for the power run game while keeping opposing defenders out of the backfield. Arkansas has given up the SEC’s fewest tackles for loss this season, a noteworthy stat when you compare LSU’s prowess in the trenches.
Team buzz: Bret Bielema’s said all week that his football team is well-prepared for a sub-freezing game in Fayetteville, one the Razorbacks are favored to win. Arkansas has lost three games to Top 10 teams by a touchdown or less this season and is hoping those experiences have prepared this team for what they’ll see from the Tigers.
