Game Preview: LSU Hosts Texas A&M In Critical SEC Matchup Saturday Night
1
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
No. 10 LSU returns to Tiger Stadium on Saturday night for a Top 25 SEC matchup against No. 23 Texas A&M.
Both teams enter the game looking to bounce back from disappointing conference-opening losses. LSU fell 32-24 at Ole Miss last week after rallying from a 17-point deficit, while Texas A&M suffered a 31-21 home loss to Kentucky.
Game Information
Who: No. 23 Texas A&M (2-1, 0-1 SEC) at No. 10 LSU (2-1, 0-1 SEC)
When: Saturday, September 26
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, La.
TV: ABC
Series History
LSU leads the all-time series against Texas A&M, 36-25-3, but the Aggies have won the last two meetings.
Texas A&M beat LSU 38-23 in College Station in 2024 before returning to Tiger Stadium last season and defeating the Tigers 49-25.
The two programs have split their last 10 meetings, with five wins apiece.
Betting Information
LSU enters Saturday as roughly a 9-point favorite, with the over/under sitting around 52 points. The line has moved considerably after LSU opened as only a three-point favorite.
What To Watch For
1. LSU's Offensive Line Must Give Sam Leavitt More Help
Pass protection remains one of the biggest concerns for LSU coming out of the Ole Miss game.
Sam Leavitt faced consistent pressure in Oxford, particularly early in the game, as LSU fell behind 17-0 before settling in and mounting a second-half comeback. LSU's offensive line will need a much cleaner performance against an aggressive Texas A&M defense.
Giving Leavitt time to get comfortable early could be especially important after the Tigers' offense struggled to find a rhythm during the first half last Saturday.
2. Can LSU Keep Marcel Reed Contained?
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed remains one of the biggest challenges for LSU's defense because of his ability to make plays with both his arm and legs.
Through three games, Reed has thrown for 632 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. He was especially dangerous on the ground against Kentucky, rushing for 80 yards and a touchdown despite throwing two interceptions in the loss.
LSU struggled at times to contain Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss last week, making discipline on the edges and keeping Reed from extending plays a major focus Saturday night.
3. Can LSU Start Faster?
LSU can't afford another slow start in a matchup where both teams are trying to avoid an 0-2 start in SEC play.
The Tigers fell behind Ole Miss 17-0 last week and trailed 24-7 at halftime before eventually tying the game in the fourth quarter. The comeback showed LSU can respond to adversity, but digging another early hole could be costly against Texas A&M.
Texas A&M should also arrive desperate after its upset loss to Kentucky, making the opening quarter particularly important for LSU.
Kickoff from Tiger Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.
Both teams enter the game looking to bounce back from disappointing conference-opening losses. LSU fell 32-24 at Ole Miss last week after rallying from a 17-point deficit, while Texas A&M suffered a 31-21 home loss to Kentucky.
Game Information
Who: No. 23 Texas A&M (2-1, 0-1 SEC) at No. 10 LSU (2-1, 0-1 SEC)
When: Saturday, September 26
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, La.
TV: ABC
Series History
LSU leads the all-time series against Texas A&M, 36-25-3, but the Aggies have won the last two meetings.
Texas A&M beat LSU 38-23 in College Station in 2024 before returning to Tiger Stadium last season and defeating the Tigers 49-25.
The two programs have split their last 10 meetings, with five wins apiece.
Betting Information
LSU enters Saturday as roughly a 9-point favorite, with the over/under sitting around 52 points. The line has moved considerably after LSU opened as only a three-point favorite.
What To Watch For
1. LSU's Offensive Line Must Give Sam Leavitt More Help
Pass protection remains one of the biggest concerns for LSU coming out of the Ole Miss game.
Sam Leavitt faced consistent pressure in Oxford, particularly early in the game, as LSU fell behind 17-0 before settling in and mounting a second-half comeback. LSU's offensive line will need a much cleaner performance against an aggressive Texas A&M defense.
Giving Leavitt time to get comfortable early could be especially important after the Tigers' offense struggled to find a rhythm during the first half last Saturday.
2. Can LSU Keep Marcel Reed Contained?
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed remains one of the biggest challenges for LSU's defense because of his ability to make plays with both his arm and legs.
Through three games, Reed has thrown for 632 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. He was especially dangerous on the ground against Kentucky, rushing for 80 yards and a touchdown despite throwing two interceptions in the loss.
LSU struggled at times to contain Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss last week, making discipline on the edges and keeping Reed from extending plays a major focus Saturday night.
3. Can LSU Start Faster?
LSU can't afford another slow start in a matchup where both teams are trying to avoid an 0-2 start in SEC play.
The Tigers fell behind Ole Miss 17-0 last week and trailed 24-7 at halftime before eventually tying the game in the fourth quarter. The comeback showed LSU can respond to adversity, but digging another early hole could be costly against Texas A&M.
Texas A&M should also arrive desperate after its upset loss to Kentucky, making the opening quarter particularly important for LSU.
Kickoff from Tiger Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.
Originally published on TigerDroppings.com
Popular Stories
18
Latest Headlines
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News