No. 1 LSU hosts the hapless Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday night in Death Valley. The Hogs are 44.5 underdogs to LSU. That’s the largest point spread in the SEC in 4 decades. The biggest stat that I can find that explains why the Tigers are such heavy favorites? Auburn put up 51 points against Arkansas.
Auburn's offense is pedestrian compared to LSU’s potent offensive attack. Oh wait, Misssissippi State hung 54 points on the Razorbacks. If you’re still not sold on the fact that Arkansas’ defense is downright awful, how about the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers amassing 45 points in their matchup with Razorbacks earlier this year. Following the theme here? The Hogs defense has been castrated at nearly every turn.
Arkansas has already turned the page to next season; they’re in the midst of a search for a new head coach. For LSU the narrative has been about a defense that might end up as the fatal flaw in the post-season. Will the Purple & Gold D be the eventual undoing for the Tigers? Time will tell, but it won't be their undoing against Arkansas.
I'm not trying to be flippant or disrespectful in any way, but LSU would literally have to not show up to lose to this team. I mean that literally...they’d have to sit out...not dress or take the field for the game. That is the only way LSU could lose to this team.
Here are a couple of things to look for in the Tigers: Does LSU get a chance to play some younger players, after stockpiling a big lead over the Hogs? I think that will happen; it's just a matter of when. Look for LSU QB Joe Burrow to continue to pad his Heisman numbers. I would expect Burrow to play at least the first half against Arkansas. The very real stat line for Burrow in the first half against this defense could look like this; 22-25 380 yards and 4 touchdowns. That's a very likely stat line; that's how bad this Razorbacks defense actually is.
Prediction: LSU 62 - Arkansas 20. 44.5 points is hard to cover especially in the SEC. Just imagine LSU leading 62-13 late in the fourth quarter and Arkansas getting a garbage time touchdown to cover the massive spread, creating a push in Vegas or in sports books.
GEAUX Tigers!