Saturday night’s matchup between No. 10 LSU and No. 23 Texas A&M is a chance for both teams to bounce back from disappointing losses.
It’s also an opportunity for both starting quarterbacks to respond after uneven performances last week.
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt wasn’t the primary reason the Tigers lost 32-24 at Ole Miss, but he missed several throws that could have made a difference in the outcome.
LSU coach Lane Kiffin said Wednesday there were several factors that contributed to Leavitt’s struggles in Oxford, including the hostile environment and protection issues.
“We didn’t protect really well around him, crowd noise, music being played all the way through the snap, when the center’s hand on the ball, again and again, those things will help you struggle at quarterback and false starts,” Kiffin said. “So there are a lot of things to improve on around him and he’ll do better and play better this week.”
Leavitt will also be without one of his favorite targets.
As expected, tight end Trey’Dez Green has been ruled out of Saturday’s game because of a lower-leg injury suffered in the loss to Ole Miss.
Leavitt will face a Texas A&M defense that gave up 408 total yards in last week’s 31-21 upset loss to Kentucky.
The Wildcats completed just 14 passes, but they made them count, averaging 14 yards per completion.
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed also struggled against Kentucky.
Reed attempted 49 passes but completed just 26 for 236 yards and a touchdown. He threw two interceptions, including one in the first quarter and another in the fourth that ended a promising Aggies’ drives.
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said his team has spent the week focused on correcting those mistakes.
“Your ability to go back to work and commit to the process is what it takes to find success,” Elko said. “So the boys went back at it this week and we're excited to get out there on Saturday and prove that wasn't us last week.”
LSU has brought out some of Reed’s best performances.
In 2024, Reed came off the bench to rush for three touchdowns as Texas A&M rallied to beat the Tigers.
Last season, Reed rushed for more than 100 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns in the Aggies’ 49-25 victory over LSU in Tiger Stadium. It was Texas A&M’s first win at LSU since 1994 and ended Brian Kelly’s tenure as the Tigers’ head coach.
Reed could face an LSU defense that is shorthanded.
Safety DaShawn Spears has already been lost for the season with a knee injury.
In Wednesday night’s SEC availability report, cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson is listed as doubtful after making a key interception against Ole Miss.
Safety Tamarcus Cooley is listed as questionable. If he is healthy enough to play, Cooley could replace Spears at the star position.
With both teams coming off losses, Saturday night’s game will be an early test of how quickly LSU and Texas A&M can respond—and whether their quarterbacks can deliver bounce-back performances.
LSU and Texas A&M kick off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.
