Tenth-ranked LSU and 23rd-ranked Texas A&M meet Saturday night in Tiger Stadium in a game with unusually high stakes for September.
Both teams lost their SEC openers last week, meaning the loser will face a steep climb in the race for the SEC Championship.
A College Football Playoff berth would still be possible for the losing team, but the margin for error would become extremely small.
This will be the 65th meeting between LSU and Texas A&M and the earliest the two schools have met in a season since the Aggies joined the SEC in 2012.
The home team had won every meeting between the schools from 2017 through 2023 before Texas A&M won in Death Valley last season.
That loss also contributed to a major shakeup within LSU athletics.
The Tigers are also facing their third Top 25 opponent in four games, something LSU hasn't done since 2011.
LSU is 25-2 in its last 27 night games in Tiger Stadium. One of those two losses came against Texas A&M last season.
Enough with the history. Here are five things to watch Saturday night:
1. Marcel Reed
LSU has brought out the best in Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed.
The senior from Nashville rushed for three touchdowns in the Aggies' comeback victory over LSU in College Station in 2024.
Last year, Reed rushed for 108 yards — the only 100-yard rushing game of his career — and scored two more rushing touchdowns against the Tigers. He also threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns, although he was intercepted twice.
Reed struggled last week in A&M's 31-21 loss to Kentucky. He threw two interceptions that ended potential scoring drives, completed just 53 percent of his passes and attempted 49 throws.
He also struggled in losses to Texas and Miami at the end of last season, throwing two interceptions without a touchdown in each game.
Reed's ability to make plays when the pocket breaks down has been particularly problematic for LSU.
Whit Weeks did not play in last year's game against the Aggies. Having him on the field, along with TJ Dottery, Princewill Umanmielen, Jordan Ross and Ty Benefield, gives LSU more athleticism to contain Reed when he escapes the pocket.
2. Sam Leavitt
Leavitt could have an opportunity to bounce back against an A&M defense that allowed 408 yards to Kentucky last week.
The Aggies gave up 14 yards per pass attempt against the Wildcats and have recorded only four sacks and 14 tackles for loss through three games.
If LSU's offensive line gives Leavitt time, he has to be more consistent with his accuracy.
Incompletions are particularly costly for an LSU offense that wants to play at a fast tempo and put pressure on opposing defenses.
3. How does LSU replace Trey’Dez Green?
There is no obvious one-for-one replacement for Trey’Dez Green.
Green's season-ending injury leaves LSU without one of its biggest playmakers in the passing game.
The Tigers' leading receiver is Zavion Watkins, with 15 catches for 207 yards and two touchdowns.
But LSU will need contributions from several other players.
Trey Wilson III and Jackson Harris are the most obvious candidates to step up. Neither has scored a touchdown this season, and Wilson is averaging just 11 yards per catch.
Harris was targeted seven times last week but caught only one pass.
Kansas State transfer Jayce Brown and Illinois transfer Malik Elzy have been relatively quiet so far. Green's absence could create opportunities for both.
At tight end, Zach Grace, Malachi Thomas and Roman Mothershed are expected to share the workload.
The Aggies' secondary struggled against Kentucky, particularly in the passing game, giving up 14 yards per pass attempt.
4. Will we see changes on the offensive line?
Lane Kiffin has been clear that LSU's offensive line needs to be better and more consistent.
Kiffin said one-on-one breakdowns contributed to pressure on Leavitt in the loss to Ole Miss.
Bo Bordelon at left guard and Weston Davis at right tackle have struggled at times, so this could be a week when LSU makes some changes or gives other players more opportunities.
Sean Thompkins could see more time at tackle, while Devin Harper and William Satterwhite are options at guard.
How LSU protects Leavitt could go a long way toward determining whether the Tigers can get their offense back on track.
5. Replacing Dashawn Spears
Kiffin has repeatedly talked about the impact of losing Spears for the season with a knee injury.
Because of his combination of size and speed, Spears was a good fit at the star position in Blake Baker's defense.
Starting safety Tamarcus Cooley is expected to move to star, with Jhase Thomas taking over for Cooley at safety.
The Aggies, meanwhile, have struggled to produce explosive plays offensively and lost wide receiver Terry Bussey for the season.
Mario Carver leads A&M with 19 catches for 194 yards and two touchdowns.
Rueben Owens is the Aggies' leading rusher with 186 yards, while freshman KJ Edwards has 94 yards on just 13 carries and could see an increased workload against LSU.
Prediction
This should be a tight game with significant implications for both teams.
LSU needs to find a way to limit Reed's scrambling ability, protect Leavitt and generate enough production from its passing game without Green.
I'm expecting the Tigers to make enough plays late to win a close one.
LSU 30, Texas A&M 28.
