Is this the year Texas A&M finally beats LSU in Tiger Stadium? The Aggies have yet to do it since joining the Southeastern Conference in 2012. The Tigers are 6-0 at home against A&M since the Aggies moved to the SEC.
Texas A&M’s last win in Death Valley was in 1994 when the Aggies beat a Curley Hallman coached LSU squad 18-13.
Coincidentally, 1994 was the last time Texas A&M was 7-0.
The Aggies are ranked 3rd and are a 2.5-point favorite against LSU.
But beating LSU on Saturday night in Death Valley is difficult to do. LSU is 23-2 under Brian Kelly in Tiger Stadium, which includes a 20-1 record at night.
Here is five things to look for when LSU meets Texas A&M for the 64th time.
Can LSU handle A&M quarterback Marcel Reed?
Reed’s sudden emergence in the second half of last year’s game in College Station changed the direction of LSU’s season.
LSU was leading 17-7 in the third quarter and Reed came off the bench for an ineffective Conner Weigman and sparked a second half rally that started a three-game losing streak for LSU.
Reed only completed two passes for 70 yards, but he ran for 62 yards and three touchdowns. After the game, LSU linebacker Greg Penn said they were not prepared to face Reed, even though it was a strong possibility Reed could play based on the reports coming out of College Station that week.
Reed is the established starter this season as he’s thrown for 1,770 yards, 15 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. The sophomore from Nashville has also rushed for 241 yards and four touchdowns.
He’s completing 62% of his passes and is coming off a 280-yard, 3 touchdown performance against Arkansas.
A&M’s receivers against LSU’s cornerbacks
Texas A&M has shown they can put up a lot of points on the road. They scored 45 against Arkansas in Fayetteville last week and scored 41 points against Notre Dame in South Bend on September 13th.
The Aggies have two big play receivers, Mario Craver and Kc Concepcion.
Craver has 36 catches for 674 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Mississippi State transfer is averaging nearly 19 yards a catch.
Concepcion has 33 catches for 500 yards and ten touchdowns. The North Carolina State transfer is averaging 15 yards a catch.
LSU Coach Brian Kelly said it’s just not the vertical passing game, but it’s also the run after the catch.
This will be a great test for LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, who is considered the best corner in the country. Sophomore PJ Woodland and freshman DJ Pickett will also be tested. This trio has not allowed a touchdown this season.
Third down will be huge again
Last week, LSU knew Vanderbilt’s offense was excellent on third down, but the defense struggled to get off the field on third down.
This week, Texas A&M’s defense is one of the best on third down. In three SEC games, the Aggies have allowed opponents to convert on third down just two times on 33 attempts. That is an amazing number. LSU will need to be successful on first and second downs to avoid third and long.
Will LSU bring the physicality?
There has been a lot of talk from former players and the fan base that LSU is not physical enough under Kelly. Will they bring the physicality on Saturday night?
Kelly is demanding it. Here is what he said on his radio show on Thursday night.
“We got to go hit people in the mouth and be much more physical. And if you are much more physical, you’re going to make up for any of the small mistakes,” Kelly said.
It starts with the offensive line. And Kelly also said freshman Carius Curne will start at left tackle for the injured Tyree Adams. Kelly said earlier in the week DJ Chester would be Adams’ replacement.
Adams could miss the rest of the regular season after undergoing tightrope surgery on his injured. Maybe Kelly wants to give Curne a long look at left tackle, even though he said earlier this year that Curne is more of a guard than tackle.
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LSU must prevent Cashius Howell from being a game wrecker. The senior defensive end has 8.5 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks.
Tiger Stadium atmosphere
LSU’s loss to Vanderbilt robbed us of an unbelievable atmosphere on Saturday night as it would have been a Top 10 matchup. Instead, the Tigers find themselves in desperation mode. Another loss will eliminate LSU from the college football playoffs and calls for Brian Kelly to be fired will only get louder.
If LSU gets behind, the fan base will not be afraid to voice its displeasure and if Aggies take control in the second half, Death Valley will become a desert.
LSU rises to the occasion and beats the Aggies 31-26.