The 12th ranked LSU Tigers played a dominant brand of football last Saturday in Starkville. They jumped all over an inferior Mississippi State team and ran away with a 41-14 victory over the Bulldogs.
So, can they do it again? The oddsmakers are betting LSU will have another comfortable victory this Saturday against the Arkansas Razorbacks as the Bayou Bengals are a 17.5-point favorite.
A big reason why the Tigers coasted to an easy victory against State is that they had the right mindset. The coaching staff did a great job of preparing the team and treating the game as a business trip. Get into Starkville early, be ready for an 11 a.m. kickoff, and then get back to enjoy a Saturday night in Baton Rouge.
It all started with more intense physical practices prior to the game, which the players asked for according to coach Brian Kelly.
Based on what center Charles Turner told the media on Tuesday, it sounds like the physical practices are continuing this week.
“Just like last week, we felt like it was something that needed to be done for us to get started fast, get to playing with our feet under us from the jump, we come out and do the physical things right away and just keeping it going throughout the week,” said Turner.
Considering Mississippi State’s history of being an also-ran in the SEC, it’s hard to say the win over the Bulldogs was a statement victory. But through three weeks of the season, no team in the SEC has a more impressive road victory than LSU’s one-sided win in Starkville.
After stumbling against Florida State and Alabama’s problems at quarterback and the continued question marks at Texas A&M, it sure looks like LSU is the team to beat in the SEC West.
But all it takes is another bad performance by LSU and the questions return, so Turner and the Tigers look to avoid a let down performance against the Hogs.
“Staying on the constant grind, not getting complacent, not getting too comfortable, we feel like if we just come to work and do what we want to do every day, we’ll be back to where we want to be,” said Turner.
Arkansas is trying to pick up the pieces from a disappointing loss to BYU last Saturday. The Razorbacks committed 14 penalties and their offensive line got pushed around as they struggled to develop a consistent rushing attack and allowed four sacks.
Despite allowing 38 points to BYU, Arkansas only gave up 281 yards in total offense.
In fact, Arkansas’ defense has been stingy, only allowing 257 total yards a game and they lead the SEC in fewest yards on the ground given up, 56. That’s the fourth lowest mark in the country.
Linebacker Jaheim Thomas, a transfer from Cincinnati, is off to a great start this season with 30 tackles. He also has 4.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. Missouri transfer Trajan Jeffcoat also has four tackles for a loss. He’s a veteran who has been playing college football since 2018.
A couple of transfers from LSU have also played well for the Razorbacks defense. Defensive lineman Landon Jackson, who played for the Tigers on special teams in 2021, has six tackles for a loss and two sacks.
A former starter in LSU’s secondary, Dwight McGlothern has flourished in Fayetteville. He was a second team All-SEC selection last season and this year he already as an interception and a forced fumble, despite a turf toe injury.
The Razorbacks have had issues covering tight ends on pass plays, so maybe a healthy Mason Taylor for LSU can be an X factor on Saturday night.