One more game to go, and we can officially flip the page to a new era of LSU football.
We know that history will be made on Saturday, and I’m not talking about Lane Kiffin. The Tigers' trip to Norman, Oklahoma, is a first for LSU football, and it is too bad it does not mean much other than pride for LSU.
Heading into the 2024 and 2025 seasons, I hoped this LSU-OU game would have college football playoff implications. That was not the case in 2024, but it does for the Sooners this year.
Oklahoma is currently ranked 8th in the CFP rankings, and if they beat the Tigers, they will most likely host a first-round playoff game the weekend of December 19th-20th.
If Oklahoma loses, it would be its third loss, and the Sooners would be out, opening the door for teams like Vanderbilt and Texas to get in.
Here are five things to watch for on what should be an eventful Saturday of college football.
1. When does the decision go down?
We should know before the 2:30 kickoff between LSU and Oklahoma whether Lane Kiffin is staying at Ole Miss. Rebels’ athletic director Keith Carter has set Saturday as the day.
I don’t see the point of this lingering anymore, so I’m expecting a decision sometime before noon.
How much of a distraction is this for LSU and the coaching staff? Probably not much of a distraction at all. Tiger Rag reported this week that Kiffin and interim head coach Frank Wilson have been talking regularly about LSU’s recruiting class.
The early signing period for college football is December 3rd through the 5th.
2. LSU is missing its best offensive lineman and others
Starting center Braelin Moore is out with an ankle injury he suffered in the first half last Saturday. DJ Chester is expected to start in his place. Offensive tackle Ory Williams also has an ankle injury and will not play, but offensive tackle
Tyree Adams is expected to return from an ankle injury suffered against Vanderbilt.
Will Adams start at left tackle or will true freshman Carrius Curne continue to start at that position.
Linebacker Whit Weeks is also probable and is expected to play about 30 snaps as he recovers from a broken ankle.
Receiver Aaron Anderson and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier are also out. Michael Van Buren will start his third straight game at quarterback.
3. Sooners look to shut down LSU’s run game
LSU is ranked last in the SEC in rush offense, averaging just 108 yards a game. Oklahoma ranks first in rush defense, allowing 81 yards a contest. Last week, the Sooners held the SEC’s best running back, Ahmad Hardy, to 57 yards rushing.
4. Can LSU stay on schedule?
A big reason why Oklahoma has one of the top defenses in the country is its ability to create negative plays as they have a fearsome defensive front. They rank first in the country in sacks, 3.7 per game, and tackles for a loss, 10 per game.
Redshirt sophomore defensive end Taylor Wein is fourth in the nation in tackles for a loss with 14, while senior defensive end Mason Thomas is sixth in the country in sacks with 6.5. But Thomas has been ruled out with an injury.
`5. Oklahoma is not great on offense
LSU won 13-10 over Western Kentucky last week, and Oklahoma won 17-6 over Missouri. This could be a low-scoring game.
The Sooners are 94th in the country in total offense, 350 yards per game, and 99th in rush offense.
Quarterback John Mateer has played well, completing 65% of his passes for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He’s also a strong runner, with 826 yards on the ground and 15 touchdowns.
I like Oklahoma to win 23-7.
Oklahoma has one of the best kickers in the nation in Tate Sandell. He has made 22 of 23 field goals. His lone miss was in week two against Michigan. Sandell will add to his Lou Groza Award candidacy with a few more field goals against the Tigers.