On paper, it’ the biggest game on the college football docket, as the 8th ranked LSU Tigers take on the 14th ranked Texas A&M Aggies in a matchup of the lone unbeaten teams in SEC play.
In College Station, some are calling this the biggest home game for Texas A&M since joining the Southeastern Conference in 2012.
This is the 63rd meeting between these two schools and the ninth time they’ve played when both were ranked and LSU has won the eight other previous meetings.
The last time they met in a Top 15 matchup was in 1987 when the sixth ranked Tigers defeated 15th ranked Texas A&M 17-3.
The winner of this game will be the only team in the SEC undefeated in league play, giving them an excellent chance of making the conference championship game. The winner will also be in excellent shape to make the 12 team college football playoff.
Tigers Coach Brian Kelly believes his players will give it all they got.
“You got to lay it on the table, the great quote, come back bloody or come back on your shield, you got to lay it on the line,” Kelly said.
On paper, LSU looks like the better team. They have the more experienced head coach, the better quarterback. Texas A&M can rush the passer, but LSU has the best pass protecting offensive line in the country.
The Aggies’ path to a win could be its ground game as the Aggies are 12th in the country in rushing the football. They have the second leading rusher in the SEC in Le’Veon Moss, who played his high school football at Istrouma in Baton Rouge.
But Kelly says his defense is improving as it continues to gain confidence.
“I think confidence breeds itself when you start making plays and those guys are playing with a lot of confidence because they’ve made a lot of plays recently and it builds their confidence and they play with a little bit of swagger now,” Kelly said.
As far as injuries go, A&M will not have its starting left guard Chase Bisontis. He suffered a lower leg injury. According to Pro Football Focus, Bisontis has allowed just one sack this season.
And LSU could finally see speedy wide out Chris Hilton return to the field. He’s missed the entire season after suffering a leg injury late in preseason camp.
“This is much more about a conditioning element relative to soft tissue, more than anything else, so we are in a pretty good position there so now this is just getting him game ready,” Kelly said.
I think LSU wins this….beating Texas A&M 23-17.
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