LSU will look to finish its regular season on a high note against a familiar foe, the Texas A&M Aggies. The 8-3 Tigers have a chance to get one step closer to winning 10 games in consecutive years. They won only six in each of the two previous seasons. Perhaps more importantly, it’s an opportunity for Jayden Daniels to cap a historic season with a win in his last game in Tiger Stadium.
Texas A&M has already fired Jimbo Fisher and is currently conducting a search for its new head coach. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the Aggies won’t come to Baton Rouge prepared to win. This rivalry has intensified since Fisher, a former LSU offensive coordinator, came to Texas A&M. The Aggies have won two of the last three meetings after going 1-8 against LSU in the previous nine contests.
A&M’s Offensive Obstacles
The Aggies will benefit from a degree of freedom without their head coach, as they truly have nothing to lose. Unfortunately, they’re likely down to their third-string quarterback. Former LSU quarterback Max Johnson stepped up after Conner Weigman went down in week four. Johnson missed last week due to injury and is listed as doubtful for this game. Now Jaylen Henderson is set to make his third career start against LSU.
The good news for Henderson is that he’ll get to face the 98th-ranked passing defense in the country. Playing LSU as a quarterback is the equivalent of joining the Alabama coaching staff as a failed head coach. The public perception of each is guaranteed to improve after the fact.
Henderson won’t lack weapons with Muhsin Muhammad III and Ainias Smith at receiver. Texas A&M also has a talented backfield that includes Baton Rouge native Le’veon Moss. The Aggie offensive line has been one of their weaker units this year, but there’s no reason to assume the LSU defensive line can take advantage of it.
The Extremes of the LSU Offense and Defense
LSU gave up almost five yards per carry and a 78% completion rate to the national powerhouse Georgia State Panthers last week. The performance of the defense was indefensible. The Tigers have continued to lose contain, escort offensive linemen to the second level, and give up easy completions all year. Every level of the defense has been exposed at times, but it all starts with the defensive line. Now is not the time to talk about changes in the off-season, so the defense will once again be asked to get enough stops to allow the offense to win the game.
Not only LSU fans, but college football fans should enjoy this Tiger offense while they can. Much has been made of Daniels’ performance this season, but Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas have both eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving this year. In fact, LSU is the only school with two players listed as finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the best receiver in the country. No slight to apparent Heisman candidate Marvin Harrison, but his numbers pale in comparison to Nabers’. They’re actually closer to Thomas’ stats.
The Aggies have a dominant defensive line with multiple NFL prospects who can pressure the quarterback. Despite their talent and depth up front, opponents have victimized them in the passing game. Both Miami and Ole Miss threw for over 370 yards against them. The secondary is A&M’s weakest defensive unit, and that does not bode well for them.
How the Game Plays Out
Both Texas A&M and LSU would like to finish the year with a positive result. After all, this will be the last SEC West game for them with the conference moving away from divisions next year. It wouldn’t be farfetched for Texas A&M to rally around their interim coach with renewed passion and energy, leading to a close game. On the other hand, several players could already be contacting other programs in search of a new home.
The most likely outcome is for the Aggies to come out swinging. At this point, they would love nothing more than to ruin a rival’s home finale. This game will be more competitive than the -11.5 (LSU) point spread would indicate, but the LSU offense will be the difference in the end.
