Texas A&M at LSU – College Football Predictions
The Game
Two solid SEC teams go head-to-head under the lights in Baton Rouge Saturday nights as Texas A&M visits LSU. Both of these teams are theoretically playing for a better bowl assignment and there is not a ton of hatred between the two teams so it will be interesting to if the players are geeked up. The atmosphere will certainly help. LSU has won five of the last six games since the DEBACLE vs Troy whilst the Aggies have bagged 7 wins although they have lost to every decent team they have played (exception: S Carolina).
The Details
LSU -10 Texas A&M (51)
MEGALOCKS LINE – LSU -10
Sagarin Ratings – LSU -8
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: LSU 30.5 Texas A&M 20.5
Massey Ratings Projected Score: LSU 28 Texas A&M 21
The Match-Up
LSU offense vs Texas A&M defense
It appears as though it will be business as usual for the LSU offense. They should be able to pound the great 1-2 punch at RB (D Guice, D Williams – 1600+,18 TD) against a run defense that ranks mid-pack in the SEC in rush defense and yards per carry average. The Aggies have also allowed the most TD passes (21) in the SEC and the Tigers should be able to hit some deep shots to underrated #1 WR DJ Chark who averages an exceptional 24 yards per reception. QB Danny Etling is not flashy but has only thrown 2 INTs in 212 attempts. LSU is #30 in the FBS in time of possession and it feels like they will move the ball well most of the game and control the tempo.
Texas A&M offense vs LSU defense
The Aggies have a shot if for no other reason than the spark they have received from QB Nick Starkel since returning from injury. Starkel has a fine 8-2 TD to INT mark, and while you can say he played really well vs rotten defenses (New Mexico, Ole Miss), he also held his own vs Auburn and Miss St. RBs T Williams and K Ford have combined for 17 rushing TDs and the WR group is deep and led by a solid veteran in C Kirk. LSU has only allowed 44 points in their last three games and appear to be getting better as the season rolls along. They only allowed 299 yards to ROLL TIDE. The defense is not a brick wall and A&M will have a chance to score some points. They just need to stay away from the turnovers. That is always true for an offense but especially true in this game. Their possessions are probably going to be more limited than normal.
MEGA-MAZING MINUTIA
Can Texas A&M rise up and beat the Bayou Bengals for the first time since joining the SEC ?
Summary
LSU is playing solid football. Texas A&M has been inconsistent (shocker) but do have enough weapons on offense to keep the game interesting should LSU come out flat. And then there is the Kevin Sumlin narrative. Will he be fired ? Will he stay ? Will the players give extra effort for him ? Do they hate his guts ? So much to think about. The effort level put forth by Texas A&M will absolutely matter if they play like their hair is on fire. We will not be able to gauge that until the game starts.
The line and total seems about right on this game. If we had to take a shot at something we would probably lean to the LSU defense keeping A&M in check.
Conclusion
Opinion: Best play on the game ? Texas A&M team total under
Are we playing this game ? No
Dude, not even for small potatoes ? No