The #5 LSU Tigers (9-2, 6-1 SEC) look to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive with a regular season finish on the road against the Texas A&M Aggies (4-7, 1-6 SEC). LSU has won eight of the last ten against Texas A&M, including a 27-24 victory last season in Baton Rouge.
Saturday’s conference kickoff is at 7 p.m. EST at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. The Tigers are a ten-point favorite, and the over/under total is at 47.5 points.
What to Know – #5 LSU Tigers
The Tigers have already clinched a spot in next week’s SEC Championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs, but LSU can build its case for a spot in the CFP with a win. Entering the final week, the Tigers are fifth in the CFP poll, with the top four teams playing for the national title.
Arizona State transfer quarterback Jayden Daniels has become the prize recruit from Brian Kelly’s first class. The junior is closing on season-bests, completing a career-high 69.6% of his passes for 2,377 yards. Daniels has thrown 15 touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for 740 yards and 11 scores.
Daniels is the team’s leading rusher, but when Daniels isn’t carrying the ball, he is handing it off to a trio of running backs, Noah Cain, John Emery Jr., or Josh Williams. Williams leads the Tigers with 481 rushing yards, while Cain is the leader scoring seven touchdowns on the ground.
Through the air, wide receiver Malik Nabers is Daniels’ favorite target. The sophomore wide receiver has hauled in 51 receptions for 657 yards. Wide out Jaray Jenkins has added five touchdowns and Brian Thomas Jr. has four scores.
What to Know – Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M’s season has been a disaster in College Station, and the Aggies are hoping to end things on a high note. The Aggies won’t be playing in a bowl game for the first time since 2008 after 14 seasons of appearances.
The play at quarterback has been one of the biggest issues hampering Texas A&M this season. Haynes King has been the starter since Max Johnson went down with an injury but has struggled leading the offense. Haynes is completing 55% of his throws with seven touchdowns and six interceptions.
Running back Devon Achane needs 113 yards to hit 1,000 yards rushing for the season. The junior has been a bright spot for the Aggies’ offense, carrying the ball 158 times for 887 yards and six touchdowns.
Freshman wide receiver Evan Stewart is one of the top rookies in college football this season. Stewart leads the team with 49 catches for 607 yards and two TDs. Moose Muhammed III has added 33 receptions for 516 yards and three scores.
The Pick is In
The Aggies have checked out over the last month, and the fans have, too, leaving the 2022 season with a bad taste in the mouths of many in Aggieland. LSU is on a mission, and while the Tigers might be looking ahead to next week’s SEC title, the Tigers coast to an easy victory.
The Pick: #5 LSU Tigers -10
