The Chase With Jace:
LSU/Ole Miss Magazine With Pictures By Billy Metcalf!
In a similar spot to what the Ole Miss Rebels had to deal with going on the road to play in Death Valley, the hunters in LSU now have the targets on their back as the hunted. After getting a thrilling 29-26 overtime victory over the Ole Miss Rebels, the LSU Tigers (5-1, 2-0) now have their eyes set on a SEC title and a College Football Playoff spot.
In their way is the Arkansas Razorbacks (4-2, 2-1), who have already been known to knock a Top 10 SEC team at Razorback Stadium already in getting a 19-14 win over then number four Tennessee. Coming in at number eight in the country, the Tigers will look to avoid a big letdown spot against a tricky Razorbacks team for the Battle of the Golden Boot. This battle between rivalry states has always been a game in which the records should be thrown out and not be considered.
“We have to keep things in perspective, and the perspective is we have to go on the road against a very solid Arkansas team and, historically, this game has been decided by three points or less.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly
Looking back at the previous four matchups, this game has come down to three points on each side including a 34-31 win over the Razorbacks in Baton Rouge last season.
It could potentially come down to that this season as the Tigers are in a similar position as two seasons ago when LSU was coming off a big, emotional last play overtime victory against Alabama and had to survive a 13-10 struggling win on the road against the Razorbacks the very next week.
“We are pretty transparent in talking about what the current situation is relative to what they think. I think that football team was a relative team in terms of experience. This team has some experience in terms of overall they have been through it and they know what it looks like, but that doesn’t mean that everybody understands how to think about it. We will talk about how we need to think about it going into their preparation. This is where you lean on Nussmeier, who has been through it, and Weeks and Greg Penn in taking this trip and being a part of it. Now, that is where you ask your veterans to step up.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly
LSU will hope that it does not come down to that led by one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Garrett Nussmeier, who leads the SEC in touchdown passes with 18. Nussmeier has also completed 160/249 passes for 1,989 yards to go along with his touchdown passes. Last week, Nussmeier is coming off his worst statistical game of the season, but was clutch down the stretch with his final two throws, which were the game tying touchdown to Aaron Anderson on fourth down and Kyren Lacy in the end zone for the game winner.
Despite only starting seven games, Nussmeier has already led three fourth quarter game winning drives and the confidence displayed on that touchdown throw to Anderson was a perfect example of that.
“He anticipated where he was going to be and threw the ball expecting him to be there. That’s trusting your teaching, trusting that you know that guy is going to be there. He’s thrown that ball so many times that he just let it go.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly
Nussmeier has a lot of weapons to throw the football to including last week’s hero Kyren Lacy, who has 30 grabs for 463 yards and six touchdowns. Aaron Anderson and Mason Taylor have also been two other reliable weapons for the Tigers’ gunslinger with Anderson having 30 grabs for 452 yards and three touchdowns and Taylor having 33 catches for 323 yards and a touchdown.
The Tigers will also return another weapon offensively as CJ Daniels returns after missing the last game against Ole Miss and it was also announced by Kelly that talented freshman tight end Trey’Dez Green will be utilized more in the slot after catching a touchdown pass against Ole Miss last week.
“What we have to do is that we are in a position now that all of the complexities of playing the tight end position can be eliminated more by playing him at the wide receiver role. We are getting to that point to where that has to happen. He is a talented player. You saw that with the touchdown and how easy it is for him to use his hands and reel the ball in. He just gives us more versatility. You are going to see that moving forward.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly
This could be another great opportunity for the Tigers’ elite passing attack to have another big performance as the Razorbacks’ pass defense is only ranked 10th in the conference.
While the offense is starting to find its rhythm, the defensive side of the football is starting to gain some confidence after having one of its most impressive performances in quite a while.
Bradyn Swinson is having an All-SEC campaign on the defensive line with his third SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week Award. He is on pace to beat the single season school sack record right now with seven plus two force fumbles, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
Whit Weeks earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors with a whopping 18 stops, a sack, and a forced fumble. Then, finally, Zy Alexander received the game ball last week with five tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup.
“It’s about what we can control. Getting them in that kind of mindset and getting them to think in the right way has been a chore for this group. Getting them thinking about positive outcomes and getting them to think about one play at a time, they are so much better at that now than what they were in Week 1. Control what you can control, play with physicality, and they are playing with a better awareness tactically on third down, red zone, and short yardage.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly
This defense will get another tough task against an athletic Arkansas offense led by Boise State transfer Taylen Green, who can become a threat with both his arm and legs. This season, Green has thrown for 1,502 yards passing and five touchdowns plus another 326 yards rushing and four scores on the ground.
Ja’Quinden Jackson is a great complimentary back with 566 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns on 99 carries. If Green is looking for a target in the passing game, that would be Andrew Armstrong, who leads the Hogs in receiving with 552 yards on 38 catches, as well as Isaiah Sategna, who is just behind him with 312 yards and a touchdown.
The success of this Razorbacks’ offense could come down to how effective Green is. He will be starting the game tonight, but at the same time, is coming off a knee injury he sustained against Tennessee two weeks ago.
“I have been encouraged about how he’s practiced. He’s still not full speed yet, but we certainly think there’s a possibility that he can get there. We’ll have to wait and see there. Obviously, we have two more practices and a walk, but have been encouraged about his progression this week.”
Arkansas HC Sam Pittman
Regardless of how healthy Green is, Brian Kelly realizes how tough of a matchup he presents.
“Big, physical, can run. He makes plays with his arms and legs. They lead the SEC in third down conversions. This is a formidable offense. Big offensive line. I think they’ve done a great job defensively. Big and physical up front. Really, well designed and fundamentally sound. It will be a great challenge for us and one that we will have to play well on the road.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly
If LSU can pass this challenging test on the road against Arkansas sandwiched in between Ole Miss and Texas A&M that will also be on the road, then the Tigers will certainly be a serious contender in the SEC and CFP race.
Keys To Victory For LSU:
- Start the game fast. Keep the Arkansas crowd out of the game and make the Razorbacks one dimensional offensively.
- Do not let Arkansas hang around. If you get the chance to finish the game, do it.
- Defensively, wrap up and tackle. Do not give up the big running play.
- Offensively, get enough of the running game to stay ahead of the chains for this elite passing offense to operate.
Key Matchup: Taylen Green vs. Saivion Jones/Bradyn Swinson
The guy that scares you the most here for LSU is Arkansas’ quarterback Taylen Green. LSU’s pass rush has been a driving force to the vast improvement by this defense. The key here is to keep Green contained in the pocket and force him to beat you by throwing the ball. It is the 6’6 long strider’s ability to beat you with his legs that does scare you. If Swinson and Jones can be disciplined in their pass rush, it will help the Tigers avoid those impromptu scrambles that could really hurt this defense.
Final Score Prediction: LSU 24, Arkansas 21
This is a scary spot for LSU after an emotional win and this game has always been a toss up. I feel that it is par for the course here. Razorback Stadium is a tough place to play and the crowd will certainly be ready to roll. This game may be ugly at times, but I trust what Brian Kelly calls one of the most mature groups he has been around. This grizzled veteran team knows all too well on how tricky these games could potentially be, but Arkansas has not played a passing offense as good as this one and LSU’s weapons will give them some trouble. If the LSU defensive front can stop a really good Razorbacks rushing attack and force them to be one dimensional, that will play into their advantage. This is a game you just need to pin your ears and just find a way to win.
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