LSU’s matchup with Texas was always going to come in a tough spot.
Whether the Tigers beat Alabama or came up short as they did last Saturday, regrouping for a physical and talented Longhorn squad wasn’t going to come easy.
Now, LSU entertains Texas with three losses and a season on the brink of grave disappointment. Steve Sarkisian’s Texas team sits sixth in the College Football Playoff rankings.
Here are three key matchups to watch Saturday night.
RALEEK BROWN VS. TJ DOTTERY AND DAVHON KEYS
Whit Weeks may be able to give it a go this week. If so, add him to this equation. The LSU linebackers have to deal with Raleek Brown, who has taken over the starting running back duties following the season-ending injury to Hollywood Smothers.
Brown has actually outplayed Smothers this year. Last week at Missouri, Brown carried 17 times for 85 yards, five yards a carry, and caught six passes for 48 more yards and a score. Against Ole Miss, Brown carried 23 times for 157 yards.
Those happen to be Texas’ best two offensive outings of the season. The Longhorns are at their best when they’re running the ball to help out quarterback Arch Manning.
Brown started his career at USC and played with Sam Leavitt at Arizona State the last two seasons. He’ll be a huge key on Saturday.
COLIN SIMMONS VS. WESTON DAVIS OR SEAN TOMPKINS
Colin Simmons suffered a high-ankle sprain against Florida and missed the Ole Miss and Mississippi State games. He came back for 18 plays last week at Missouri. When he’s right, Simmons is the best pass rusher in the country.
He completely wrecked Tennessee’s offense with 5.5 sacks. The Missouri and Texas State games are the only two he’s played all season without a sack.
LSU right tackle Weston Davis was injured against Alabama and left the field on crutches. He was listed as probable on the Wednesday availability report. Sean Thompkins is the second option.
Candidly, Simmons is a matchup nightmare for both options, and LSU is going to have to give help assuming Simmons is healthy enough to make an impact. LSU will have to identify him on every obvious passing down.
SAM LEAVITT VS. RASHEEM BILES
Quarterback versus linebacker doesn’t make the matchups page very often, but Biles is not your average linebacker.
He’s second on the Texas defense in sacks (4) and tackles (67). Leavitt may see him in the LSU backfield and will certainly see him if the Tiger quarterback tucks the ball and runs.
I’m not too confident in the LSU running game in this one, so Leavitt probably has to do a lot of the heavy lifting for the offense. If Biles (or Simmons or any of the Texas pass rush) gets free, Leavitt has to make good decisions with the ball.
When Leavitt runs, and he ran 15 times against Alabama, he may have to beat Biles to the edge or make him miss in space. Both are easier said than done.
