First place in the Southeastern Conference is on the line Saturday night. You’ve heard them all break it down this week. It’s time for picks. LSU at Texas A&M. What did the ESPN Baton Rouge crew have to say…
Alondra Villarreal, Audio Producer, Off the Bench: What I’m interested to see in this game is whether or not Connor Weigman is actually good. Maybe Mizzou is just terrible. I think it’s a close game but my hate for the Aggies and love for the Tigers makes me think the Tigers win this one. LSU 27, Texas A&M 24
Taylor Sharp, Video Producer, Off the Bench: I think the LSU offense will be fine. They’ve gone against tough defenses already and haven’t been stopped with any consistency. To me the key to the game is the LSU defense versus the A&M offense. LSU needs to win on 1st and 2nd down. Shut down Le’Veon Moss and force Conner Weigman to throw it on 3rd and long situations. If the Tigers can put the game into the hands of Weigman then I’m not sure the Aggies offense can score enough to match LSU. LSU 28, Texas A&M 20
Jacob Hester, Co-Host, Off the Bench: LSU has to stop Texas A&M’s run game. If they do, I feel they have most of the other advantages, including quarterback and offensive line, that could make the difference. I think they will be. LSU 28, Texas A&M 24
T-Bob Hebert, Co-Host, Off the Bench: I believe objectively that LSU is a SLIGHTLY better team than Texas A&M. I think there are multiple different areas in which the Tigers have advantages, none bigger than at the most important position on the field, quarterback. Slowly but surely, Garrett Nussmeier has been building a case as one of the top quarterbacks in college football. This is his chance to go over and announce himself to the world. Standing in their way is one of the greatest venues in the country, Kyle Field. However, unlike how Ole Miss wasn’t ready for Death Valley, I’ve seen this LSU team in four quarter battles. I know they can do it, and I believe they get it done. LSU 30, Texas A&M 27
Charles Hanagriff, Co-Host, Live at Lunch: The better quarterback over the home field advantage, LSU 27, Texas A&M 24
Jacob Beck, Audio Producer, The Hunt Palmer Show: I didn’t respond, but Hunt’s golf swing is as good as everyone has suggested. Absolutely majestic. Also, these white uniforms are an embarrassment. Everyone knows that, but Hunt is the only guy bold enough to say it. Maybe I’ll make a pick on time for the Bama game.
EDITED: LSU’s ability to stop the run will be put to the test as A&M’s Le’Veon Moss is one of the best backs in the SEC. Whit Weeks’s emergence over the last few games has been a revelation for the Tiger defense, and I think they keep rolling. The 12th Man will be a factor, but LSU pulls away late. LSU 27, Texas A&M 17
Hunt Palmer, Host, The Hunt Palmer Show: Kyle Field is awesome. Nic Scourton is awesome. I think Mike Elko is the right guy for Texas A&M. I don’t think Florida, Arkansas, Missouri and Arkansas are good. That’s what makes A&M at Top 15 team. LSU has an advantage at quarterback and a body of work that trumps the Aggies. Unless Garrett Nussmeier throws two interceptions, LSU will win. LSU 30, Texas A&M 20.
Matt Musso, Audio Producer, After Further Review: I’m going to say something that four weeks ago I never thought I would say. I think LSU’s defense is the difference in the game vs. Texas A&M. All the talk about the Aggies defense is warranted. They are a really good unit, but LSU is closer to them than people think. I went deep into stop rate on LSU Daily this week. LSU has a 62.7% stop rate while the Aggies have a 67.7% stop rate. In Power 4 games it’s 63% for LSU and 67.2% for Texas A&M. Just four percentage points difference. In LSU’s last four games, they have a stop rate of 68%. The improvement on defense is marked. Yes, they have to contain Moss and the running game. I think they can. That will make A&M one dimensional, and I don’t see Conner Weigman beating you on his own. We know the LSU offense will score. It’s on the defense to be the difference between a win and a loss. LSU 27, Texas A&M 23.
Paul O’Neill, Video Producer, After Further Review: Not many would have pegged this game as one of the biggest games on the schedule before the season started, but it has quickly turned into one of the best matchups to watch this season. The LSU defense has made major improvements over the last few games, and that should continue as Texas A&M QB Conner Weigman has struggled in recent weeks. The Tigers offense is in a great rhythm with Garrett Nussmeier and Kyren Lacy, and they’ve found the running game with Caden Durham. The Aggies have playmakers as well, but LSU has more. The Tigers take advantage and stay unbeaten in the SEC. LSU 31, Texas A&M 24
Matt Moscona, Host, After Further Review: Prior to the season, I picked LSU to trip up here because I hated the spot. It’s very difficult to win back-to-back road conference games, and LSU hasn’t won at Kyle Field since 2016. Also, I wasn’t sure that LSU’s defense would be markedly improved from a season ago. The last two weeks have made me rethink that. LSU holding Arkansas to 38 rushing yards was incredibly impressive. The key here is the LSU run defense. If the Tigers can make Conner Weigman one dimensional, he’s proven he will turn over the ball and miss receivers. Open the box score Sunday morning and look at the Aggies rush total. That should tell the story of the game. LSU 30, Texas A&M 24
