Final score predictions for Texas A&M vs. LSU: Can Brian Kelly keep the Tigers’ wheels from falling off against white hot Aggies?
The SEC boasts another heavyweight top 25 matchup this week as the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies visit Death Valley to take on the No. 20 LSU Tigers. We’ll either see the conference’s race to the championship game get clearer as the Aggies inch closer to locking in a spot and LSU is eliminated, or […]
The SEC boasts another heavyweight top 25 matchup this week as the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies visit Death Valley to take on the No. 20 LSU Tigers. We’ll either see the conference’s race to the championship game get clearer as the Aggies inch closer to locking in a spot and LSU is eliminated, or the opposite. LSU could cause mass chaos and avoid its own emerging turmoil with a win.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly has been getting a ton of heat from the fan base in the wake of its most recent and second loss of the season. This Tigers team was supposed to possess an explosive offense and stellar defense, but their inconsistency has been maddening.
Meanwhile, this Texas A&M defense has suffocated offenses for much of the season. Their narrow win at Arkansas was a bit of a wake-up call that not all will come easy, but a win this week puts them only two major matchups away from a huge program milestone entering the SEC title game.
Our A to Z college football experts joined together for our predictions for this matchup. See our top picks below.
Key stats that could impact Texas A&M versus LSU
- Texas A&M’s high-powered offense, averaging 464 yards and 36.1 points per game, could exploit LSU’s 32nd-ranked pass defense if QB Marcel Reed outperforms their secondary.
- LSU’s weak rushing attack, averaging just 116.4 yards with 4 red-zone fumbles, may struggle against Texas A&M’s defensive line, which has 25 sacks in 7 games.
- Injuries to Texas A&M’s OL Chase Bisontis and DB Jordan Pride, combined with LSU’s rebuilt O-line, could determine which team controls the line of scrimmage.
- Texas A&M’s nation-leading zero fumbles lost this season gives them a ball-security edge over LSU’s error-prone offense, which could decide a tight game.
- LSU’s 12-2 ATS record in recent matchups and Death Valley’s night-game atmosphere face Texas A&M’s 7-0 road resilience, potentially hinging on late-game momentum.
Texas A&M 34, LSU 10
The cracks are showing for LSU as the injuries pile up. Protecting Garrett Nussmeier was already difficult as the Tigers haven’t been able to replace their handful of departures in this most recent NFL draft, and now their left tackle is out. Texas A&M has increased its sack output from last year, which will nuke the LSU passing game.
Mix in how A&M’s offense is clicking with Marcel Reed pulling the strings, and the Tigers will get smacked in the mouth early and often. There’s nothing to believe they can recover if they wobble, and Brian Kelly will be firmly on the hot seat with a blowout loss. – Ian Valentino, A to Z Sports Alabama & Ohio State
Texas A&M 31, LSU 23
This SEC clash is one where the narratives have changed dramatically since the start of the season. Not many folks had the Aggies as a top 5 team in the country by this point, and LSU was heavily predicted to be in the top 10. Alas, the A&M defense has been rock solid most of the season, and QB Marcel Reed and his receivers continue to dazzle in the moments that matter most.
Meanwhile, LSU is coming off a tough loss to Vanderbilt, where the defense got pushed around and the offense never found consistency (once again). That’s a concerning trend for the Tigers entering this game, even at home. I’ll take the Aggies here. – Adam Holt, A to Z Sports New Orleans Saints
Texas A&M 34, LSU 13
“This matchup felt like one of the biggest of the year for the Aggies in the offseason, but the Tigers are limping to the barn in this matchup with a floundering offense. Texas A&M’s defense got surprisingly exposed by Arkansas last week, but after Mike Elko’s dressing-down postgame, I expect they’ll play much better against an LSU team searching for answers.
With the Aggies’ relentless pass rush led by Cashius Howell, I think they can build a steady lead and shut down the Tigers handily. LSU’s defense will keep them in it early, but A&M has been an outstanding second-half team, and they’ll pull away from this one in time. I’ll take the Aggies BIG ” – AJ Schulte, A to Z Sports Oklahoma
Texas A&M 34, LSU 24
The Tigers are in a rough spot right now. They lost to Vanderbilt to drop their second game of the season, raising more questions about Brian Kelly’s job status. The offense has looked out of sorts with Garrett Nussmeier at the helm far too often, and the defense has been way too inconsistent on many levels. Facing off against a Mike Elko defense isn’t going to make things any easier, as he knows how to attack you on many levels.
The Aggies offense continues to be explosive, scoring less than 31 points just one time in their undefeated season. The reality is that the Aggies are a more consistent team across both sides of the football. Look for Elko to take his team one step further toward a college footbal lplayoff berth. – Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Florida.
Final Score Predictions for Texas A&M vs. LSU
The A to Z Sports staff agrees that LSU will lose to the Aggies this week. It might not even be close, and that could either be prophetic of a real issue on Kelly’s hands or a seriously misguided take that’s been built on recent events. LSU has the chance to buck the trend and overcome glaring warts.
On average, our writers believe Texas A&M and Mike Elko will beat LSU 33.25-17.5.
