LSU and Texas are set to meet in Baton Rouge this weekend in a matchup that could officially eliminate the Tigers from the College Football Playoff conversation.

With three losses, LSU’s playoff hopes are already on life support. A fourth loss would pull the plug.

Texas, meanwhile, needs to win to avoid a third loss, which would put their playoff chances in jeopardy.

ESPN’s Greg McElroy predicts the final score of Texas vs LSU

ESPN’s Greg McElroy made his picks for this weekend’s biggest college football games, and he has LSU winning a close one over Texas.

“LSU runs more plays than anyone in the entire FBS — nearly 80 a game — and at a pace that doesn’t let Texas substitute,” said McElroy. “Texas is used to facing about 68 plays by the opposing offense. So, if LSU’s tempo has the Texas linebackers gasped by the fourth quarter, and the best defense on the field stops being the best defense on the field, then [it’s a positive for the Tigers].

“LSU’s pass rush against Texas’s protection is probably the most lopsided matchup on the board. It’s happening at home at night. The Texas defense is good enough to hold LSU to field goals, which is why I think this stays a fight. But if Texas becomes one-dimensional, then an offense that has to throw against this (LSU) pass rush is going to spend way too much time off schedule behind the chains. I’m taking LSU to win this game 24-20. At night in Death Valley, that’s when that pass rush gets a sixth man, and I don’t know if Texas’s O-line can hold up throughout the night.”

Texas and LSU are set to kick off at 6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET. The game will air on ABC.