For NFL Draft evaluators, the onus of the Arkansas/LSU game today is the Tigers secondary against the Razorbacks receiving corps. Both are arguably the best units in the Southeastern Conference, so this should be a great showdown.
It will be interesting to see how the coaches line up their players. Ideally, LSU sophomore cornerback Tyrann Mathieu will line up against Arkansas' Joe Adams. The undersized Adams can be a game breaker, but Mathieu is a playmaker. LSU junior cornerback Morris Claiborne will hopefully get Arkansas' Jarius Wright, who has more than 90 yards receiving in each of the last four games. Claiborne seems to come up big in big games and he may have to again today.
Arkansas junior quarterback Tyler Wilson is having a great season with 21 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He picked Mississippi State apart last week, completing 74.4 percent of his passes for 365 yards and three scores. I expect him to return for his senior year and if he does he'll be highly rated.
Arkansas at LSU NFL Draft watch notes
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Since returning from injury in October, Arkansas defensive end Jake Bequette has been excellent. He's won all-conference honors twice in the last three weeks and can be a ferocious pass rusher. His ability to get into the back field will be key for Arkansas today. The other key player on defense for Arkansas is linebacker Jerry Franklin. Against the LSU running game, Franklin will have to get off blockers better than he has at times this season. If he can't, Arkansas could be in trouble.
LSU junior wide receiver Rueben Randle could use a good game after having just one catch against Ole Miss last week and two against Alabama on Nov. 5.
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