College Football

How to watch Arkansas vs. LSU 2013: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more

Here’s all the information you’ll need to catch the game between the Razorbacks and Tigers.

Nov 29, 2013, 2:00 PM UTC

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sport

Arkansas and LSU finish off their respective regular seasons when they meet in Baton Rouge on Friday afternoon. The Tigers are trying to work their way toward another 10-win campaign, while the Razorbacks are simply looking for some positives they can take into the offseason.

After last week’s tough overtime loss to Mississippi State, Bret Bielema is still looking for his first conference win as Arkansas’ head coach. Six of the Razorbacks’ seven SEC losses have come by double digits -- it’s just been that sort of year, and it goes to show that the SEC West can be an incredibly demoralizing meat grinder when you’re in a rebuilding mode.

In all likelihood, the Razorbacks won’t pose much of a threat on the road against a superior LSU team -- Vegas expects a blowout. Then again, stranger things have happened. If the same LSU squad that rolled Texas A&M last week shows up, though, this one might be over quickly.

The numbers

Rankings and records: LSU is 8-3 (4-3) and ranked 15th in both major polls. Arkansas comes into the game 3-8 (0-7). The Tigers are tied for third in the SEC West, and the Razorbacks are bringing up the rear. LSU holds a 36-20-2 edge in the all-time series.

Vegas: LSU opened as a 24.5-point favorite.

Weather: The high is expected to hit the upper 50s.

Three names to know

Zach Mettenberger -- If Mettenberger throws two touchdown passes on Friday, he’ll have 24 on the season, double his 2012 total. His breakout campaign has been impressive, and LSU’s offense has been considerably better as a result. The Tigers are averaging 7.2 yards per play in 2013, compared to 5.5 in 2012.

Alex Collins -- Bielema's program seems to be lacking a definite quarterback of the future, but the team has found a steady producer at running back in Alex Collins. He leads the team with 998 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

Chris Smith -- Smith ranks second in the SEC with 8.5 sacks and fourth with 11.5 tackles for loss. The Razorbacks will need a strong effort from the pass rusher to disrupt LSU’s passing attack and keep them in the contest.

Two things at stake

The Razorbacks have lost 11 consecutive conference games dating back to last season, and they haven’t won a game against anybody this season since September. Halting this streak of futility to cap an otherwise forgettable year would give the program some positive vibes to build on heading into the offseason.

A couple of close games didn’t go LSU’s way this year, leaving the Tigers out of the hunt for a league title. But with a win over Arkansas and a victory in their bowl game, the Tigers can reach double digit wins for the fourth straight season.