LSU (7-3, 4-3 in the SEC) and Texas A&M (8-3, 4-3 in the conference) will hit the field in their respective season finales Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. A game that has become quite the SEC rivalry in recent seasons, the drama surrounding LSU’s football program in the last week may have overtaken the subplot of Les Miles’ team taking on its former defensive coordinator.
How to watch Texas A&M vs. LSU on TV or online, plus 3 things to know
No subplots surrounding this one, nope, not at all.
The Tigers have lost three games in a row this November, each by at least 14 points, including an ugly 38-17 loss last week in which the Tigers committed 13 penalties and appeared to be falling apart as the pressure on their coach mounted. There was a near-bench-clearing brawl and a particularly ugly sequence on the 1-yard-line late in which LSU failed to punch the ball in. Whether this stretch has been so ugly as to merit coaching change or not, it’s very, VERY clear that LSU needs a win.
Texas A&M, on the other hand, appears to be figuring some things out after a 25-0 win at Vanderbilt last week, rebounding from their own difficult stretch in which they lost three of four. The defense pitched the program's first shutout since 2004 and Kyle Allen appeared to regain the starting job by throwing for 336 yards.
The Aggie defense still gives up 200-plus per game on the ground, so Leonard Fournette may have a pretty good chance to fight for his coach.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Online streaming: WatchESPN Link
Spread: LSU is favored by 4 points.
Make friends: And The Valley Shook is the place for Tiger fans to chat about the game, while Good Bull Hunting is the hub for all the talk around the Aggies.
Three big things to know
1. The last ride?
So, as you may have heard, Les Miles’ seat as LSU’s head coach is a bit warm. Is he coaching for his job? Is that fate already sealed? Will his Tigers come out with a fired-up effort ready to play for their head coach? Will boosters lock him in an office at halftime? This is a night game in Tiger Stadium ... anything could happen!
2. Cry HAVOC
Texas A&M’s defense gives up yardage, but it does a fantastic job of getting into the backfield. The Aggies rank 8th overall in havoc rate and 2nd overall in defensive line havoc rate. They’re also No. 2 in adjusted sack rate on defense. LSU’s offensive line was fairly stout for most of the year, but it has given up 22 tackles for loss in November. The Aggie defense may be able to force some big plays.
3. Speaking of coaches...
A lot of LSU’s coaching drama began with defensive coordinator John Chavis’ abrupt departure to take the same position at Texas A&M. The move caught LSU coaches and players as a complete surprise before the 2014 Music City Bowl and has led to a lawsuit between Chavis and the school regarding a contract buyout. There should be a ton of emotion on both sides of this one from Chavis’ current players and his former ones.
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