LSU vs Arkansas: Keys to Victory

The #17 (College Football Playoff Rankings) LSU Tigers visit the Arkansas Razorbacks this Saturday in Fayetteville. The game will be televised by ESPN 2, and kicks off at 7:oo pm CT. LSU enters the game at 7-3, 3-3; Arkansas is 4-5, 0-5.

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LSU and Arkansas typically play tough, competitive, and close games. The same should be expected this year, especially given the Arkansas 17-game SEC losing streak, and LSU coming off the Alabama game.

This year’s game marks the first time since Arkansas entered the SEC in 1992 that the teams are not playing on Thanksgiving weekend.

Time now to take at look at keys to victory for LSU in the annual “Battle of the Golden Boot.”

Move on from Alabama

Probably the most important factor this week, and easier said than done. It is likely the case that many LSU fans are still stinging over the heartbreaking loss to Alabama, and this would seem to hold true for the team as well. After all, they are only human too, and LSU up until the end of game had held Alabama in check. Several players, though, did in fact have a sleepless night after the loss. This writer didn’t get to sleep until after 3:00 am following the game!

All that said, the 48-hour post game timeframe has passed, and LSU at this point should be heavily entrenched in the Arkansas gameplan. During his Monday press conference, Les Miles praised his team, referring to them as “quality people and guys with character, and they will be fighters.”

During today’s SEC Teleconference, Miles said “there’s residue from a game like that [referring to Alabama]…[LSU] will be ready for Arkansas.”

Nov 8, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) is grabbed by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jarran Reed (90) during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Stick with what’s working on offense

Miles and the coaching staff should stick with what has worked this season, and should play for the rest of this season, not next year. At yesterday’s press conference, Miles said just that, that he’s not ready to think about next year yet.

There is still a chance for the Tigers to win 10 games, and this needs to be the goal. There are those who would argue against this, those who say play as many young players as possible (if it is possible, given the youth of this year’s Tigers). Winning one more game would give LSU eight wins on the year, which would mark the 15th consecutive year with at least that many wins. Finishing with 10 wins this year would mark the fifth consecutive year reaching that total, so why not give it a shot?

This year’s LSU team has established itself as a successful running team, and there’s no reason to change that now. There won’t be a miraculous change in quarterback play (more on that soon), and at least with regard to the Arkansas game, the weather forecast is calling for cold weather with a chance of snow. This is weather more conducive to running anyway.

As has been mentioned here previously, LSU features a four-headed monster from the tailback position. Just keep feeding Leonard Fournette, Terrence Magee, Kenny Hilliard, and Darrel Williams. The Tigers have had great success running against several stout SEC run defenses this year (Florida, Ole Miss, and Alabama). Arkansas is not as strong in its run defense (allowing 136.8 yards per game, 7th in the SEC), thus there’s no reason to deviate from the plan.

Nov 8, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Blake Sims (6) is tackled by LSU Tigers defensive end Jermauria Rasco (59) during the fourth quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Continue the momentum on defense

The LSU defense has shown great improvement during the year. The secondary entered the season as one of the best in the nation, and has played as such for most of the year. Even with the suspension of Rashard Robinson, this unit has a great deal of skill and depth. Tre’Davious White did a great job holding Amari Cooper in check. Arkansas should not pose much of a threat in the passing game, as they average 203.3 yards per game, good for 9th in the SEC.

The run defense was somewhat porous early in the year, and this aspect of the defense has shown the greatest improvement. The makeup of this unit with Danielle Hunter and Jermauria Rasco at the ends, and Christian LaCouture and Davon Godchaux forming the interior has become quite formidable in not only containing the run, but also in its ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Arkansas is a fairly strong running team, with some huge bodies on the offensive line. The Razorbacks average 248.2 rushing yards per game, 4th in the SEC.

The linebacking unit has been very solid since the insertion of Kendell Beckwith in the lineup at the middle linebacker spot. Kwon Alexander and Lamar Louis have been solid all year.

Don’t worry about the quarterback situation now

There is a large contingent of the fan base that believes Brandon Harris should be starting at quarterback, not Anthony Jennings. Perhaps Harris has more upside than Jennings, and perhaps he should have been given more playing time, but it is what it is. Perhaps Harris just isn’t ready yet, and even he appears to believe this, given what he has recently said on his Twitter account.

Here’s the thing, Jennings is the starter this year. It’s not to say he has already won the job for next year; it seems logical that the quarterback competition will open back up in the spring, and Harris will have an opportunity to supplant Jennings as the starter. The coaching staff seems to believe that right now, Jennings gives LSU the best chance to win.

Prediction

Expect another low-scoring game where the weather will have an effect. LSU prevails, 21-13.

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