In what has become a lost season on the field for the LSU Tigers, interim head coach Frank Wilson is preparing his team to face the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday. Despite a tumultuous season filled with plenty of fireworks, LSU has a chance to at least salvage some sort of positivity against an Arkansas team that enters this contest with a 2-7 record. Like LSU, Arkansas is also working with an interim head coach, as Bobby Petrino took over for the fired Sam Pittman a few weeks ago.
4-star LSU commit is now on flip watch with an Ohio State visit on the way
Despite riding a three-game losing streak and dropping four of their last five games, professional oddsmakers are favoring the Tigers by 5.5 points. But that could change depending on the status of Garrett Nussmeier. The LSU QB has been dealing with a lingering abdominal injury, and his status for Saturday's game against Arkansas is still up in the air.
Is Garrett Nussmeier playing against Arkansas?
Nussmeier's abdominal injury has been an issue for most of the season, and it doesn't appear to be going away. According to On3, Nussmeier suffered a setback in practice on Thursday, which puts his playing status for Saturday in jeopardy. Interim head coach Frank Wilson said that Nussmeier will still be listed as "probable" for the SEC contest, but the fact that he suffered a setback during practice is concerning.
New: LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier will be listed as "probable" vs. Arkansas, interim HC Frank Wilson said.
— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) November 13, 2025
Nussmeier's setback came in practice today.
"It's a little bit concerning. It's something we need to watch with him heading into the game."
More:➡️ https://t.co/vVgCj7Qtg6 pic.twitter.com/0KUyWyDzcm
It's been a bumpy season for Nussmeier and the LSU offense, as the passing game has failed to find any sort of consistency in 2025. LSU is managing to score just 19.6 points per game against FBS opponents so far this season. After a sensational 2024 campaign, Nussmeier and company entered 2025 with high hopes, and Nussmeier was given the second-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy.
However, things have never clicked for the Tiger passing attack, and Nussmeier has been battling injury all season long. On the year, Nussmeier has thrown for 1,927 yards with 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Still with three regular season games to go, his numbers his season are a far cry from the 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns he threw for last season.
Nussmeier was benched in the 3rd quarter against Alabama last week after throwing for 121 yards and no touchdowns. Michael Van Buren Jr. replaced him, and the Mississippi State transfer completed 5 of his 11 attempts for 52 yards without a touchdown or interception. Van Buren Jr. figures to see an uptick in action if Nussmeier is unable to go against the Razorbacks.