Texas A&M Aggies Week 13 Preview: LSU Tigers

The Aggies look to end their nine-game road losing streak on the road in Baton Rouge.

Author:
Cole Thompson
Publish date:
Nov 20, 2023 2:10 PM EST

In this story:

Texas A&M won't be playing for an SEC West division title. It won't be playing for a berth in the College Football Playoff.

Third place in the SEC West and the ending of a nine-game road losing streak? That's something to wake up Saturday in Baton Rouge at Tiger Stadium.

The Aggies (7-4, 4-3 SEC) could clinch a better bowl bid and finish with eight-plus wins for the fifth time in six years if they surpass the No. 15 Tigers (8-3, 5-2) at 11 a.m. in the regular-season finale. Both teams are far from perfect, but each possesses the Achilles heel that could hinder success.

The Tigers, who won the SEC West title last season under first-year coach Brian Kelly, feature college football's top-scoring offense, headlined by Heisman front-runner Jayden Daniels at quarterback. They possess two exceptional first-round pass-catchers that will soon become the NFL's household names. And the run is stable, although it's mainly behind the legs of the No. 5, who's the only passer to total over 3,500 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a single season.

The defense, however, has more holes than Swiss cheese. Countless teams have totaled over 500 yards, thus putting pressure on the offense to win in shootout fashion. LSU managed to score big eight times, but struggles against Florida State, Ole Miss and Alabama led to what most fans who bleed purple and gold would call regression.

A&M's defense should be well-prepared to eliminate the run game. Will its offense come into play to make it a shootout? If so, Elijah Robinson will improve to 2-0 as the lead man in College Station.

The Aggies will also likely garner some buzz in the AP polls come next Sunday, too. A victory secures a tie for the bronze trophy in the division. Who would have thought that was possible with close-but-no cigar calls against the Crimson Tide and Rebels?

Here's everything you need to know for Saturday's early kick in the bayou.