By KACE KIESCHNICK, Tiger Rag Staff Reporter

No. 23 Texas A&M at No. 10 LSU

Saturday, Sept. 26 • 6:30 p.m. • ABC

Baton Rouge • Tiger Stadium (“Death Valley”)

Spread: LSU -8.5 | O/U 51.5

OVERVIEW

No. 10 LSU (2-1, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) will host No. 23 Texas A&M (2-1, 0-1) in what has become nearly an elimination game after both teams lost their SEC openers last week.

Coach Lane Kiffin’s Tigers are looking to bounce back from a disheartening 32-24 loss at Ole Miss in which missed opportunities on both sides of the ball prevented them from completing a 17-point second-half comeback. Mike Elko’s Aggies are rebounding from a 31-21 loss at Kyle Field to Kentucky in a game they entered as three-score favorites. Each unit will look to rectify glaring issues in the trenches and inconsistent quarterback play in Tiger Stadium, while LSU seeks revenge for last year’s home loss to Texas A&M, the first since 1994. To do that, the Tigers will have to patch their holes on the offensive line, receive more comfortable, confident play from quarterback Sam Leavitt and do what they have never done before: stop Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed.

KEY STORYLINES

Marcel Reed – Blake Baker’s Kryptonite

It has been well documented that LSU has struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks under defensive coordinator Blake Baker. Reed’s performance against the Tigers the past two seasons has epitomized that struggle. He threw for 202 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions and added 108 rushing yards and two more touchdowns on the ground in the Aggies’ 49-25 win in Tiger Stadium last year. He averaged just 32 rushing yards per game against every other team last season. In 2024, he ran for 62 yards and three touchdowns and completed both of two passes for 70 yards. Due to his smaller build (6-foot-1, 185 pounds), the Aggies do not call as many designed runs for Reed as other athletic passers typically see. Elko said that reed does his damage off the edge and some teams let that happen while others do not. The Tigers will need a coordinated effort to make Reed a passer, contain him and stop him from taking over yet again.

A War Of Attrition In The Trenches

Texas A&M had one of the most feared defensive fronts in the country last season. It helped them to a 11-2 season and trip to the College Football Playoff, but three of the Aggies’ four starters on the defensive line were taken in the NFL Draft. Kentucky took advantage of the new-look front of returning contributors and power conference transfers in their SEC opener last week, rushing for 156 yards on 36 attempts. Elko said the Wildcats’ use of seven–man protections was too much for an A&M pass rush that rarely sends more than four or five defenders at the quarterback. LSU’s offensive line, though, was equally if not less effective against Ole Miss. Kiffin said there could be changes in strategy or personnel coming to the offensive front, and Kentucky laid out the blueprint on neutralizing one of Elko’s defensive trademarks.

Winning (Or Avoiding) Third Down

The other signature of the Elko defense is its creativity and effectiveness on third downs. The Aggies ranked No. 1 in the nation last year, allowing just 38 conversions on 166 attempts (22.89%). Through the first three games of 2026, A&M is the No. 7 third-down defense with 7 conversions given up on 31 chances (22.58%). The Tigers’ offense ranks No. 13 on third down, moving the chains on 28 of 50 attempts (56%). However, the best way to beat an imposing third-down defense is by not getting to third down at all. LSU has found itself facing third down the tenth-most of any team this season. For the offense to get back on track for all four quarters, LSU will need to stay ahead of the chains to stay in manageable distances when they do reach third down and take advantage of early-down opportunities. That takes consistency. The Tigers cannot afford avoidable incompletions or negative runs on first and second down.

Injury Replacements

There comes a time in every football season when understudies and unlikely contributors are asked to step up. After defensive back Dashawn Spears and tight End Trey’Dez Green suffered injuries against Ole Miss, that time has come earlier than expected for the Tigers. Unless Kiffin is hiding another 6-foot-7 unicorn on the bench, there is no replacing Green directly, but that does not mean that others cannot replicate his production. Transfer tight ends Zach Grace and Malachi Thomas are the obvious choices to fill in for Green, especially as blockers. Wide receivers Roman Mothershed (6-5, 212) and Malik Elzy (6-2, 217) may be asked to step up as big bodies in the red zone. For Spears, linebacker CJ Jimcoily was his immediate replacement as a nickel/STAR defender, but safety Tamarcus Cooley took over in the slot while Jhase Thomas replaced him in the second half. The Aggies will need to replace preseason ALl-SEC kick returner and former five-star Terry Bussey. Elko confirmed freshman Aaron Gregory will be called upon to fill his role as a returner and outside receiver.

AGGIES TO WATCH

QB Marcel Reed: 62-of-104 for 632 passing yards, six TDs and three interceptions with 24 carries for 126 yards and a TD this season, 

WR Mario Craver: Preseason first-team All-SEC, Aggies’ leading receiver with 19 catches for 194 yards and two touchdowns 

CB Julio Humphrey: Eight tackles, two passes defended and an interception this season

EDGE T.J. Searcy: Only returning starter on DL from 2025, leads team with 2 ½ tackles for loss and a sack with 14 total tackles

KEY MATCHUPS

LSU Slot Corner vs. Mario Craver

If Baker’s personnel remains the same as it was at the conclusion of the Ole Miss game, Tamarcus Cooley will see a majority of the coverage reps in the slot. That could spell dangers against a prolific receiver in Craver who does most of his damage as a slot receiver. He will undoubtedly have his matchups against corners DJ Pickett and PJ woodland as well, but Craver needs to be circled any time he finds himself lined up against a safety or a linebacker.

LSU Guards vs. DJ Hicks & CJ Mims

There has still been no confirmation as to whether starting guards Bo Bordelon and Aliou Bah will retain that role heading into Saturday’s matchup. The entire front has underperformed at times, but the guard spots were responsible for much of the pressure that harassed Leavitt against the Rebels. Mims and Hicks have combined for just nine tackles, 1 ½ tackles for loss and half a sack through the first three games. Both units had their pride injured in losses last week. Whichever one responds better could decide the game.

STATS AND TRENDS TO KNOW

LSU leads the all-time series versus Texas A&M 36-25-3.

The Aggies have won four of the last six meetings between the schools.

Kiffin’s teams are 29-14 in games following a loss. He has not lost back-to-back games since 2022 (lost final four games of the season).

Since Baker took over as DC in 2024, LSU is 13-7 when allowing less than 60 rushing yards to opposing QBs.

THE OUTLOOK

The game will come down to the quarterbacks. If Reed is allowed to run rampant across Tiger Stadium again, any offense LSU is able to produce would have a hard time keeping up. Baker and the pass rushers will need to prioritize keeping him in the pocket and making Reed win the game with his arm. If that happens, it will be up to a secondary that still has things to prove after it was untested in the first two weeks and exploited by Trinidad Chambliss. Leavitt has the playmaking ability to change the game himself, but he will need to settle in at home. That starts with the offensive line keeping the pocket clean so Leavitt can keep his eyes downfield and the run game producing on early downs to limit Elko’s third-down defense. Both teams need a win to keep College Playoff hopes alive heading into grueling SEC schedules. LSU did not handle similar pressure well in the first half at Ole Miss last week. Whichever side does will come away with the win.