1. Texas A&M’s offense has been revitalized with the return of quarterback Nick Starkel, at least from the standpoint of the passing game. The Aggies actually aren’t scoring any more points against the better teams on their schedule with Starkel than they were with Kellen Mond at the helm….they’re topping out at 24 points per game. However, Starkel’s ability to get the ball out quickly has improved the focus levels of the rest of the unit on blocking and receiving. Even so, the running game has continued a decline that began even before the change as teams no longer have to respect the quarterback as a running threat.

2. LSU’s defense had enormous problems stopping the run earlier in the season to the extent that non Power 5 program Troy rushed for over 200 yards against them. The unit has gotten much better since then and they held Alabama to a season low 116 yards on the ground a few weeks ago. Their pass defense remains formidable as they are second in the SEC with 33 sacks and have allowed opponents to hit just 53% of their passing attempts on the year.

3. A&M’s RPOs put linebackers and safeties in a bind at the second and third levels of the defense. Opponents continue to bring people into the box versus running game which provides passing lanes to wideout Damion Ratley who has improved his hands and separation. Starkel gets to his progressions more quickly and he’s able to hit people in stride so they can generate yardage after the catch. It helps that he can move the chains via short tosses to Christian Kirk. With the ball coming out more quickly, the offensive line seems to have more confidence in its ability to protect the passer and freshman Carson Green has used his hands and feet effectively to help seal off what was a problem spot.

4. The Tigers may not have outside linebacker Arden Key for this game but he hasn’t been much of a factor all season as a pass rusher (just four sacks after he had 12 a year ago). They get good push on the inside from Christian LaCouture and Greg Gilmore (11.5 sacks combined) and Corey Thompson and freshman K’Lavon Chaisson have picked up the slack on the outside. The big thing is that the secondary is physical, can redirect people on their routes, and fight them for the ball on downfield throws. It’s a young group that’s playing with a lot of confidence. Freshman corner Andraez Williams has four interceptions and ten pass breakups as people like to target him but usually come out second best in that matchup due to his speed and 6 foot 2 height.

5. A&M’s running game has produced five outings of 119 yards or less in its last six games. Other than Auburn (which attacked the quarterback on the mesh as opposed to the running back), the Aggies have faced teams that have tried to keep their linebackers in the box and make A&M default to throwing the ball. A&M is better able to pass protect with Green at tackle but they have even less bulk up front now to displace opponents. Trayveon Williams has had just one 100 yard outing since he went for over 200 versus UCLA in the season opener.

6. LSU’s run defense may be missing senior backer Donnie Alexander who returned to practice this week after sitting out the Tennessee game. LSU’s big defensive linemen have had tendencies to play too high this season which has allowed them to be pushed around and enabled opponents’ blockers to get to the second level of defense. Because of this, the Tigers third and fourth leading tacklers are safeties John Battle and Grant Delpit who have to come up and fill in run support. Sophomore backer Devin White averages ten tackles a game and despite not getting enough protection can read blocks and avoid blockers often enough to make plays.

7. Last season, A&M was able to put the Tigers’ back eight personnel in high/low binds and eventually move the football but by the time they did so it was too late to affect the outcome. The Tigers have young safeties and linebackers and they could be susceptible to motion and play action in order to create throwing and running lanes. Starkel has been accurate and he can generate yardage after the catch for Ratley on slants which has become a much bigger part of the offense as Ratley has been able to beat man coverage to the inside. If the Aggies can protect and create confusion on the back end of LSU’s defense then they can move the ball via their RPOs. However, if A&M can’t find a way to be more physical….which has always been their Achilles heel versus LSU…then the final results will remain the same.

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