BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU and Texas A&M are set to clash Saturday night in Death Valley, a game that could shape each team’s College Football Playoff prospects as the SEC season unfolds. The Tigers (2‑1, 0‑1 SEC) and the Aggies (2‑1, 0‑1 SEC) each suffered their first loss last weekend and now face a decisive test.
Coaches stress learning from setbacks
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko, whose squad was upset by Kentucky at home, reminded his players that “one of the best things about life is you can learn lessons about how to get kicked in the face and how to keep going and get up.” He added that the Aggies must regroup quickly and focus on the upcoming battle in Baton Rouge.
LSU’s Lane Kiffin expressed confidence that both teams will improve. “Every week is new,” Kiffin said. “You can’t look at that game last week and think that’s how Texas A&M is going to show up and play.” He also praised the Aggies, noting they have “too many good players, and Elko’s a great coach.”
Tigers rebound from a tough loss at Ole Miss
LSU’s recent trip to Oxford ended in a 32‑24 defeat to Ole Miss after a dramatic comeback that fell short. Trailing 24‑7, the Tigers rallied to tie the game in the fourth quarter but could not stop Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss from securing the win.
In the aftermath, Kiffin emphasized the need to move forward. “We got to move on because we can’t let that missed opportunity have to do with us losing another game,” he said.
Key injuries for LSU
The Tigers will be without standout tight end Trey’Dez Green and hybrid linebacker‑safety Dashawn Spears. Green, who has caught 14 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown this season, left the Ole Miss game with a knee injury. While the injury is not believed to be season‑ending, his return date is uncertain. Backups Zach Grace and Malachi Thomas are expected to see increased roles.
Spears, known for his length and ability to cover and blitz, also suffered a knee injury in the first half of the Ole Miss game. Kiffin called him “a really special player” and acknowledged the difficulty of replacing his contributions.
Aggies quarterback under fire
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed threw two interceptions in the loss to Kentucky and completed only 21 of his attempts, drawing criticism from some observers. Elko defended Reed, urging fans not to lose faith in the quarterback who has led the Aggies to numerous victories. “People can say whatever they want, but he’s been a really, really successful quarterback at Texas A&M. People better not forget that,” Elko said.
Reed, a sophomore who helped the Aggies reach the CFP last season, enters the game with a career record of 15‑6 as a starter. He will also be without receiver Terry Bussey, who is out for the season with a lower‑body injury.
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt’s challenges
Transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt, coming from Arizona State, struggled against Ole Miss, finishing 16‑of‑27 for 158 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He has been intercepted five times in three games. Kiffin noted the need for greater consistency in the passing game, citing “a lot of incompletions, a lot of dead plays where you’re not getting anything.”
Leavitt’s accuracy has been affected by Ole Miss’s pass rush and the necessity to scramble on many plays. Kiffin praised Leavitt’s running ability and resilience but stressed the importance of delivering the ball on time.
What to watch Saturday night
Both coaches highlighted defense as a critical factor. Kiffin said, “Our ability to contain him [Reed] is going to be such a critical piece of this game. We got to be really, really sound in what we’re doing on defense.” Elko echoed the sentiment, emphasizing discipline and execution.
The outcome will likely influence each team’s path toward the College Football Playoff, with the winner gaining momentum and the loser facing an uphill battle to stay in contention.
Fans can expect a hard‑fought contest in Death Valley, where the stakes are high and the atmosphere electric. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. Central Time, with tickets available through the LSU ticket office and secondary markets.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
