Oklahoma v LSU 

Oklahoma goes on the road this week, traveling to Death Valley to face LSU and the Bayou Bengals. The past two times these teams met, they were both in the postseason, one being the national championship game that LSU won 21-7, with the likes of Nick Saban and that strong Tiger defense back in 2003. The second time was the 2019 LSU Tigers with the likes of Joe Burrow, Justin Jefferson, and Ja’Marr Chase, who absolutely TORCHED the Sooners in the College Football Playoff game 63-28. Both performances ended national championship hopes for both Sooner teams and ended in a national championship for LSU. 

However, the storylines are different this year. Oklahoma just had its win of the season as a first-year SEC member, knocking off #7 Alabama in a dominant win. Oklahoma is running with high serotonin levels, and now they visit Baton Rouge in hopes of saving face to their current 6-5 season. 

LSU also has hopes of ending the season strong and to get a win after a disappointing month of October, as the Tigers dropped three games in a row to Texas A&M, Alabama, and a devastating loss to Florida in the Swamp. With this being the first time Oklahoma had visited Baton Rouge in these teams’ long history, LSU fans will be sure to pack the house and give Oklahoma a warm SEC welcome. It will be a night game in Death Valley, and those are difficult to win for any visiting team (unless you are Alabama). 

While these two teams’ records show fault, they are still highly athletic and bruisers of teams to play. There are 2 key matchups in this game that, in my mind, will dictate the outcome. The first is going to be Jackson Arnold’s legs, as he is a good runner and that has been the Tigers’ biggest weakness. College football fans will remember Jalen Milroe rushing 12 times against the Tiger defense for 185 yards and 4 touchdowns. What makes it worse is that two weeks before, LSU was up against Texas A&M 17-7 at halftime, only to lose to scrambling quarterback Marcel Reed, who came into the game and led the Aggies to a wild 38-23 comeback win. 

If Jackson Arnold can rush consistently and bite away for big gains, it will be another long night for LSU. Force Arnold to throw, as that is not his strong suit (if LSU safeties hold). 

The second and last takeaway is the Oklahoma defense versus the LSU offense, as those are both the strengths of these teams. LSU’s offensive line has been inconsistent all year, good games in some places and terrible games, such as the 7 sacks given up against the Gators. On the contrary, when playing teams like Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas, the offensive line dominated and didn’t give up a sack or give Nussmeier a clean pocket. If Oklahoma makes Nussmeier uncomfortable, LSU WILL lose this game. Time and time again, fans have seen Nussmeier get harassed in the pocket, forcing LSU to try and lean on a subpar run game that is lucky to get 3 yards a carry. LSU’s offense is based on how well its passing game is. If the passing game can be interrupted and make Nussmeier uncomfortable in the pocket, LSU could be looking at a 7-5 season. 

In the end, Oklahoma is coming off of a big emotional win beating Alabama. Now they have to go to one of the hardest environments they have ever played in, Death Valley at night… Good luck with that one. In the end,

 I do see LSU pulling away with this win. I think LSU is a better team all around, and I think the one aspect of the team that has improved the most is the defense. It has shown some life and has played the most consistently and fairly. You can gauge the defense better than the offense. With the offense, every game you do not know what you will get. With the defense, you have a fairly good idea. 

My prediction: I think the Tigers come out looking for blood and win the game 28-17. As always, GEAUX TIGAHS!!!