The LSU Tigers are set to return to Death Valley for a highly anticipated SEC rivalry game against the Arkansas Razorbacks this Saturday. This Week 12 matchup comes after the Tigers have endured three straight losses to the Vanderbilt Commodores, Texas A&M Aggies, and Alabama Crimson Tide. Interim coach Frank Wilson will be looking to turn the tide in his first game at home.
Following the dismissal of head coach Brian Kelly in late October, Wilson made his debut against Alabama last weekend. Now, he aims to guide the Tigers back to victory against a capable Arkansas team that poses a serious threat. “They”re certainly formidable from that aspect, which makes them extremely dangerous,” Wilson stated. “You watch them against Ole Miss; you watch Mississippi State, on and on and on. They”re in games where they could easily have two or three more wins that they did not. They always play us tough, always have. So we”re expecting to get their very best. We”ll have to score touchdowns in this game; that”ll have to happen. That”s a non-negotiable because they can score. I think he”s a very talented player.”
The spotlight will be on Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green, whose dual-threat capabilities could challenge the LSU defense. “He”s 6″6, athletic, and he”s a legit 4.40 guy. It almost at times looks like he”s gliding because of his stride. He”s a good player,” Wilson remarked. “They”re prolific, in my opinion, the eighth-ranked offense in the country. They can score. They”ve been behind against opponents and rallied back because of his unique skill set to both run and throw the ball. They were averaging 35 points a game. They can rush the ball from the quarterback position by design; they can hand it off as well, and they have some receivers that can make plays for him.”
As of now, LSU is favored by 5.5 points at home against Arkansas, with the Tigers eager to end their three-game losing streak. According to the expert computer model by Bill Connelly”s SP+, LSU has a 61 percent chance of winning in Death Valley, while Arkansas stands at 39 percent for the upset. The projected score favors LSU with a close call at 31-27.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 11:45 a.m. CT from Tiger Stadium and will be broadcasted on the SEC Network.
