LSU @ TEXAS A&M (A&M -1.5, 54.5)
CFB ODDS, CFB PREDICTIONS, CFB PREVIEWS
TIGERS @ AGGIES 10/26/24
No. 14 Texas A&M may be able to dominate the Southeastern Conference this season and stay under the radar while doing so. The Aggies (6-1, 4-0) are one of just two undefeated teams in SEC play after quietly winning six straight games after losing the season opener at home against Notre Dame.
The Aggies will be put to the test on Saturday. No. 8 LSU, the other unbeaten SEC team, travels to College Station, Texas, for a primetime game that could have College Football Playoff implications. Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko wants his player to avoid the noise.
Since the calendar changed to September, Texas A&M has been performing well. After their first bye week, the Aggies defeated Mississippi State 34-24 last week thanks to two touchdowns from Le'Veon Moss and converting 9-of-14 third down conversions.
The Aggies' winning run has been largely due to their defense, which ranks in the top 20 in terms of points allowed per game (17.7). They have not been as effective offensively. Additionally, they have been able to get off the field on defense, holding opponents to a third-down conversion rate of 30.9 percent. That mark is tied for 17th in the country.
Elko has good reason to be cautious of the Tigers' offense. They have the balance needed to keep any defense off-balance. They have quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, four talented receivers, and a rising star in running back Caden Durham. Additionally, LSU's offensive line has not given up a sack in four games, including their 34-10 victory over Arkansas last week (6-1, 3-0).
Last week against the Razorbacks, who had just defeated then-No. 4 Tennessee, the Tigers made that task appear pretty simple. Durham, a freshman, ran for 101 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries, and LSU never trailed in the game.
Durham also succeeded in spite of a foot injury that, according to coach Brian Kelly, limited him to about 80 to 85 percent of his potential. Durham is averaging 6.2 yards per carry this season, with 382 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Nussmeier has been a force under center for LSU. This season, he has thrown for 2,222 yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions. With 36 catches each, tight end Mason Taylor and wide receiver Kyren Lacy lead the three Tigers. Last year, LSU defeated Texas A&M 42-30 in Baton Rouge, marking the seventh consecutive year the home team has prevailed in the series.
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COACH RICK FREE PICK:
GARRETT NUSSMEIER OVER 275.5 PASSING YARDS
Nussmeier is seventh in the country in passing yards with 2.222. That’s an average of 317.4 per game. He’s cleared 285 in six of his seven starts this season. Hitting this number shouldn’t be an issue. Texas A&M is a middle-of-the-pack pass defnese. The Aggies allow an average of 11.7 yards per completion, which is going to be a problem against LSU’s receivers. Nussmeier completes over 65 percent of his passes and he’s got four wide receivers with at least 27 receptions.