Mandatory Credit: Photo by Sam Craft/AP/Shutterstock (13630542f) Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman (15) looks to pass down field against Massachusetts during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in College Station, Texas UMass Texas A M Football, College Station, United States – 19 Nov 2022
The finale; Game preview: Texas A&M vs. No. 5 LSU
THE MATCHUP: Texas A&M (4-7-) vs. LSU (9-2)
Game time: 6 p.m. CT
TV/radio: ESPN/SiriusXM 190
What’s at stake: A positive end to a disastrous season for the Aggies.
When the Aggies have the ball:
Texas A&M has scored 30+ points one time in their 11 games this season. There won’t be a second occasion.
It will undoubtedly be a busy offseason for head coach Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies as they attempt to quickly put a disappointing 2022 season in the rearview mirror. Before they can do that, the LSU Tigers will invade College Station for the regular season finale on Saturday.
A&M is hoping to get two of their most lethal playmakers back on Saturday, RB Devon Achane and WR Evan Stewart, who both missed last week’s game against UMass. Freshman quarterback Conner Weigman will undoubtedly welcome Achane and Steward back with open arms as the offense for the Aggies limps to the finish line.
For a struggling Texas A&M offensive line, the whereabouts of DE B.J. Ojulari will need to be known at all times. The junior pass rusher has collected five sacks this season and often plugs up running lanes for the opposition.
When LSU has the ball:
There will be College Football Playoff implications on Saturday– for the Bayou Bengals, of course, not the Aggies.
In his first year as LSU’s head coach, Chip Kelly has put his program in position to win their 10th game as they stroll onto Kyle Field.
One of the very few bright spots for Texas A&M this year has been their defense, particularly the Aggies’ defense against the pass. The Aggies rank second in the country in passing yards allowed per game (152.5) and will need to continue such a performance when LSU comes to town.
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is a true dual threat, bad news for an A&M defense that struggles to stop the run. Daniels leads all collegiate QBs with 740 yards on the ground in 2022, and he also takes care of the football. Daniels has only two interceptions this season.
Key Aggies to watch:
QB Conner Weigman
The 12th Man and Aggies everywhere are hoping for better days. If better days are indeed to come- it will be a charge led by Weigman.
The true freshman passed for 191 cold and wet yards and a touchdown last week against UMass, and was without two of his best playmakers- RB Devon Achane and WR Evan Stewart.
Weigman also found some production on the ground last week versus UMass, an element of his game that should be expected to grow as the freshman continues to develop as QB1 for the Aggies.
S Demani Richardson
With the end of a collegiate football season comes goodbyes to seniors who are on their way out. For the A&M defense, nobody will be missed more than safety Demani Richardson.
The Aggies will need Richardson to finish his career in maroon, much as he started it, being a problem for the opposition’s attempts to run the football. With a quarterback like LSU’s Jayden Daniels, the A&M defense will need to make stopping the LSU running-game priority number one. The good news? That’s Richardson’s specialty.
The bottom line:
The Aggies desperately want an end to the nightmare that’s been the 2022 season. LSU has their eyes set on a College Football Playoff berth. Two teams, two separate motivations– and that will be evident on Saturday night in College Station.
Prediction: LSU 31, Texas A&M 17