LSU vs Arkansas Week 8 Preview

Erik Trosclair • October 17, 2024

Let's get into it!

Date & Time: Saturday, October 19, 2024 6:00 PM

Location: Reynolds Razorback Stadium

TV: ESPN

Spread: LSU -2.5

O/U: 55.5


The Battle for the Boot is set for this Saturday night in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Each of the last 4 meetings have all been settled by 3 points. This will be the 70th meeting between LSU and Arkansas. LSU leads the series 42-23-2. LSU had 2 victories vacated. The 1st meeting between these schools took place in 1901; LSU was victorious 15-0. LSU has won the previous 2 contests in this series, and Arkansas has not beat LSU in Fayetteville since 2014.


Arkansas (RV) is 4-2 on the season. While the Razorbacks are coming off of a bye week, this will be their 4th straight SEC game. Offensive coordinator, Bobby Petrino, yes that Bobby Petrino, has brought new life to this Arkansas offense. This offense is 4th in the SEC in total yards per game (484.3), 5th in the SEC in passing yards per game (285.3), and 4th in the SEC in rushing yards per game (199). The Arkansas offense is led by quarterback Taylen Green. The Boise State transfer is 4th in the SEC in passing yards with (1502) and the 2nd most rushing yards by a quarterback in the SEC (326). Green is a little dinged up, but he should be up for this one. Running back Ja'Quinden Jackson, a Utah transfer, has the 4th most rushing yards in the SEC (566) and the 3rd most rushing TDs in the SEC (10). Andrew Armstrong is the leader in the receiving room; he currently has the 3rd most receiving yards in the SEC (552). The Arkansas defense is 9th in the SEC in total yards given up (321.5), 11th in the SEC in passing yards per game (215), and 5th in the SEC in rushing yards per game (106.5). This defense is led by linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. Xavian has 40 tackles on the season, which is the 12th most in the SEC. Defensive linemen Landon Jackson and Eric Gregory are the leaders up front. Jackson, who is a former LSU Tiger, has 2.5 sacks on the season and 22 tackles. Gregory, who is a 6th year senior, has 2.5 sacks on the season and 17 tackles. Defensive back TJ Metcalf has 3 interceptions, and he is 2nd on the team in total tackles with 35.


LSU (#8/#8) is coming off of a massive upset win over rival Ole Miss. This will be the Tigers 2nd consecutive SEC game and their 3rd SEC contest of the season. Joe Sloan has done a great job with this Tiger offense so far this season, and defensive coordinator Blake Baker is everything Tiger fans could have asked for, and then some! This Tiger offense is 5th in the SEC in total yards per game (460.3), 2nd in the SEC in passing yards per game (337), and 15th in the SEC in rushing yards per game (123.3). This offense goes as quarterback Garrett Nussmeier goes. Currently, Nuss has the 13th highest QBR in the nation, 6th most passing yards in the nation (1989), and the 5th most passing TDs in the nation with 18. Pass catchers Kyren Lacy, Aaron Anderson, and Mason Taylor are the leaders in the receiver and tight end rooms. Kyren has the 5th most receiving yards in the SEC (463), and he is tied for the most receiving TDs in the SEC (6). Anderson is tied for the 6th most receiving yards in the SEC (452). Lacy and Anderson are tied for the 8th most receptions in the SEC (30). Mason Taylor has the 4th most receptions in the SEC (33). This Tiger defense stepped up big time in last week's victory over Ole Miss. Bradyn Swinson and Sai'vion Jones are the leaders coming off the edge for the Tiger defense. Jones has the 6th most sacks in the SEC (4.5), and Swinson has the 5th most sacks in the nation (7.0). Whit Weeks and Greg Penn III are the leaders at the linebacker position. Weeks has the 10th most tackles in the nation (59). Penn III has the 6th most tackles in the SEC (47). Zy Alexander and Ashton Stamps have really held it down in the defensive backfield for the Tigers. Stamps is tied for the 13th most passes defended in the nation (6), and Alexander has 2 interceptions on the season. Kicker Damian Ramos continues to show up when the Tigers need him.


KEYS TO THE GAME

- Hangover - After an overtime win last week, will the Tigers keep up the intensity in this one?

- Air it out - This Razorback defense is near the bottom of the conference in passing defense. Let's see if the Tigers can continue the air attack.

- Pressure - This Arkansas offensive line has given up the 6th most sacks in the SEC, and LSU's defense has the 2nd most sacks in the SEC. Will the Tigers get after Taylen Green?

- Run Run Run - Can Josh Williams and Caden Durham continue to show up when the Tigers need them? While the stat sheet isn't jam packed with great rushing stats, Williams and Durham have shown up big time for the Tigers.


Fun Fact: Arkansas wide receiver Monte Harrison, #82, played for the Miami Marlins and the Los Angeles Angels. Harrison was committed to play baseball and football at Nebraska but decided to go the professional route after being drafted in the 2nd round of the 2014 MLB draft by the Brewers. Like Wu Tang said cream get the money.


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OG 
Riley Rushing- (D2) Mars Hill U 
Riley Rushing fits Tulane as a 6’4”, 295-pound versatile interior offensive lineman (OG with OT experience) with proven D-II starting production, elite physical finish, block-sustaining ability, and pancake-heavy run-game dominance who immediately adds competition and depth to a revamped OL room needing toughness and flexibility after key graduations. 
He’s a junior transfer from Mars Hill University (D-II, North Carolina) who committed on January 5, 2026, via the portal (entered November 20, 2025). A product of Milton HS in Alpharetta, GA (near Atlanta), he has two years of eligibility remaining (#71).  
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• Versatility and technique: Two-year starter who has lined up at both OG and OT (plus interior flexibility). Excels at sustaining blocks and piling up pancakes; recorded zero sacks allowed in the 2025 season despite heavy snaps. 
• Intangibles: Southeast ties (Alpharetta, GA) and a reputation as a relentless, high-motor finisher who brings toughness and football IQ from a competitive D-II program. Tulane targeted portal OLs with immediate starting upside to replace departed starters like LT Derrick Graham and LG Shadre Hurst. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X
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