LSU (9-2) travels to College Station to face Texas A&M (4-7) on Saturday night in the regular season finale.
Kickoff is set for 6:05 pm CT on ESPN and LSU Sports Radio Network.
The Tigers hit the road looking for the 17thth 10-win season in school history, but that’s not the focus of the week. The focus will be on completing the preparation necessary to finish the regular season on a high note.
We are in The Lounge with the seniors @unos1_ pic.twitter.com/FeJdtMtYfZ
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) November 23, 2022
“I don’t think they give you any ticker tape,” coach Brian Kelly said of the 10-game winning streak. “But it’s certainly a benchmark when people look back on the seasons. I think we look at the challenges within the program more than the individual wins at this point.”
Coach Kelly has been particularly pleased with the mental toughness his team has displayed throughout the season, especially in last Saturday’s win over UAB. In inclement weather, against a team everyone expects to beat, a week removed from capturing the SEC West, the Tigers didn’t blink and remained dominant.
“Less than ideal conditions, not a full crowd, coming off an incredible environment two weeks ago … all those things usually equate to a change in the way you think,” Kelly said. “I was really proud of them.”
Quarterback Jayden Daniels posted one of his best outings of the year against the Blazers, going 22 of 29 for 297 yards passing with a touchdown and 129 yards rushing with a touchdown. It was his highest graded performance (93.5) of the season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Receiver Malik Nabers was extremely productive, recording seven receptions for 129 yards, averaging 18.4 yards per catch. Running back Noah Cain leads the team in rushing, adding three more last week against UAB to go with 76 yards on 13 carries.
“He’s helped himself,” Kelly said of Cain. “It doesn’t stand out, it’s not going to be a guy that makes a lot of people miss, but do you really have to? He plays low, he’s physical, he’s smart, he catches the ball out of the backfield and he’s reliable in pass defense.”
Defensively, linebacker Greg Penn III also tallied a team-high eight tackles, one for a loss, adding to an impressive sophomore campaign.
The Aggies are led by freshman quarterback Conner Weigman, who has recorded 741 passing yards and six touchdowns. Running back Devon Achane has 887 yards on the ground with six touchdowns. Moose Muhammad leads the receivers with 516 yards and three touchdowns.
Although a young group, there is talent all over the field in College Station. It will be another mental test against a team that will put it all on the line on Saturday night in their final chance of the season.
“It’s definitely as talented of a football team as we’ll see all year,” Kelly said. “They don’t have the wins they wanted, but all they need is one, and that’s to beat LSU. We will have to prepare well and perform well on Saturday.”
“Jimbo is definitely an outstanding football coach,” Kelly added. “I went against him when he was at Florida State. Of course this is their game. They’re going to play their best against us and we’re going to have to come together and step up our game.”
Opportunity awaits pic.twitter.com/6tdHkk2Tqa
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) November 23, 2022
There is still one game left to play in the month built for the contenders.
The tight end has been a strength all year for the Tigers, and there’s only one thing left to do.
“That’s another one,” Kelly said. “It’s going on the road against a really talented team that has nothing to lose, and you have to play well because they’re going to play you.
