ESPN College Gameday picks LSU vs Texas A&M game

Who did Nick Saban and the ESPN College GameDay crew pick in the LSU vs. Texas A&M game on Saturday evening in Baton Rouge?

With a wave of Top 25 matchups that will shake up the polls and help gain more clarity as to what the race for the College Football Playoffs might look like as we inch closer to November, here’s how the ESPN crew sees the Top 20 matchup between the Tigers and Aggies play out on Saturday when the teams kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Desmond Howard: “I’m going with the Aggies, just too much firepower on offense. I’m going with Texas A&M.

Pat McAfee: I know how difficult it is to play down there at LSU, obviously. They are going to have a phenomenal defense, but I believe in Elko. I’ve seen it from day one with this Elko-led team. I’m going to continue to ride with them. I think it’s a huge win for A&M.

Nick Saban: I think LSU is going to play one of their best games of the year. I also think this is an opportunity for Texas A&M to say we really have the right stuff to be complete. And I think they can and they will. I’m going with Texas A&M.

Nate Bargatze (Guest Picker): I’ve got LSU, they kept it close last week against the best team I the country. I don’t think they should have any trouble with A&M. LSU in a blowout.

LSU vs. Texas A&M: The Bengal Tiger staff’s Game Predictions

Matthew Brune

With its back against the wall, it’s do or die for this LSU season on Saturday night, and with potential rain and thunderstorms in the forecast, I can only guarantee one thing — this game will be ridiculous. Death Valley at night is truly something unlike anything I’ve seen in sports, but the home team still has to show up. We saw last year against Alabama what it looks like when Brian Kelly’s team takes it for granted after a loss.

I don’t think this Texas A&M team is elite. Offensively, Marcel Reed has become a better passer, but they’ll still need to establish the run against LSU to win this game. I retain enough faith in Blake Baker to make this ugly and get off the field in third downs, which is an area Texas A&M struggles to convert. Garrett Nussmeier is still a quality quarterback, but facing an excellent pass rush down both tackles is asking a lot. LSU has to find some kind of run game to win on Saturday, potentially in the rain.

Every week we see college football results that don’t make sense. Almost everything on paper indicates the Aggies are the better team and should be favored, but I think the desperation kicks in and this game feels a lot like the Ole Miss game last year. LSU shouldn’t win this game, but finds a way as Death Valey saves Brian Kelly.

Prediction: LSU 23, Texas A&M 21

Bryce Koon

I want to believe. I really want too. I want to think that the mystique of Death Valley is going to propel this team and staff to wake up and early Sunday morning we will be discussing about a complete 180 from this group. I hope.

What do I think? I don’t believe in this LSU offense to score on this defense. I just don’t. I worry that the pressure is going to be too great on the defense. The result? LSU is in this heading into the back half of the third quarter. The Aggies pull away, winning by double digits

Prediction: Texas A&M 34, LSU 23

Shea Dixon

Before I get ahead of myself, a quick glance at the final score below shows I’m buying on LSU winning on Saturday night despite what the reality of the season has brought for both teams. Texas A&M is playing much better football than LSU, are undefeated, and play very good complementary football. This is a tougher task than losses at Vanderbilt and Ole Miss. How can LSU win given the struggles that have been there from Week 1 through the loss in Nashville a week ago? The answer is likely – for the first time this season – playing a complete game with the offense and defense both finding success. It’s a balance that’s evaded LSU this year. When they had a defense, the offense sputtered. In the loss to Vanderbilt, it was the inverse. If the Tigers can put it all together once in 12 games, this needs to be it.

Then there’s the reason to even consider predicting an upset: regardless of talent or performance to date, LSU doesn’t lose very often in Death Valley, and Saturday night’s sellout crowd should help shrink the gap between the two teams. I’ll go out on a limb and pick the Tigers to win on a night when Garrett Nussmeier plays his best game of the season after solid showings the past weeks.

Prediction: LSU 27, Texas A&M 24