No. 6 Texas vs. No. 21 LSU preview: Talented Tigers host Longhorns in monumental matchup

It doesn’t get much bigger than a night game in Baton Rouge. No matter your conference or how the season is going, getting to matchup against the LSU Tigers underneath the lights in Death Valley is magical. Considering the implications of the contest on Saturday, a battle between two top-25 teams ranked in the top 15 fighting to compete in the playoffs at the conclusion of the regular season, the stakes cannot be understated.

The Tigers boast a 5-3 record including a 5-1 mark at home. Under first year head coach Lane Kiffin, LSU has throttled a handful of teams on their schedule, but dropped two close ones against more formidable opponents. In wins, the Tigers’ average margin of victory is 42.4 points. Meanwhile, two of their three losses were by one score, including an overtime defeat by Kentucky.

Most recently, Alabama pulled away in the second half for a 31-13 victory that undoubtedly left Tiger fans feeling frustrated. LSU had a 13-10 lead in the second half before Alabama scored 21 unanswered points.

The theme for the LSU season has been a really talented squad that makes life harder on themselves. There is talent across the board, and at times it has really clicked. However, at times, things fall apart. Issues in the red zone, on fourth down, and protecting the football have made it tough for the Tigers to consistently dominate.

The Longhorn defense will be tasked with corralling yet another explosive offense. Led by quarterback Sam Leavitt, who Texas defeated in the CFB Playoffs while he was at Arizona State, the LSU offense is dangerous, ranking near the top of the SEC in offensive metrics across the board. They have star power at running back and wide receiver, along with a scheme that generates big plays.

Defensively, the Tigers are stingy and generate pressure. LSU slots better than the Texas defense in yards allowed per game, rush defense, pass defense, and third-down conversion rate. In three losses, the Tiger defense has surrendered 32.67 points per game, meaning the defense is gettable but can be suffocating when playing at a high level.

With three losses and an embarrassing finish last week, LSU’s postseason is in jeopardy. I’d expect a team playing with desperation and looking to make a statement come Saturday.

Here’s how the Tigers break down position by position.

Offense

The LSU offense has firepower. The talent and production are undeniable. However, things haven’t run smoothly the entire season and the Alabama contest was a great example of that — LSU netted 457 yards and 27 first downs, but scored just 13 points. A combination of red-zone and fourth-down woes resulted in empty drives.

Quarterback

Leavitt has reestablished himself as one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the country. At 6’2, 207 pounds, he is very comfortable operating in tempo and extending plays with his legs. He’s put up video game-like passing numbers in a handful of games, most recently passing for 380 yards against Alabama.

However, Leavitt has also shown a propensity for making poor decisions. He’s thrown eight interceptions and his tape showcases a talented gunslinger who will make questionable choices.

So far this season, he’s tallied 2,534 passing yards with 17 touchdowns while completing 69.7 percent of his passes. He’s a true dual threat, adding 340 yards on the ground on 87 carries and a team-leading eight rushing scores.

The former Big 12 Freshman of the Year is a talented quarterback. He can do a lot of things at a really high level. However, he has struggled at times with consistency, turnover throws, and converting yards into points. Using a wide range of looks to confuse the Leavitt will likely be near the top of the priority list for the Longhorns.

Running back

So far this season, the Texas defense has faced four of the top five running backs in the SEC. The fifth and final player is LSU’s Dilin Jones.

The redshirt sophomore has carried the ball 166 times for 713 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns while adding 37 catches for 245 receiving yards. Jones has established himself as a workhorse back — he gets a lot of touches and can wear down a defense.

In recent weeks, he’s been more heavily featured through the air with 26 catches in the last four games alone.

Jones is most effective between the tackles, but has struggled to provide the explosiveness that Kiffin fully desired for his offense. As a result, Harlem Berry and Stacy Gage will occasionally spell Jones and provide LSU with a spark. Berry averages 6.1 yards per carry while Gage is up to 7.9.

The LSU run game has been successful for most of the season, but was shut down by the Alabama front last week. Just 77 net rushing yards and a 2.3 average carry was the worst performance of the season for the Tigers.

Wide receiver

The wide receiver room for LSU is a three-headed monster led by Jackson Harris. After spending two years at Stanford, Harris transferred to Hawaii, where he exploded as a pass catcher. In his first season at LSU, the 6’2, 205-pound wide receiver has reeled in 47 catches for 807 yards and seven touchdowns with an impressive 18.2 yards per catch.

Harris is a legit pass catcher who can stretch the field and create explosive plays on any down. He’s got great size and will be a matchup challenge for the grabby Texas secondary.

The spotlight on Harris has opened up ample opportunities for Winston Watkins and Eugene Wilson. Watkins opted to follow Kiffin from Ole Miss and has been a reliable target with 39 catches for 495 yards and two touchdowns. Smaller in stature compared to Harris, Watkins provides quickness and speed after the catch.

Wilson is a former Freshman All-American who has reeled in 30 passes for 345 yards and a touchdown. Less explosive than the other two wide outs, Wilson rounds out the group nicely making this position room one of the deepest in the conference.

Together, this trio gives Leavitt plenty of options. Harris is a difference maker on every play, but the combination of these three is one aspect that makes the offense dangerous.

Tight end

At tight end, 6’7, 242-pound Trey’Dez Green is a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses. His remarkable size makes him a tough cover for defensive backs while his speed challenges linebackers. So far this season he’s played in fives games and contributed 29 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns. When he plays, he is highly effective.

Last season, Green was a red-zone weapon, catching seven touchdowns. His best performance was last weekend against Alabama when he reeled in 10 catches for 85 yards.

Offensive line

LSU invested heavily in the offensive line this past season, bringing in a talented crop of transfers to play immediately, the most notable being left tackle Jordan Seaton, a five-star transfer. So far this season, the Tiger offensive line has been inconsistent.

They have dominated overmatched fronts and put together one of the best rushing attacks in the conference, but failed to do much against elite defenses. Alabama stymied the run game and there have been stretches of games where Leavitt is under heavy duress.

If this group struggles come Saturday, the outcome of the game swings heavily in favor of the Longhorns.

The Tiger offense is uber talented and can move the ball. However, the strengths of the Texas defense match up relatively well against the Tiger offense. Winning at the line of scrimmage dictates the tone of the game, and is one of the strongest aspects of the Texas defense.

In addition, stopping potent running backs has been a strength of the defense and will once again be required on Saturday. If Texas can overwhelm the LSU offensive line and put Leavitt under duress, the likelihood he turns the ball over rises.

All in all, I’d expect the Texas defense to concede a fair bit of yards. There is too much talent to fully dismantle the LSU offense. If Texas can win in the red zone and force a few turnovers, the Longhorns will be in a good position to win.

Defense

The LSU defense is a highly-athletic, uber-aggressive bunch. This group is arguably more impressive than Kiffin’s offense. It is disruptive up front, gets after the quarterback, and boasts great size in the secondary. The defense ranks near the top of the SEC across the board.

Defensive line

The strength of this defense is up front. This unit is big and quick, both inside and outside. And, as a result, leads the country in sacks.

On the outside, Princewill Umanmielen wrecks havoc. Originally from Manor, just a short drive from Austin, Umanmielen is in his first season at LSU after following Kiffin from Ole Miss. At 6’4, 244 pounds, he moves his frame with ease. His length and athleticism have caused issues for tackles around the SEC. With 8.5 sacks, he is second in the conference behind Texas’ Colin Simmons.

Opposite of Umanmielen is Jordan Ross, a Tennessee transfer. Ross is another legit pass rusher and has recorded five sacks this season. Together, they generate pressure without relying on additional defenders blitzing.

On the inside, LSU boasts Stephiylan Green, Malik Blockton, and Deuce Geralds. Geralds has been the surprise star of the bunch. The true freshman arrived on campus and has immediately made an impact. He’s tallied 26 tackles, five tackles for loss, and five sacks, along with a forced fumble.

Green and Blockton have also been excellent. With superb size and quickness, they won’t necessarily overpower an offensive line, but can win in a variety of ways and utilize their quickness extremely well.

The LSU front poses a huge challenge for the Texas offense. The Tigers have been able to generate sacks from a variety of sources and disrupt opposing offensive lines up the middle and outside. The quickness that LSU boasts up front could spell disaster for the Longhorns if not properly managed.

Linebacker

Tabbed as the “alpha” of the defense, star linebacker Whit Weeks remains sidelined with a broken fibula. In his absence, TJ Dottery, another Ole Miss transfer that followed Kiffin, has stepped up at the second level. At 6’2, 225 pounds, Dottery has good size and a strong track record. Last season he recorded 98 tackles, and this season he’s contributed 68, along with three passes defended, a half sack, and two forced fumbles.

He’s taken on more responsibility and done well but is simply not Weeks.

Another important figure in the linebacker room is Davhon Keys. Keys was the leading tackler for the Tigers last season, and has impressed this season.

The linebacker group has reaped the benefits of an impressive defensive line. If Texas can manage the front four, the linebackers will be forced to aid at the line of scrimmage which would open up windows at the intermediate level of the field.

I’d expect Texas to test the sideline-to-sideline speed of this bunch as well their coverage ability against Longhorns coming out of the backfield.

Secondary

The size of the Tiger secondary jumps off the page. This group has length across the board and real power at the safety position.

Former five-star DJ Pickett is one of the cover corners for LSU. He was a Freshman All-American last season and has incredible length at 6’4. Texas wideouts won’t have the height advantage against him that they have had against previous secondaries.

On the other side is PJ Woodland. Woodland has more experience than Pickett and is in his third season as a Tiger. He’s defended six passes this season.

Leading the secondary is safety Ty Benefield, a high-profile transfer who brings experience and production. He started 33 games at Boise State while being named 2025 first -team All-Mountain West.

At 6’3, 215 pounds, he packs a punch. Benefield’s size serves him well in run support and allows him to play closer to the line. His directional speed and coverage are two weaknesses that have other teams have attempted to exploit. Expect Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian to isolate Benefield in coverage.

Another name to know is Tamarcus Cooley. Cooley is an extremely versatile player with experience across the field. He can line up in the slot or at either safety position and leads the team in interceptions.

The LSU defense has talent all around the ball, but it relies heavily on the front four. If Texas can tire out the opposing defensive line and challenge the linebackers, windows should open up down the field. Strong play from quarterback Arch Manning will almost certainly be required. There is little doubt that he will be forced to evade the pass rush, make throws on the run, and manage the offense while under duress.

Special teams

Sophomore Scott Starzyk handles place kicking for the Tigers. He’s perfect on extra points while connecting on 11-of-14 (78.6 percent) of field goal attempts with a long of 49 yards. He’s only attempt one field goal of 50 yards or more, a testament to Kiffin’s aggressiveness more than Starzyk’s leg strength.

Grant Chadwick is the LSU punter, he averages 39.9 yards per punt.

Wide receiver Eugene Wilson returns punts while backup running back Harlem Berry handles kickoffs. Neither has been particularly impactful this season.

LSU is arguably the most talented squad that Texas will face this season. It is almost bewildering as to how they have lost three games. Given the position they are in, I’d expect a hungry Tiger team to take the field on Saturday.

For the Longhorn defense, winning in critical spots is more important than limiting yards. The Tigers will almost certainly move the ball. Winning on third and fourth downs, and in their own end of the field will ultimately be what allows the Longhorns to thwart the Tigers.

On the other side of the ball, executing in key moments will also be critical. Texas will need to take advantage of opportunities when they arise and stay as far away from penalties, sacks, and turnovers as possible. Getting behind the chains is a recipe for disaster against this team at their field. If Manning can navigate the pocket, extend plays with his legs, and deliver the ball quickly, there will be points to be had.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Central on ABC.