The last time LSU and Texas A&M played in Tiger Stadium, the game wasn’t televised.
Granted, the Aggies were on NCAA probation in 1994, which included a TV ban. All of the summer chat about Johnny Manziel’s signature aside, that was never an option this time.
The spotlight is on, as the longtime rivalry returns to Tiger Stadium on Saturday afternoon when the No. 9 Aggies and No. 18 Tigers tussle for bragging rights and bowl positioning.
Despite both teams suffering unexpected October setbacks, the dormant rivalry’s return to Baton Rouge and the national rankings still make for a notable November showdown.
“It’s a big game — the opportunity to play on national television,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “Again, this is the kind of game that you come to LSU to play in. You look forward to playing nationally-ranked teams and the opportunity to play best in front of your friends and family in Tiger Stadium. Can’t wait.”
The spotlight will burn brighter on LSU’s defense, a much-maligned unit tasked with doing the near impossible: slowing Johnny Manziel.
Something has to give here. Either A&M drops a game away from Kyle Field for the first time with Manziel under center, or LSU loses just its second home game in four years.
Though the Tigers have been permeable on defense, its numbers aren’t atrocious. The defense is fourth in the Southeastern Conference in passing defense and total defense.
They can thank the Tiger Stadium slate for that. LSU has allowed just 283.8 yards and 14.6 points per game in five home games.
But those stats were compiled against four teams with a combined losing record and a 6-5 Football Championship Subdivision Furman squad.
That’s a far cry from an A&M team that is the runaway SEC leader in total and scoring offense.
“We know what we’re getting ourself into,” said junior defensive end Jermauria Rasco. “It’s the most athletic QB and offense we’ve probably played all year, maybe since I’ve been here. All eyes will be on us, because we have to stop it.”
Stopping it is easier said than done, as only last year’s iterations of LSU and Florida held the 2012 Heisman winner in check. He’s arguably been better this season.
Miles said LSU may rotate more players in on defense to alleviate the expected strain Manziel and A&M’s up-tempo offense will exert.
“Well, you’re going to have to be in shape,” Miles said. “They’ll come up and tempo you, and then obviously get snap after snap. You’re going to have to get yourself off the field defensively with subs and on third down.”
LSU used its star defensive players last year to hold Manziel to 27 rushing yards, as ends Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo kept the elusive Aggie from escaping the pocket.
That game was also an 11:21 a.m. kickoff in College Station. The projected star talent on the LSU defense hasn’t produced in 2013, but it’ll get the star treatment this year with a national CBS audience for A&M.
“Guys like Mingo and Montgomery did an awesome job last year, but it’s on us now,” said freshman defensive back Dwayne Thomas. “There’s nowhere to hide when you’re playing an offense like theirs.”
Junior defensive tackle Anthony Johnson said Manziel looks like he’s playing “backyard football out there.”
If Johnson and the Tiger defense can’t replicate last year’s masterful performance against A&M, they might wish this backyard brawl wasn’t televised.