In conjunction with the 2015 Southeastern Conference Media Days, this is the third of a three-part series looking at LSU’s SEC opponents for the 2015 season. The opponents will appear in chronological order of the 2015 schedule.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
Last year’s results: 7-6, 2-6 SEC; Defeated Texas in the AdvoCare Texas Bowl
Returning starters: 9 on offense, 6 on defense
2015 date with LSU: Saturday, Nov. 14, Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge (TBA)
Last meeting with LSU: Nov. 15, 2014: On a chilly night in Fayetteville, Arkansas, a struggling Razorback team finally got its first SEC win since 2012, and it came in the form of a shutout against the Tigers. LSU was held to a season-low 123 total yards, missed two field goals and turned the ball over once in the red zone as it fell to Arkansas, 17-0. The Tigers were unable to get anything going on the ground as it gained just 12 rushing yards, and the offense was only 6-of-14 on third-down opportunities.
Major storyline facing Arkansas in 2015:
Is it Arkansas’ year to make a run? The experienced Razorbacks’ hopes of an SEC West title may come on the shoulders of senior quarterback Brandon Allen. Arkansas will continue to be a run-heavy team in pro-style offense, but the addition of offensive coordinator Dan Enos will be huge for Allen’s progression. Allen, who threw the fewest interceptions of any every-game starter in the SEC, should have plenty of help in the run game with four returning offensive lineman and two 1,000-yard rushers from 2014. Defensively, they lose four starters in the front seven, but three starters in the secondary returns. The Hogs may not have the second-ranked total defense in the SEC again, but their offense could be enough to make Bret Bielema’s squad a legitimate threat in the SEC West.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
Last year’s results: 9-4, 5-3 SEC; Lost to TCU in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Returning starters: 9 on offense, 7 on defense
2015 date with LSU: Saturday, Nov. 21, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi (TBA)
Last meeting with LSU: Oct. 25, 2015: In another quintessential SEC slugfest, a late LSU touchdown and two critical stops propelled the Tigers to a 10-7 win against the Rebels. LSU ran the ball 12 straight times before fooling the Ole Miss defense inside the five-yard line with a play-action touchdown pass from quarterback Anthony Jennings to tight end Logan Stokes. After LSU forced the Rebels to turn the ball over on downs in their previous possession, Ole Miss drove the ball past the 50-yard line on the final possession of the game. Rebel coach Hugh Freeze elected to bring his offense back on the field instead of attempting a 47-yard field goal, resulting in an interception from quarterback Bo Wallace with two seconds remaining.
Major storyline facing Ole Miss in 2015: Who replaces Wallace at quarterback? While the talent and production of Wallace was evident, most Rebel fans didn’t know if they would see “Good Bo” or “Bad Bo” each week. However you look at him, Wallace helped re-establish a struggling program, but his days in Oxford are over. Freeze is now tasked with replacing him with one of three options, including dual-threat transfer Chad Kelly. Once a Clemson Tiger before being dismissed from the team, Kelly flourished in junior college and some believe he is the likely choice to win the job. Ryan Buchanan is Kelly’s stiffest competition and was in the lead after the spring game concluded, according to Freeze. Whether it is Kelly or Buchanan, the Rebels have plenty of experience in other places to formidable SEC West team. But the quarterback position is always the great equalizer.
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
Last year’s results: 8-5, 3-5 SEC; Defeated West Virginia in the Autozone Liberty Bowl
Returning starters: 8 on offense, 8 on defense
2015 date with LSU: Saturday, Nov. 28, Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge (TBA)
Last meeting with LSU: Although this game ultimately was close down the stretch, LSU dominated the Aggies on the ground, including 100-yard rushing performances from quarterback Anthony Jennings and running back Leonard Fournette, to close the regular season with 23-17 win on Thanksgiving Night. Fournette staked his claim as a future star in college football with a bruising, 22-yard touchdown scamper, where he ran over Texas A&M safety Howard Matthews in the process. After a crucial field goal by kicker Colby Delahoussaye to put LSU up by six late in the game, the Tigers needed an interception from corner Jalen Collins to kill an Aggie drive and secure the victory.
Major storyline facing Texas A&M in 2015: Can new defensive coordinator John Chavis revamp the defense? If you talk about the Aggies, you have to mention offense first. Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin has made a living producing high-powered offense, including the top passing offense in the SEC all three seasons he’s been in College Station. But the one guy who always seemed to have an answer for him was Chavis, whose LSU defense forced eight turnovers in three games against Sumlin. So when Texas A&M was in the market for a coordinator and Chavis was looking to move on from the Tigers, it was match made in heaven. Fortunately for Chavis, he inherits eight returners, including former freshman All-American Myles Garrett. The Aggies should be able to score plenty of points, but Chavis’ defense will be key.
A look at the final three SEC opponents on LSU’s schedule
By James Bewers
July 15, 2015
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