After the most thrilling and confidence-inspiring win of the season against Ole Miss, LSU needs to avoid a letdown against this week’s opponent.

The Tigers travel to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas. The Razorbacks are coming off a bye week, and the last four matchups between these two teams have each been decided by just three points.

Here’s how the Reveille Sports Staff predicted the upcoming game.

Jason Willis, Sports Editor | @JasonWillis4

This game is a trap game: LSU’s coming off an emotional win and might find itself looking toward top 15 matchups against Texas A&M and Alabama in the coming weeks. Arkansas, though, always manages to give the Tigers a run for their money.

This year’s Arkansas team managed to beat then No. 4 Tennessee and has shown an ability to hang tight in games against tough opponents. Still, the Razorbacks haven’t proven to be elite at anything. The offense has been poor in SEC play, and the defense has been statistically middling, even though it’s been good at getting off the field on third downs.

As long as LSU comes in focused – meaning the offense plays to its ability and the defense continues the exciting trajectory of last game’s performance – this should be a win. Expect some drama, but the Tigers will come out on top.

Prediction: LSU 24-14 Arkansas

Lizzie Falcetti, Deputy Sports Editor | @lizziefalcetti
The SEC has been a wild ride in the first half of the season, and these two teams have been key parts in creating must-watch entertainment on Saturdays. With LSU’s nail-biting, last-play win over Ole Miss and Arkansas’ upset over then-No. 4 Tennessee, both teams have put themselves in great momentum for this week’s game. 
Quarterback Taylen Green poses a threat to the Tigers with his ability to run. So do the Razorbacks’ running backs, which are physical and consistently create opportunities. LSU will have to contain these opportunities after giving up 180 rushing yards against Ole Miss. 
This LSU team is hot though, and if Garrett Nussmeier is on his A-game, the Tigers will leave Fayetteville with a strong win. I don’t see Arkansas getting back-to-back upsets, but it will keep this game close. 
Prediction: LSU 23-20 Arkansas
Tyler Harden, Senior Sports Reporter | @ttjharden8

LSU has the most momentum it’s had all season going into its matchup with Arkansas. Arkansas also has momentum, despite coming off a bye week, as it knocked off No. 4 Tennessee on Oct. 5. 

The Tigers’ defense is playing some of its best football it’s had in the past two years, which will come in handy given Arkansas’ running threats. Quarterback Taylen Green should be good to go for the Razorbacks, and he provides a significant running threat along with Ja’Quinden Jackson and Braylen Russell in the backfield.

However, between Arkansas’ struggling offensive line, and LSU’s tenacity off the edges recently, it will be hard for the Razorbacks to get large gains on the ground. With that control set by the Tigers’ defense, LSU’s pass-heavy offense should be able to navigate smoothly, as the Razorbacks’ defense has difficulties getting to the quarterback at times. 

Prediction: LSU 36-26 Arkansas

Tre Allen, Senior Sports Reporter | @treday0314

There is never an easy game when playing in the SEC, especially this season. LSU will be traveling to Fayetteville to take on the 4-2 Razorbacks after coming off an exciting win over the Ole Miss Rebels. 

Arkansas has already slayed a giant this year by taking down Tennessee who was ranked No. 4 at the time. 

The Tigers will have their hands full with multiple weapons on the Arkansas offense such as Andrew Armstrong and Ja’Quinden Jackson. However, the inconsistent struggles for the Razorbacks on both sides of the ball have been their kryptonite. 

LSU played its best defense last week against one of the best offenses in the country, creating pressure and taking the ball away. LSU can’t come out of this game slow. If LSU can clean up the empty drives and not turn the ball over, then the Tigers should come out on top.

Prediction: LSU 33-24 Arkansas 

Martin Sullivan, Sports Reporter | @marty_sulli

LSU was in a huge momentum swing the last time they played in Fayetteville, coming off the 2022 upset over Alabama. Arkansas scored first and LSU turned it over twice early. The Tigers won by a field goal.

After upsetting the Volunteers, playing at home and with a bye week to prepare, this is a dangerous matchup. LSU cannot afford the offensive woes that showed up last week, nor can they allow the defense to regress.

There’s reason for confidence in the trenches, but the Razorbacks are likely to outperform LSU on the ground. They also have a secondary with playmaking ability.

Offensively, LSU must take advantage of time in the pocket and minimize risky plays. Getting some consistency in the run game would help tremendously.

Because Taylen Green is so dynamic, the Tigers need to be able to bring the heat all game long. This means effectively layering the pass rush to eliminate lanes of escape and little time to throw. Consistent pressure and continued elite play from Whit Weeks and Zy Alexander should be enough.

If this is approached as a game of its own and not an afterparty from last week, LSU will be victorious.

Prediction: LSU 27-21 Arkansas

Brett Kemper, Sports Reporter | @kemper_brett

Just as the Tigers had an extremely timely bye week to prepare for Ole Miss, the Razorbacks are coming off theirs as the Tigers prepare to head to Fayetteville on Saturday.

While LSU undoubtedly had an emotional win, and should by no means head into Reynolds Stadium with any level of comfort, it seems Blake Baker and the defensive staff have performed the miracle I said they needed to pull off a win against Ole Miss.

If the Tigers are able to use their offensive weapons in tight end Mason Taylor, running back Caden Durham, and wide receiver Kyren Lacy in a run-pass balanced offense this week, there should be no trouble putting points on the scoreboard.

The defense, on the other hand, needs to prepare for a dynamic playmaker in Arkansas QB Taylen Green. If you remember South Carolina’s QB LaNorris Sellers, expect to see a similar play style from Green.

The Tigers will have to load the box and prepare for QB draws and scrambles. Doing so will help prevent big chunk plays but add pressure to an LSU secondary that is still inconsistent.

If LSU can mitigate self-inflicted wounds, win the turnover battle and have a legitimately focused effort in all phases, LSU can pull off a huge road win.

Prediction: LSU 28-21 Arkansas

Isabelle Callahan, Sports Reporter | @isabellecal17

This tug-a-war game will certainly be one to watch, with both teams coming from major upset games. LSU beat the No. 8 Ole Miss Rebels last week in overtime, and the Arkansas Razorbacks took out No. 4 Tennessee. How will both teams handle that coming into this game on Saturday in Fayetteville? 

Coming into the game, the LSU offense will have to reach its full potential, as the Razorbacks have a big upfront defense, specifically Landon Jackson, a former LSU Tiger who plays with nothing but energy. He has 22 tackles and 15 solo tackles, so the offense will need to watch out. 

The Razorbacks’ defense has given up some big passing performances, but they are hard to get past with run plays, allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game in the SEC. Against Tennessee, Arkansas only allowed 158 passing yards. 

This really could go either way, but if Nussmeier continues to ignore running the ball when given an opportunity and launch shots downfield, it will be a long night for the Tiger offense with this strong defense the Hogs have built. 

If LSU can play like they did last week at home and not take Arkansas as an easy win, the Tigers have a real shot at walking away with a win. This will be good going into the A&M game next Saturday, so I think that LSU will be able to walk away with the win. 

Prediction: LSU 26-20 Arkansas