LSU football: Game-by-game predictions for 2020 season
Oct. 17. Fayetville (Ark.). 844. Scouting Report. Arkansas Razorbacks. 7. player. Pick Analysis
This rivalry used to be played the day after Thanksgiving, but the game has moved around in recent years. LSU will be coming off of a big win versus Florida and will be hoping to avoid a letdown against the Razorbacks.
Arkansas had been a disaster in recent seasons under former coach Chad Morris and have now turned to former Arkansas assistant Sam Pittman to lead the program.
The Razorbacks will have a new starting quarterback in Florida transfer Felipe Franks and a new offensive coordinator in Kendal Briles. Those moves could benefit the offense as will the return of star Rakeem Boyd, who is one of the best running backs in the SEC.
Arkansas might be better this year but the record won’t reflect it.
Final Score: LSU 35, Arkansas 14 (6-1, 3-0)
8. 893. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Oct. 24. Baton Rouge (La.). Mississippi State Bulldogs. player
In the Tigers’ last game before the big showdown with Alabama, they will welcome Mississippi State and new head coach Mike Leach to Death Valley. The Bulldogs had underachieved the past couple of seasons and wasted some elite defensive talent by being an inconsistent offense and for that, former head coach Joe Moorhead was let go.
Leach is one of the smartest offensive minds in the country and Mississippi State is hoping he can return them to the winning ways they found under former coach Dan Mullen.
The Bulldogs are turning to Stanford transfer KJ Costello at quarterback and he should fit in well in Leach’s air-raid offense. The Bulldogs have one of the best running backs in the league in Kylin Hill, but one has to wonder how many carries he may receive, as Leach is not known for running the ball much at all.
The Bulldogs will be a tough out for teams this year, but LSU finds a way to win at home.
Final Score: LSU 38, Mississippi State 21 (7-1, 4-0)