<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2FZCT5_0wCFyi3c00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2FZCT5_0wCFyi3c00" width="1024" height="683" ><figcaption>Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (4) can’t pull in a pass in the end zone in the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. LSU won 34-31. ( AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)</figcaption></figure>The old adage that “the more you win, the bigger each game gets” is certainly proving to be true for Sam Pittman’s Arkansas Razorbacks.The Razorbacks’ 19-14 upset of Tennessee two weeks ago turned the trajectory of the Hogs’ season around at least for a fortnight.Last week’s open date gave Hogs fans some extra time to revel in that victory while also looking forward to this Saturday’s 6 p.m. showdown with the No. 8 LSU Tigers (5-1, 2-0) for the Golden Boot trophy, under the lights of Razorback Stadium for an ESPN broadcast.The Tigers are 2.5-point favorites in the contest that might or might not have playoff implications for Brian Kelly’s LSU program. LSU’s 29-26 overtime upset of then-ranked top-10 Ole Miss catapulted the Tigers into playoff talk with their lone loss being a 27-20 opening-weekend loss to Southern Cal.However, like every SEC team, the road to the playoffs is a hazardous one. After visiting Fayetteville this weekend, the Tigers play at No. 14 Texas A&amp;M and then play host to No. 7 Alabama before heading to Florida where the Gators seem to be getting their legs underneath them.Could the Tigers’ trip to Fayetteville set up as a trap game for them? Will LSU look over the Hogs (4-2, 2-1) in anticipation of what they perceive as bigger games?Despite the Razorbacks’ struggles the last two seasons, one could say the Hogs have been a play or two away from upsetting the Tigers’ tea cart.Could this be the year when the Hogs’ stage an upset?Maybe a better question would be, was the Razorbacks’ 19-14 upset of Tennessee a fluky anomaly or have the Hogs legitimately turned a corner?Razorbackers could argue that the Hogs are mere plays away from being undefeated themselves.The Razorbacks’ sloppy play against Oklahoma State and Texas A&amp;M denied them the chance to win close games. When the Razorbacks played relatively clean against Tennessee last week, they stunned the Vols and the nation.Can the Razorbacks play disciplined enough football in back-to-back games to pull off an upset of the Tigers?Pittman has said loud and proud that if the Hogs don’t turn the football over they can play with anyone. One hopes his Hogs are disciplined enough this week to put their coach’s words to the test.Based on the Tigers’ injury report, LSU will come to Fayetteville licking their wounds a bit after a physical showdown with Ole Miss. LSU lists 10 players on their injury report. After the open date, the Hogs had just two on their injury list — defensive back Jaylon Braxton is out and running back Rodney Hill being doubtful.Pittman said the key for the Hogs will be shutting down LSU’s running game, which has been a bit lacking this year. However, with a strong offensive front, a cannon-armed and agile quarterback in Garrett Nussmeier, and a talented receiving crew LSU should be known as the flying Tigers with their prolific passing attack.Nussmeier, who torched Ole Miss for three TD passes, including the game-winner in overtime to Kyren Lacy, leads the SEC and is ranked fourth in the nation in touchdown passes with 18. He will no doubt test the soundness of the Razorbacks’ secondary.The Razorbacks’ defensive formations on the back end have confused the young quarterbacks of Tennessee, Auburn, and Texas A&amp;M to a degree. It’s fair to ask if they will have the same effect on a veteran like Nussmeier, who is possibly playing himself into being a first-round NFL draft prospect.If the Razorbacks can get a lead over the Tigers, it will not be safe until the final buzzer. The victory over Ole Miss last week was Kelly’s eighth victory at LSU after trailing by double-figures in the first half. Kelly knows how to come out on top in close games.Kelly is 7-3 in games decided by a single score after 3 and a half years at LSU, including two close one over the Razorbacks that last two years, 13-10 at Fayetteville in 2022 and 34-31 at Baton Rouge last year.Now, Pittman and the Razorbacks did nip LSU and Kelly, 16-13, in overtime in 2021, so the expectation for another tight one in Razorback Stadium is on point.While Razorback starting quarterback Taylen Green has practiced this week after apparently hyperextending his knee thanks to a low, late hit by the Vols, Pittman has been a bit coy with exactly how healthy Green is.Green’s running and escapability is perhaps his greatest asset as a quarterback. If his mobility is limited, the Razorbacks might be better off going with a healthy Malachi Singleton.Singleton struggled a bit with his limited playing time prior to the Tennessee game, but he did not struggle at all in leading the Hogs to a touchdown drive with the game on the line.Saturday’s game stacks up to be another close one. Perhaps the Razorbacks’ biggest advantage will be the home crowd, which played a role in the win over the Vols.Tennessee had four pre-snap penalties in the loss to Arkansas. Pittman credited Hog fans in being key in the upset of the Vols, and he would like for them to be just as active if not more so when the Tigers visit.The UA is asking Hogs fans to wear red for a Red Out of the stadium. Recent history points to this being a very close game.Maybe Razorback fans will be the edge that lifts the Hogs over the top for another top-10 upset.<h2>This Saturday’s SEC Games:</h2>Auburn at No. 19 Missouri —11 s.m. ESPNSouth Carolina at Oklahoma — 11;45 P.M. SECNNo. 7 Alabama at No. 11 Tennessee — 2:30 p.m. ABCNo. 14 Texas A&amp;M at Mississippi State —3:15 p.m.No. 8 LSU at Arkansas — 6 p.m. ESPNBall State at Vanderbilt — 6 p.m. SEC+No. 5 Georgia at No. 1 Texas — 6:30 p.m. ABCKentucky at Florida — 6:45 p.m. SECN<h2>2024 Arkansas Razorbacks Football Schedule</h2>DateOpponentScoreTimeTVAug. 29Arkansas-Pine Bluff70-0 (W)6:30 p.m.ESPNUSept. 7at Oklahoma State31-39 2OT (L)11 a.m.ABCSept. 14Alabama-Birmingham37-27 (W)3:15 p.m.SECSept. 21at Auburn24-14 (W)2:30 p.m.ESPNSept. 28Texas A&amp;M at Arlington17-21 (L)2:30 p.m.ESPNOct. 519-14 (W)6:30 p.m.ABCOct. 19LSU 6 p.m.ESPNOct. 26at Mississippi State TBATBANov. 2Ole Miss TBATBANov. 16Texas 11 a.m.ABC or ESPNNov. 23Louisiana Tech TBASEC+Nov. 30at Missouri TBATBA</div></body>

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Close games have been the calling card for UA-LSU rivalry

The old adage that “the more you win, the bigger each game gets” is certainly proving to be true for Sam Pittman’s Arkansas Razorbacks. The Razorbacks’ 19-14 upset of Tennessee two weeks ago turned the trajectory of the Hogs’ season around at least for a fortnight.

Close games have been the calling card for UA-LSU rivalry

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