LSU Tigers vs. Texas A&M Aggies Complete Game Preview

Turkey with a side of LSU football is a combination Tiger fans will love. 

LSU will play Texas A&M on Thanksgiving Day in a clash between two 7-4 teams from the SEC West. The Tigers should be fresh coming off a bye after suffering a miserable 17-0 beatdown from Arkansas. 

The Aggies also had a bye to recover after a loss. Texas A&M was edged out at home by Missouri 34-27 a week after upsetting Auburn 41-38. 

Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin has had more issues with LSU than any other team he has faced during his time in College Station. Sumlin is 0-2 against the Tigers, as his offense has struggled to move the football versus defensive coordinator John Chavis. 

Thursday will be the first time the Tigers have played on Thanksgiving Day since 1973, per LSU Sports Information. 

What You Need to Know

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Place: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas

TV: ESPN

Radio: LSU Sports Radio Network, Texas A&M Sports Network

Spread: LSU (-2), via OddsShark.com 

LSU Keys to Victory

USA TODAY Sports

LSU running back Darrel Williams (No. 34) runs through an Arkansas tackler.

Run the Football

LSU's rushing attack only accumulated 36 yards against Arkansas. The offensive line was whipped at the line of scrimmage and the running backs went down with ease.   

There is no excuse for the Tigers to not have success on the ground against Texas A&M. The Aggies have allowed over 200 rushing yards per game on defense, which is 13th in the SEC.

Head coach Les Miles is going to pound the football early and often. The Tigers must have success to help out a passing offense that has failed to crack 100 yards in each of the last two games.

Be Motivated

The Tigers are no longer in contention for the College Football Playoff, nor will they win at least 10 games for the fifth straight year. This season will labeled as mediocre by LSU's standards.

LSU could pack it in and play lethargic football against the Aggies. Confidence should be concern for a team that was embarrassed by Arkansas.

Miles must have his team believing in themselves on Thursday.

Texas A&M Keys to Victory

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Texas A&M left tackle Cedric Ogbuehi (No. 70)

Give Allen Time

Texas A&M quarterback Kyle Allen has a vast skill set despite being a true freshman. Allen has combined for 514 passing yards and seven touchdowns in his past two games. 

The Aggies must give Allen time to relax in the pocket. Wide receivers Speedy Noil, Malcome Kennedy and Josh Reynolds are good enough to get separation from the Tigers secondary, so holding off the LSU pass rush will be paramount. 

Prevent the Big Play

LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings might not be a polished passer, but he does throw a pretty deep ball. Jennings has superb chemistry with his top target Travin Dural, who leads the Tigers in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.  

Texas A&M must force Jennings to throw short to intermediate passes. The Aggies cannot allow him to complete any easy passes down the field which could give him some much-needed confidence.

LSU Players to Watch

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

LSU quarterback Brandon Harris

Brandon Harris

Jennings has been falling apart in recent weeks. He was replaced earlier this season by true freshman Brandon Harris, but Harris' struggles in his lone start against Auburn gave the job back to Jennings. 

Fans have been clamoring for Harris to get another opportunity. If Jennings plays like he has of late, Miles may have no choice but to insert the true freshman.

Jalen Mills

Sumlin is an offensive genius. His use of different formations mixed with his offense's fast pace can be a hassle for defenses.

The Tigers must play disciplined football defensively. LSU junior defensive back Jalen Mills, who has started every game in his college career, must make sure the secondary is aligned properly on every play.  

Mills is also the Tigers' best blitzer off the edge in the "Mustang" 3-2-6 defensive package. The Mustang has been a nuisance that Sumlin has yet to figure out.

Texas A&M Players to Watch

Speedy Noil

Noil disappointed LSU fans when he spurned the Tigers for Texas A&M at last year's Under Armour All-America Game. Noil, a 5-star prospect out of New Orleans, has made Aggie fans happy with 513 yards and four touchdowns. 

Noil has been quiet of late with just four catches for 52 yards in the last two games combined. His low numbers are partially due to the variety of weapons Allen has at his disposal. 

Miles understands the challenges Noil presents to defenses, per The Advocate's Ross Dellenger: 

"

Miles on A&M WR Speedy Noil: "Very talented receiver. Guy with the ball in his hands ... very special"

— Ross Dellenger (@DellengerAdv) November 24, 2014 "

Noil should be motivated to prove to Tiger fans what they are missing. Sumlin will look to get the ball in his hands. 

Deshazor Everett 

Texas A&M cornerback Deshazor Everett is one of the few bright spots on Texas A&M's porous defense. Everett is second on the team in tackles with 65 and is physical in man coverage. The DeRidder, Louisiana native also returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown against Auburn.

Everett will likely be tasked with defending LSU's best receiver, Travin Dural. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron might instruct his quarterbacks to stay away from him. Either way, expect No. 29 to be involved.

What They Are Saying

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin (left) and LSU head coach Les Miles (right)

LSU

Miles said at his weekly press conference that left guard Vadal Alexander will be back after missing the Arkansas game with injury, but center Elliott Porter will be out, per Tiger Rag's Robert Stewart:

"

Les: Expect Vadal Alexander to play this weekend. Ethan Pocic will be at center (Elliott Porter will be out). Washington at RG.

— Robert Stewart (@TigerRagRobert) November 24, 2014"

Miles said he has seen progress in Harris and Jennings, per Dellenger:

"

Miles: "I like my quarterbacks. They're getting better. Working hard at it." #LSU

— Ross Dellenger (@DellengerAdv) November 24, 2014"

Miles wants to evaluate Harris during this week of practice before determining if he will play against Texas A&M, per WAFB's Jacques Doucet:

"

"

#LSU Les Miles says Brandon Harris has improved. Wants to access week before speaking about his chance to play.

— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) November 24, 2014"

"

Texas A&M

Sumlin said to expect star true freshman defensive end Myles Garrett to be ready for LSU, per Gabe Bock of TexAgs.com:

"

Good news, Aggies ... Sumlin indicates that Myles Garrett will almost certainly be on the field Thanksgiving Night vs. LSU at Kyle Field.

— Gabe Bock (@GabeBock) November 20, 2014"

Sumlin understands the importance this game has in recruiting, per TexAgs.com:

"

Sumlin: [LSU] is after a couple of our top [recruits] ... and [vice-versa]. One game matters to some. Atmosphere and [winning] is key.

— TexAgs (@TexAgs) November 20, 2014 "

Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mark Snyder is hesitant to call LSU and Texas A&M a rivalry, per The Battalion's Patrick Crank:

"

I think if you want to call a game a rivalry, you better beat them first. This group right here has yet to beat LSU. If you want to make it a rivalry game, you’ve got to go beat them — if it even is a rivalry game. We’re relatively new in this league. I do know this, if you do want to make it a rivalry game, you’ve got to win the game to make it a rivalry, or it’s not a rivalry.

"

Prediction

Texas A&M matches up nicely for LSU. The Tigers have a massive advantage up front offensively and should be able to run the ball with ease. Defensively, the Tigers have the athleticism to keep up with the Aggies' pace. 

But the intangibles are what should concern LSU fans. 

There is no telling where the Tigers are mentally. Expectations have not been met and the team is declining instead of progressing. Another lethargic effort like the one against Arkansas could be in the cards. 

Texas A&M will be fired up for this game. The Thanksgiving tradition in Kyle Field means everything to Aggie fans, though the opponent is now LSU instead of Texas.

Special teams always play a key role in closely contested games. LSU and Texas A&M have phenomenal punters in Jamie Keehn and Drew Kaser. Colby Delahoussaye and Josh Lambo are fantastic field-goal kickers as well, but the Tigers watched Delahoussaye miss two makeable kicks against Arkansas.

With all of that taken into consideration, the slight edge goes to LSU. Chavis has had Sumlin's number the past two seasons and Allen will also be facing the best secondary he has seen all season. But the Tigers' ability to run the football will ultimately be the difference. 

Score: LSU 24, Texas A&M 21

Stats, rankings and additional information provided by cfbstats.com, ESPN.com and LSU Sports Information. Recruiting information provided by 247Sports.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow me on Twitter @CarterthePower.