Arkansas vs. LSU: 10 Little-Known Facts About the Battle for the Golden Boot

The Battle for the Golden Boot has been one of the most competitive rivalries in college football since its inception in 1996. The Arkansas-LSU rivalry goes back a lot farther than that though. 

Last season, the Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 31-23 in Little Rock. This season, more is at stake than ever. With the teams ranked first and third respectively, this game could decide who plays in both the SEC and BCS National Championship games. 

Let's look at 10 little-known facts about the Battle for the Golden Boot. 

History

The two teams played 37 times from 1901 to 1966 with the first game being a 15-0 LSU victory. After 1936, the teams played just six times in the next 20 years, twice in bowl games before taking an even longer hiatus.

The rivalry wasn’t renewed until Arkansas joined the SEC in 1992. The game was subsequently named the Battle for the Golden Boot in 1996. It is traditionally played on the day after Thanksgiving. 

All-Time Record

LSU leads the series all-time, 34-20-2. Success in this series has been very streaky over the years.

LSU won seven out of nine games from 1912 to 1921. Arkansas responded by winning seven of the next eight games before LSU started the most dominant stretch of the rivalry.

LSU went 13 games without a loss in the series from 1930 to 1966. The two schools tied in 1947. Since Arkansas joined the SEC, the series has been very close, with LSU leading 11-8. 

Golden Boot

The Golden Boot is a four feet tall and close to 200-pound trophy awarded to the winner of the game. The trophy, which is made of 24 karat gold, resembles the states of Arkansas and Louisiana which together look like a boot. The two teams began playing for the Golden Boot in 1996. 

Ice Bowl

In 1947 the two teams played one of the ugliest, but most memorable Cotton Bowls of all-time. Icy weather conditions led to a game that wouldn’t be forgotten.

The Arkansas defense stopped the Y. A. Tittle-led LSU offense multiple times close to the end zone, keeping the Tigers scoreless. After the Razorbacks stopped the Tigers on the 1-yard line, a botched snap on a field goal proved to be the final play in a 0-0 tie. 

Point Totals

The lowest scoring game in series history was, of course, the "Ice Bowl." That game ended in a 0-0 tie. The highest scoring game is one of the most memorable games in recent college football history.

In 2007 the teams combined to score 98 points in a 50-48 triple-overtime Arkansas win over top-ranked LSU. Despite the loss, LSU reached the BCS National Championship Game where it defeated Ohio State to win it all. 

Off Campus Venues

One of the most interesting facts about this rivalry is that very few games have been played on campus. The first few games of the series were played in Baton Rouge. For most of the series history though, Arkansas has played in Little Rock, while LSU has played in Shreveport.

From 1908 until 1992, the two teams never played on campus. 1992 was the only time Arkansas has played LSU in Fayetteville.

Arkansas currently hosts LSU in Little Rock while the Tigers have begun playing their home games in Baton Rouge. Still, just 13 of 56 games have been played on campus. 

SEC Championship Game

Seven times since the SEC went to divisional format, either LSU or Arkansas has represented the Western Division in the SEC Championship Game. LSU has gone four times and Arkansas has gone on three occasions.

That might lead you to think that this game is often for the SEC West title. Actually though, it was the loser of the game who won the West during three of the seven seasons. 

National Championship Implications

Over the years, this game has proved important in the race for the national championship. In the 1966 Cotton Bowl, a second-ranked Arkansas team lost 14-7 to LSU. This loss cost Arkansas their second national championship since No. 1 Michigan St. lost its Rose Bowl matchup against UCLA.

In 2007 LSU’s loss to Arkansas seemed to end the Tigers hopes of winning a championship. After some other improbable late-season losses though, LSU found its way into the BCS National Championship Game, becoming the first two-loss team to win it all.

With both teams ranked in the top three, this year’s game should have an equally important outcome. 

Recent Arkansas Success

Despite the success of the LSU program in recent years, it's the Razorbacks who have won more recently. Arkansas has won three of the last four games, including an upset of No. 1 LSU in 2007. Last season Arkansas prevailed 31-23.   

Close Games

In recent history, this matchup has been one of the most closely played in all of college football. The last six games have been decided by a combined 21 points.

Over that stretch each team is 3-3. Of those games, four have been decided by three points or less. Will Friday's game be another classic?