Arkansas vs. LSU: The 5 Key Turning Points from Friday's Big Game

On Saturday the biggest game of the week, maybe the year, took place when the Arkansas Razorbacks played the LSU Tigers.

This game would make an impact on the BCS Rankings and ultimately the National Championship game. When the dust settled, it was the Tigers who walked away with the convincing win.

Here are the five key turning points from the big game.

Arkansas Defensive Score

With the score at 7-0 in favor of the Razorbacks, LSU was looking to tie it up on the next drive. After getting two first downs the momentum looked like it was going to be with the home team Tigers. That all changed when Razorback Alonzo Highsmith scooped up a LSU fumble by running back Michael Ford and returned it 47 yards for a score.

The score was now 14-0 and the air was let out of Death Valley, as the fans went suddenly quiet.

LSU "Special" Teams

After a lengthy drive to make the score 14-7, the LSU Tigers defense stepped up near the end of the half. After a pooch kickoff attempt set up Arkansas at their own 44, the defense rose to the occasion and held the potent Hogs offense to a three-and-out.

Then the second key turning point in the game took place. The Hogs punted to Tyrann Mathieu and the “Honey Badger” returned the kick for 92 yards and after trailing by the biggest deficit at any time this year, this game was now tied.

This key play got the fans back into this game and the momentum securely on the side of the home team.

Tiger Momentum

LSU Fans did not have to wait long for the third key play of the game to happen.

On the very next possession the Razorbacks fumbled giving the ball back to LSU for one more drive before halftime.

With just over a minute left in the half, Jordan Jefferson hit wide receiver Russell Shepard for a nine yard touchdown. The touchdown capped off a scoring spree that saw the Tigers post three touchdowns in just over four minutes of play.

The Tigers went into the half with the lead and all of the momentum.

Jordan Seals the Game

In the fourth quarter with the score already 31-7 in favor of the Tigers, LSU put this game out of reach. Two plays after an interception by the aggressive Tigers defense, the offense responded with a big play.

On a quarterback keeper option, Jordan Jefferson kept the football and ran for 48 yards and a big score that was the final nail in the Razorbacks coffin. The Tigers out played the Razorbacks and were minutes away from an undefeated regular football season.

Controversial Kick?

With the game well in hand and the Tigers leading 38-17 with over five minutes in the game, Les Miles called out the field goal unit. The Tigers had just completed a clock-eating drive and although they were not going to lose the game, the Tigers elected to put three more points on the board.

Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino was not pleased. Cameras caught Petrino screaming expletives across the field at the Tigers sideline.

The battle for the Golden Boot has always been an interesting annual tradition, but after the way this game ended it can now be considered a rivalry.

James Brown is a B/R Featured Columnist and can be followed on Twitter. Feel free to contact James at [e-mail].