Top 5 matchups for Week 8 of the 2024 college football season
3. No. 8 LSU at Arkansas – Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
LSU and Arkansas are both coming off of dramatic victories as they compete in the 鈥淏attle for the Golden Boot.鈥� The Tigers and Razorbacks have played against one another 69 times dating back to 1901, a series LSU has controlled with 44 wins. The Tigers have also beaten Arkansas in seven of the last eight years with the past four matchups all decided by a field goal.
LSU is coming off another field-goal victory in a crucial 29-26 win over Ole Miss in Week 7. Brian Kelly鈥檚 5-1 squad also defeated South Carolina earlier this season by three points, with its lone loss coming in Week 1 to USC. The Tigers have played solid football since despite some close calls, particularly offensively with a top-25 unit in the country led by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier who has nearly 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns on the year. The Tigers also have several talented pass catchers led by Kyren Lacy while freshman Caden Durham has stepped up in the backfield.
LSU鈥檚 defense has been better recently, but Arkansas has the advantage on that side with the 34th-ranked unit in the country. Playing strong defense while taking advantage of some of LSU鈥檚 defensive struggles with a top-10 offense in the country could be the formula for success and was in the Razorbacks鈥� upset of No. 4 Tennessee. The Hogs have had close losses to Oklahoma State and Texas A&M but have otherwise been solid in Sam Pittman鈥檚 fifth year. If talented dual-threat quarterback Taylen Green can play on Saturday after getting injured late in the Tennessee game, Arkansas should have a chance to pull off another home upset.
