ESPN Predicts Winner of Arkansas, LSU for Battle of Golden Boot

Razorback Stadium receives plenty of credit from Football Power Index analytics ahead of rivalry game between Hogs, Tigers

LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) calls for the ball against the Ole Miss Rebels during the first half at Tiger Stadium. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two weeks after a home upset of then No. 4 Tennessee behind an impressive defensive effort, Arkansas will look to slow down an LSU offense which ranks among the leagues best in productivity.

The Tigers average over 34 points which is good for sixth 6 in the SEC and generates 460 yards per game which is No. 5 in conference. LSU just got some momentum by somehow managing a 29-26 overtime win against the Rebels that kept them from being another two-loss team.

Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Xavian Sorey celebrates after a play in a loss to Oklahoma State. / Craven Whitlow-Hogs on SI Images

LSU is given a 54% chance to defeat Arkansas inside Razorback Stadium one day after all but ending Ole Miss' College Football Playoff hopes.

Here's an ESPN Analytics breakdown between Arkansas and LSU from its Football Power Index table. Both programs have respectable offensive and defensive units but have struggled in the special teams department.

	Arkansas	LSU
ESPN FPI Ranking	No. 25	No. 14
Overall Efficiency	No. 29 (72.3)	No. 26 (74.8)
Offensive Efficiency	No. 35 (66.5)	No. 8 (82.7)
Defensive Efficiency	No. 24 (72.5)	No. 49 (60.5)
Special Teams Efficiency	No. 92 (43.2)	No. 120 (33.7)
Conference Champion %	0.3%	4.2%
Playoff %	2.4%	26.4%
National Champion Game %	0.1%	2.1%
Win Playoff %	0%	0.8%
Final Record Prediction	7-5	8-4

Arkansas has won three of its previous five games with both losses coming by one possession with leads in the fourth quarter. Coach Sam Pittman shared a belief in his team that if turnovers were prevented, his Razorbacks could beat any team in the country.

"The defense ended up keeping us into it and ended up winning it for us," Pittman told ESPN after the game. "Travis Williams and the [defensive staff] had them ready to play. They played hard the entire night and we didn't turn the ball over. If we are the same with turnovers, we can beat anybody in the country and we proved that tonight."

Arkansas Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman celebrating with fans on the field after a 19-14 win over the Tennessee Volunteers at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. / Michael Morrison-Hogs on SI Images

Last weeks zero in the turnover column helped preserve a home win that took quite a bit of heat off Pittman's seat. Winning not only a rivalry game but bringing the Golden Boot trophy home against LSU would do well from a recruiting standpoint and program trajectory.

Before the season, the Razorbacks ranked No. 44 overall but due to the strength of the conference and continued to climb even in a losses at Oklahoma State and Texas A&M in Arlington. If Arkansas can take care of business against LSU Saturday then conversations of the Hogs' program being back on track will pick up major steam.

HOGS FEED:

• Three storylines for Razorbacks ahead of LSU game

• Pittman's time to make important quarterback decision running short

• Arkansas can't afford another field storm, but here's who should pay if they do

• Former Razorback quarterback benched for true freshman

• Singleton up to task if Arkansas can do one basic thing

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