Texas A&M vs. LSU Week 13: Way-Too-Early Predictions

The AllAggies' crew gives you their predictions for Week 13's showdown in Baton Rouge to close out Texas A&M's season

There's nothing like rivalry week, even if the rival isn't one most fans call their "mortal foe." 

Since 2012, Texas A&M and LSU have met on the gridiron and given fans classics. Just look back in the last five years: the seven-overtime game, Max Johnson to Jaray Jenkins in the back corner of the end zone, De'Von Achane's swan song performance in the upset? 

The Aggies and Tigers are not that far apart talent-wise. Expectations, however, are different. LSU went 10-4 in Year 1 under Brian Kelly and is now looking to claim a spot in the College Football Playoff. Texas A&M, meanwhile, might be a dark horse to win the SEC West, but everything must come together on paper for Jimbo Fisher and new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. 

The two schools in the southeast region of the country must navigate their way through a murky SEC West schedule to be in line to head to Atlanta for the conference title. They also likely have to dethrone Alabama to keep their CFP hopes alive before kickoff in Baton Rouge. Still, a win for either side could guarantee a trip to a New Year's Six bowl game. 

At worst, at least it will provide bragging rights through the offseason. Here's our way-too-early staff predictions heading into the final game of A&M's regular season. 

Cole Thompson, Staff Writer

LSU could be top-to-bottom college football's best roster. The Tigers have arguably the best quarterback room in the country, a handful of quality receivers, a stout offensive line and a more seasoned defense that returns perhaps the best interior linemen in the country. They're dangerous under Kelly. Everyone knows it, too. 

Still, something about 2021's upset still lingers with the veterans who were on the sidelines. The Aggies haven't finished with nine regular season wins under Fisher since he arrived in 2018, and they were 20 seconds away from accomplishing that feat. Record aside, this game means something to those who decided to return for one final year with the program. 

A&M sends out the seniors on a high note with its first win in Baton Rouge since 1994. 

Texas A&M 28, LSU 20

Casey Smith, Staff Writer

Though the Aggies likely won't be in the College Football Playoff conversation by the end of the season, this is one of those games on Texas A&M's schedule where it can certainly throw a wrench in who is there. Conner Weigman played his most efficient game of the season against the Bayou Bengals, and he'll need to up the ante this season. The Aggies don't have the shoulders of De'Von Achane — who ran for 215 yards and two touchdowns against LSU in 2022 — to lean on. If he can do that, it'll be close. 

The Aggies will have their hands full at Tiger Stadium — a place that LSU has been 26-6 at in the last five years, with five losses coming against top-25 opponents. Texas A&M also has not won there since rejoining the Southeastern Conference, and it won't this year.

LSU 33, Texas A&M 24

Timm Hamm, Writer

The Aggies surprised everyone in the season finale and jumped all over the then-No. 5 Tigers at Kyle Field and won 38-23. A&M won't have the benefit of home-field this year, and the Tigers might be an even better team. Of course, the Aggies will be too, but while the Aggies should be on the outside looking in at the College Football Playoff, LSU will most likely be playing for an SEC title.

LSU 45, A&M 20

Matt Guzman, Staff Writer

The Aggies and the LSU Tigers have had some electric matchups against each other in years past, with the most recent coming at the end of an overall-disappointing season. The win at Kyle Field only ended up hurting LSU as opposed to helping the Aggies, though it did give Jimbo Fisher's squad some momentum to take into this season. 

By time Texas A&M hits the road to Baton Rouge in late November, both squads will have had their chances to figure things out and focus on getting to the CFP — but as luck would have it, the Aggies aren't so favorable at the end of the season. LSU has the talent and will use home-field to its advantage, which just might be too much to handle for the Aggies. 

LSU 35, Texas A&M 24

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