LSU vs. Arkansas game preview, prediction

What to expect as LSU and Arkansas meet in this SEC West clash as the Week 4 college football schedule kicks off, with our updated game prediction

This weekend brings us an SEC West clash live from Death Valley under the lights in a battle of 2-1 division rivals as unranked Arkansas takes it on the road against No. 12 ranked LSU in college football's Week 4 action on Saturday.

Rankings: AP | Coaches | ESPN

What can you expect in the matchup? Here's what you should watch for as LSU and Arkansas square off along with our Week 4 game predictions.

LSU vs. Arkansas preview, prediction

LSU vs. Arkansas picks, predictions / USA Today Images

How to watch

When: Sat., Sept. 23
Time: 6 p.m. Central
TV: ESPN network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)

LSU vs. Arkansas game odds

Courtesy of SI Sportsbook

Line: LSU -17.5
Total: 54.5 points
Moneyline: LSU -1205 | Hogs +600
FPI pick: LSU 88.3% to win

What to watch for

LSU vs. Arkansas highlights Week 4 / USA Today Images

1. Dynamic QBs. Jayden Daniels was LSU's leading rusher a year ago and he is again through three games, coming off an uber-efficient 88% passing effort against MSU in which he threw for and ran for 2 touchdowns each, going over 400 yards combined in his second game of the year. KJ Jefferson has 80 yards rushing and a score but is doing more damage in the air, covering 8.2 yards per pass while hitting 71% of his throws with 6 TDs. Both are among the SEC's most gifted quarterbacks, polished passers in the pocket who can do extra damage if given room to run and are tough to bring down.

2. Hogs vs. LSU's secondary. The transfer-laden back seven is still something of a work in progress since the second-half problems against Florida State. Though it looked improved last week, much of that came as the front seven was able to generate consistent pressure and throw MSU's passing game out of rhythm. Andrew Armstrong is Arkansas' primary downfield threat, posting 11 yards per catch and he has 3 of the team's 7 receiving touchdowns. Jefferson will find some throwing lanes against LSU's second-level personnel if he has that extra second in the pocket.

3. Pressure. LSU stacks up well against the Razorback line with a strong and physical front seven unit, led by Harold Perkins, leaning more into a pass rushing role with plenty to show for it, leading the team in both sacks and tackles for loss. But watch the Hogs along the defensive line, too. They're terrific against the run, allowing just 1.5 yards per carry and are tops in the SEC surrendering 55.7 ypg on the ground. That's combined with an expert edge rushing combination that can create negative plays.

LSU vs. Arkansas prediction

Not having Raheim Sanders coming out of the backfield will cut into Arkansas' offensive production. Jefferson's mobility will keep things close at the outset against the Tiger secondary, but LSU has the bodies and the coverage to consistently shrink the area he has to work with and close down his escape routes.

That, combined with Daniels' two-dimensional threat, and the options he has to throw open — Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas post 15 ypc and have 6 combined TD catches — against an Arkansas pass defense that is allowing over 200 yards in the air, will allow LSU to make the chunk plays that will put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter.

College Football HQ picks...

• LSU wins 36-17
• Covers the spread
• And hits the under

More: LSU vs. Arkansas score prediction by CFB computer models

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