A&M vs. LSU

Texas A&M last won a game with LSU in 1995 (the Aggies 5th straight, in fact - thanks, RC!) in what was the Tigers' only losing decade in its history (54-58-1 .482.) Now it's LSU who's going for its 5th straight win over the Aggies 20 years later, at Tiger Stadium, on a beautiful Saturday night, with the head coach's job apparently in trouble.

(You gotta beat Bama and get out of the wishbone, Les.)

LSU is favored by 5 1/2, a couple more points than the odds were against Johnny in 2013. That one finished 34-10, Tigers, but it was a blast for me personally just being back in Tiger Stadium (with some good ol' Sulphur buddies -- Go Tors, Geaux Tigers!) after almost 40 years.

I'll tell you what; it's a lot different in the stands than it is on the field. You can actually hear what's being said about you up there ("Break his damn neck!!") instead of the deafening, ear-drum-shattering, stays-with-you-for-days roar that you try to work past on the field.

The Ags, while currently on the losing end of 4 straight to LSU, are also 0-4 when on the road as a touchdown-or-less underdog in the SEC, losing these games by a total of 68 points.

LSU would still have a shot at winning 10 games this year had the McNeese game not been rained out at LSU. Ten wins are rather important these days.

Aggie QB Kyle Allen needs a win here, as A&M does, because, you know, it's Rivalry Week and you can't really say "Rivalry" with 5 straight KO's dragging down your program. 

So Kyle needs a signature win, and it doesn't get any more "signature" for a quarterback than winning in Death Valley. LSU has lost what, 5 home games in its last 50 or so? Kyle Field would absolutely kill for those numbers! Oh, and two of the five were against Bama. Not too shabby. I would tell Kyle that nothing can prepare you for that kind of environment; just execute. It truly is the definition of "Nation" that gathers there on Saturday nights.

And of course, Les Miles needs a win as well, particularly since lately, and historically, the Tigers have owned the Ags in Tiger Stadium (5 A&M wins since the JFK administration - and yes, I got mine, thank you). Lord, it don't come easy, not in there.

So, good luck to all my podnah's and brethren and cheerleaders (and yell leaders) on both sides of the ball! I hope it's a great night of SEC football!