by www.LSUsports.net, LSU Sports Interactive
BATON ROUGE -- Arkansas may have clinched the Southeastern Conference's Western Division title last week, but that doesn't mean LSU goes into Friday's game against the No. 5 Razorbacks without anything to play for.
As a matter of fact, it’s just as the opposite as a win over the Razorbacks keeps the Tigers BCS bowl bid chances alive, while also keeping the coveted “Boot” on the LSU campus for another year.
LSU and Arkansas square off in what has become a day-after-Thanksgiving tradition on Friday at 1:30 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The game will be televised to a national audience on CBS with Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Tracy Wolfson handling the call.
“I think there are plenty of bowl opportunities out there for us,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “The key is taking care of Arkansas. At the end of this week when we play Arkansas, that will be for bragging rights and for the Boot. I can promise you that will be motivation enough for this team.”
LSU enters the contest riding a 5-game winning streak and with a 9-2 overall mark. The Razorbacks, winners of 10 consecutive games since a 50-14 loss to Southern Cal to open the year, is 10-1 overall.
LSU has won three straight over Arkansas, including a 19-17 victory last year in Tiger Stadium. LSU also beat the Hogs, 43-14, in Little Rock in 2004, which marks Arkansas’ only loss in War Memorial Stadium since the 1998 season.
This contest also marks LSU’s fourth game against a top 10 team on the road this year. LSU is believed to be the only team in NCAA history to have all of its road games in a season come against teams ranked in the top 10.
“It’s a challenge and it’s a part of the schedule that we have to play this year,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “We have accepted it and we aren’t going to shy away from it. We look forward to it and let’s see if we can get the second (win) of the four. To achieve, you have to win on the road.”
Friday’s contest will also pit strength versus strength as the Razorbacks will trot perhaps the nation’s most talented running back onto the field in Darren McFadden to go against an LSU defense that is ranked No. 1 nationally in yards allowed.
McFadden, who many consider to be battling LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell for SEC Player of the Year honors, has rushed for 1,300 yards and 12 TDs this year. He’s also passed for two scores, returned a kickoff for a TD and caught a pass for a touchdown.
“Darren McFadden is big, fast, and a terribly talented receiving threat as well as rushing threat,” Miles said. “He’s the kind of back that if he gets out in front then he can hit a home run.”
McFadden, along with his running back mate Felix Jones, will have to deal with an LSU defense that is allowing only 221 yards per game, including just 74.6 rushing yards per contest. LSU has yet to allow a player to gain 100 yards this season.
When the Hogs aren’t running the football they will turn to a pair of quarterbacks in Casey Dick and Mitch Mustain to lead them in the passing game.
“They have two quarterbacks - Casey Dick and Mitch Mustain - who both can throw it,” Miles said. “And, they use those guys at different times. They have a nice, big 6-4 receiver (Marcus Monk), who is really a target for them on a deep ball, but by in large they make their hay rushing the football.”
Offensively, the Tigers will continue to rely on the play of quarterback Russell, who ranks among the national leaders in every passing category. In 11 games this year, Russell has completed 197 of 286 passes for 2,587 yards and 24 touchdowns. His top targets have been a trio of receivers in Early Doucet, Craig Davis and Dwayne Bowe, who have combined to catch 154 passes for 2,208 yards and 21 scores.
The scoring tandem of Russell-to-Bowe moved to No. 1 on LSU’s all-time list last week as they have combined for 22 touchdowns during their career. Bowe also holds the school record for career TD receptions with 25 and he’s tied for first in school history in single-season TD receptions with 11.
When the Tigers go to the running game, junior Jacob Hester and true freshman Keiland Williams have had the hot hand for the Tigers as of late. Hester, who has accounted for nine touchdowns this year, leads the Tigers with 397 yards rushing, while Williams has 261 yards and a pair of scores.
Hester is also a receiving threat out of the backfield as he’s caught 31 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns. The 31 receptions are the most for an LSU running back since Eddie Fuller’s 38 catches in 1989.
"As you look at our team going into the final game of the regular season, we're playing for The Boot and we're playing to improve our bowl standings,” Miles said. “We're looking to enjoy a rivalry with the team that has accomplished and taken the SEC Western Division title.
“This is an important game for us. This is a very good football team that we are playing and we are playing them on the road. We have to play well to have a chance. It’s also an opportunity for us to show what type of team we have and just how good we are.”
