Whether LSU fans like it or not, the Battle for the Boot is annually one of the most tightly contested rivalries on the entire Tiger schedule, and the 2024 version has the potential to continue this trend in a major way. Ahead of this week’s LSU football vs. Arkansas matchup, LSU Glory met up with Austin Farmer of Razorbackers to get an inside look at what the purple and gold can expect in Fayetteville, AR, Saturday evening.
Q & A with Austin Farmer of Razorbackers
Offensive and defensive weapons galore
As of earlier this week, it appears that Arkansas starting quarterback Taylen Green is trending in a positive direction for being able to see the field on Saturday. In the off-chance that he still isn’t available, who’s the most likely to step in, and what can Tiger fans expect from the replacement?
Arkansas’s backup quarterback is Malachi Singleton. He’s a redshirt freshman, so he has very little experience under center. However, his throwing mechanics are actually better than Taylen Green’s. It might take him a drive or two to get comfortable, but Singleton could be more efficient through the air. He’s also a runner, so even if Green is out, LSU will still have to deal with a dual-threat QB.
What you won’t see are the big, explosive plays that Green brings to the table. Singleton hasn’t shown he can be as elusive as Green, and that’s where a significant portion of the offense comes from. When plays break down, that’s where Green is at his best. I don’t have the same confidence with Singleton.
Who are the top defenders that LSU fans should be aware of heading into Saturday?
The first name is one that LSU fans should know. Landon Jackson is the best edge rusher Arkansas has. He’s been quiet most of the season but exploded against Texas A&M. He might not have had a great night statistically against Tennessee, but he made Nico Iamaleava’s life miserable against the Vols.
Most in the media thought that linebacker would be a weakness of Arkansas’s defense, with players like Chris “Pooh” Paul joining Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss. However, Sam Pittman and defensive Coordinator Travis Williams went to work in the transfer portal and pulled in Xavian Sorey Jr. from Georgia. Sorey is a former 5-Star prospect who was a starter near the end of the season for the Bulldogs. He leads the team in tackles and can play in coverage as well as blitz, which is important for William’s defensive scheme.
In the secondary is TJ Metcalf, the cousin of NFL receiver DK Metcalf. He’s the second-leading tackler with 35, but he almost single-handedly beat Auburn. He had a hand in all but one of Arkansas’s five turnovers that game, with two picks, a forced fumble, and a tip that led to another pick.
Who are the top offensive weapons that Tiger fans should be aware of, outside of Taylen Green?
Arkansas has one of the most underrated receivers in college football. But they’re led by one of the most reliable pass-catchers in the game. Andrew Armstrong is the third-leading receiver in the SEC, behind only Tre Harris and Ryan Williams. But more impressively, he’s had one less opportunity than those two after missing the first game of the season against UABP. And let’s be honest, he would’ve torn them up. In his five games, Armstrong has recorded 132 yards or more in three of them.
The running backs are also great players. Ja’Quinden Jackson transferred in from Utah and has been the workhorse of the offense. When you talk about a complete back, you’d think of Jackson. Speed, toughness, agility, catching ability, he’s got it all. There’s also true freshman Braylen Russel. He’s 253 pounds and runs faster than you’d think. He looked like a tank on the field and shined at the end of the Tennessee game.
Expectations for the week eight matchup of LSU football vs. Arkansas
At its best, Arkansas has shown the ability to beat elite teams such as Tennessee just two weeks ago. At its worst, they’ve struggled, and even fallen against middle ground teams such as Oklahoma State. What is the key, in your eyes, to the Razorbacks building consistency as SEC play continues?
There are two things: consistency on defense and finishing drives on offense. Defensively, Arkansas has numbers that match with Oklahoma, and the Sooners have widely been seen as an “elite defense.” They even have shared opponents, where the numbers look almost identical — those being Tennessee and Auburn. However, we’ve also seen them give up 27 points to UAB. If the defense plays as well as the past three games, it gives Arkansas a chance to compete with anyone in the country.
On offense, the biggest problem has been finishing drives. Whether it’s turning the ball over, not converting 4th downs, or missing field goals, the Hogs find every way possible to not score on drives. Between the 20s, Arkansas is one of the best offenses in the country. It could have easily gone up three scores on the Vols two weeks ago, but Arkansas can’t finish drives. Part of the problem is Taylen Green and his decision-making, but issues range from the coaching to the special teams.
Last time we saw Arkansas on the football field, they were coming off a big win over a top-10 ranked Tennessee team. In your opinion, what was the general vibe from the team coming away from that, and do you see it impacting their play in week eight?
This team believed it could compete against elite competition all season, but now they know it. It’s given them back the confidence that faded after a tough loss to Oklahoma State. Luckily, Arkansas’s BYE came at the perfect time. Not only have they had time to rest key players like Taylen Green, who suffered a bone bruise near the end of the Tennessee game, but they’ve also had time to process their victory.
Sometimes the BYE week provides much needed rest, while others slow down much needed momentum. In your experience watching Sam Pittman led football, which do you think we’ll see come Saturday?
Sam Pittman said that Arkansas is undefeated coming off a bye, so as far as slowing down, I don’t think they will. After a six-game stretch where only two were played in Fayetteville, they needed it. Ja’Quinden Jackson, tight end Luke Hasz, and many more have dealt with nagging injuries all season, and according to the SEC’s Student Availability report, most of them have used that time to heal up.
Finally, separating from play on the football field for a moment, what is your number one game day tradition that any traveling Tigers should keep an eye out for?
There are the obvious ones that everyone knows about, like the Hog call, but there’s some pregame stuff that’s fun to do, although nowhere close to the experience you’d receive in Baton Rouge. HogTown is a small festival-like event Arkansas does before every game. North of the stadium is a large parking lot that hosts food trucks, games, live bands, and other family-friendly activities. That’s also where the Hog Walk starts. If you want to get an up-close and personal look at the team before the game, you’ll want to be there.
The purple and gold will next take the football field in a little less than 24 hours in Fayetteville, AR, vs. the Arkansas Razorbacks. The matchup is set to take place in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium at 6:00 p.m. CST this Saturday, and will be available to watch live on ESPN and ESPN+.
Thank you for reading LSU Glory. For more LSU Glory content, covering all things LSU athletics, follow us on Twitter and Facebook. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at lsuglory.fr@gmail.com or direct message us on our Twitter account. It is thanks to your support that we can continue to grow into one of the fastest-growing and most influential LSU media outlets there is.
