Texas A&M @ Louisiana State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 27, 2014 ) Louisiana State 23, Texas A&M 17

LSU tries to snap its first three-game losing streak since 1999 when it hosts Texas A&M on Saturday, but the bigger story will likely be what happens after the final whistle. It appears the Les Miles era in Baton Rouge is coming to an end after 11 years produced one national championship and two SEC titles as boosters have reportedly already agreed to pay the $15-20 million needed to buy out Miles ($15 million) and his staff.

The Tigers were 7-0 and in position to reach the College Football Playoff before a 30-16 loss at Alabama on Nov. 7 sent them on a downward spiral with setbacks to Arkansas 31-14 and at Ole Miss 38-17 to follow. "I'm not going to look to defend or make a case," Miles, who has averaged 10 wins per season at LSU, told reporters. "I love the place. ... I'm fortunate to be the head coach here, I've always felt that way. I love the players I've recruited ... I want to do my job." Part of the Tigers' demise is the play of sophomore running back and early season Heisman Trophy hopeful Leonard Fournette, who rushed for 73.3 yards per game and scored two touchdowns during the slide after averaging 193.1 and scoring 15 TDs over his first seven contests. The Aggies have won two straight and three of their last four games after last week's 25-0 victory over Vanderbilt - their first shutout since a 31-0 decision over Wyoming in 2004.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: LSU -5.5

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (8-3, 4-3 SEC): Freshman Christian Kirk (13.0 yards per 67 receptions, six touchdowns) needs 129 yards to become the second freshman in school history to reach 1,000 yards (Mike Evans 1,105 in 2012). Senior running back Tra Carson (six TDs) needs 10 yards for 1,000 as they try to become the first duo in Aggies' annals to reach the milestone in receiving and rushing in the same season. Sophomore defensive end Myles Garrett leads the SEC and is tied for fifth in the nation with 10.5 sacks while junior defensive end Daeshon Hall has seven sacks as part of the SEC's top tandem at getting to the quarterback.

ABOUT LSU (7-3, 4-3): Fournette, who leads the nation with 1,582 rushing yards, isn't the only offensive player struggling for the Tigers as quarterback Brandon Harris has thrown all four of his interceptions this season in the last three games - a stretch which has put LSU's streak of 15 consecutive eight-win seasons in jeopardy. The defense shoulders some of the blame as well by allowing 30 points in three consecutive games for the first time since 2009. Senior Deion Jones has recorded team bests of 81 tackles and 10 tackles for loss to go along with 3.5 sacks, and is one of five finalists for the Butkus Award which is given to the nation's top linebacker.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Fournette needs three touchdowns to break the single-season school record of 19 set by LaBrandon Toefield in 2001.

2. Miles, whose .775 winning percentage (110-32) is the best in school history, is trying to avoid losing two straight games at Tiger Stadium for the first time.

3. LSU leads the series 30-20-3 and has four won straight meetings, including all three since Texas A&M joined the SEC in 2012.

PREDICTION: LSU 31, Texas A&M 23