Arkansas @ LSU preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 23, 2012 ) Louisiana State 20, Arkansas 13

No. 15 LSU is hoping to stay hot after its biggest win of the season when it hosts Arkansas on Friday afternoon in the Battle for the Golden Boot. The Tigers are coming off a 34-10 drubbing of Texas A&M last week in which its much maligned defense held the Aggies and Johnny Manziel to a 299 yards and 10 points, both lows in two years under Kevin Sumlin. LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who has been inconsistent over the past few weeks, didn’t have to do much as the Tigers gashed the Aggies for 324 rushing yards.

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema is trying to avoid becoming the first coach in school history to suffer a nine-game losing streak. The Razorbacks have struggled to score, averaging just 20.1 points per game (110th nationally) and to move the ball through the air at 145.8 yards per game (115th nationally). Unless Arkansas’ running game can carry them, the Razorbacks are staring at a third straight loss in the series.

TV: 2:30 p.m., CBS. LINE: LSU -24.5

ABOUT ARKANSAS (3-8, 0-7): One bright spot for the Razorbacks in this rough season has been the pass rush. Arkansas’ 25 sacks are good for third in the SEC, and Chris Smith ranks second in the conference with 8.5 sacks. Pressuring Mettenberger into potential turnover situations might be the only chance Arkansas has against the Tigers.

ABOUT LSU (8-3, 4-3): At 2,926 yards for the season,Mettenberger will become the third quarterback in school history to throw from 3,000 yards, barring an injury, but much of that success came early in the season. In LSU’s last five games, Mettenberger has seven touchdowns against five interceptions after racking up a 15-to-3 ratio in the Tigers’ first six contests. With one of the nation’s top receiving corps in Jarvis Landry (67 catches, 1,059 yards) and Odell Beckham Jr. (56 catches 1,101 yards), the game against Arkansas could provide Mettenberger a chance to regain his early-season form.

EXTRA POINTS

1. LSU leads the nation in third-down percentage at 58.6 percent.

2. Arkansas is looking to avoid its first winless season in conference play since joining the SEC.

3. The Golden Boot is a 24-karat gold trophy molded into the shape of the states of Louisiana and Arkansas.

PREDICTION: LSU 49, Arkansas 13