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The No. 24 LSU Tigers (6-3, 4-2) defeated the No. 25 Arkansas Razorbacks (6-4, 2-4), 38-10, in the Battle for the Golden Boot on Saturday night in Fayetteville.
After last week’s 10-0 loss to Alabama, LSU’s running game got back on track in a big way against the ‘Hogs, rushing for 390 yards and five touchdowns. Leonard Fournette was good, rushing for 98 yards on 17 carries and three touchdowns, but it was Derrius Guice that stole the show for the Tigers. Guice carried the ball 21 times for 252 yards and two scores, averaging 12 yards per attempt, including a 96-yard scoring run.
For Arkansas, it was another humbling conference which has derailed a once-promising season.
Can anyone, besides Alabama, slow down LSU’s running game?
Considering how pedestrian Danny Etling is under center, it’s amazing how much production LSU gets from Fournette and Guice. Opponents know LSU is going to run—and run often—and they still can’t slow down the Tigers. As good as Fournette is, and he’s probably the most talented running back in the country, Guice is pretty good, too. Imagine if the Tigers could get anything from its passing game? They’d be a top-five team.
Arkansas should never be ranked again
Ok, perhaps that is an overstatement, but in two games against Auburn and LSU this season, the Razorbacks have lost by a combined 81 points. In those two games, the ‘Hogs have allowed 933 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. That’s two games, folks. It sounds like we were all fooled by Arkansas in 2016. Alabama doesn’t give up those numbers in an entire season.
It was another strong performance for the LSU defense
Interim coach Ed Orgeron continues to build momentum for the permanent head-coaching gig. A big reason for that is LSU’s stingy defense. The Tigers allowed just 25 yards on the ground and Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen was harassed all night. The Razorbacks managed just 190 yards passing and turned the ball over twice. LSU should shut down Florida’s offense next week, but will be tested in the regular-season finale at Texas A&M in two weeks.