LSU vs. Texas A&M: Five players to watch in massive SEC game

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LSU football welcomes Texas A&M to Tiger Stadium on Saturday. It's essentially a must-win for LSU as Lane Kiffin and Co. look to bounce back after dropping a Week 3 game to Ole Miss.

Texas A&M has gotten the best of LSU in recent years. In 2024 and 2025, A&M pulled away from LSU with dominant second-half performances. LSU's loss to Texas A&M last year was the nail in the coffin for former LSU head coach Brian Kelly. Texas A&M beat LSU 49-25 in Baton Rouge, despite LSU leading at the half.

LSU hopes for a better result on Saturday. LSU is 2-1, but a loss would all but kill the Tigers' playoff chances. But a win gives LSU margin for error the rest of the way.

Here are six players that will define LSU vs. Texas A&M in Week 4.

LSU QB Sam Leavitt

Leavitt completed just 16 passes for 158 yards vs. Ole Miss. LSU's passing game struggled to find rhythm, and Leavitt looked more interested in taking off and running rather than passing the ball. LSU's lack of protection didn't help, either.

With no Trey'Dez Green to kick-start the passing game, even more pressure is on Leavitt to make some clutch throws. There's no doubting Leavitt's arm talent, and he's athletic enough to run around and make plays, too. But Leavitt hasn't sat in the pocket and delivered many on-time throws this year.

LSU will likely put an emphasis on creating easy throws for Leavitt on Saturday. If Leavitt can settle in and get comfortable in this offense, LSU should score enough to win.

Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed

Plenty of questions remain about Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed, too. Reed struggled vs. Kentucky, barely completing more than 50% of his passes and averaging only 4.8 yards per attempt. If A&M is going to upset LSU, Reed needs to play much better.

Reed was kryptonite vs. LSU in 2024 and 2025. LSU didn't have much of an answer for anything Reed did as the Aggies moved the ball at will against LSU's defense. If the Reed that usually shows up vs. LSU shows up, then LSU is in for a long night.

However, that version of Marcel Reed would be a far departure from what we've seen from him this year. Even in A&M's win vs. Arizona State, Reed only threw for 163 yards and averaged 6.5 yards per attempt.

This is probably the best LSU defense Reed has faced. I expect LSU DC Blake Baker to call an aggressive game and put pressure on Reed early.

LSU linebacker Whit Weeks

Athletic linebackers can help slow a mobile quarterback. LSU didn't have Weeks vs. Texas A&M last year and he was missed as Reed ran through the LSU defense. Now, Weeks is healthy and playing at an elite level. Whether Baker wants to use Weeks as a spy or as a blitzer, the senior linebacker will be critical to limiting Reed as a rusher.

Texas A&M CB Julio Humphery

Texas A&M CB Julio Humphery has been one of the best corners in the SEC thus far. The talented Georgia transfer owns an 80.6 PFF grade, ranking top 30 among cornerbacks nationally. If this continues, Humphery will emerge as a legitimate NFL draft prospect. He's already notched an interception and two pass breakups this year. LSU WRs will be challenged on the outside.

LSU WR Winston Watkins

With LSU tight end Trey'Dez Green out, those targets have to spread around somewhere. Winston Watkins is a strong candidate to emerge as LSU's go-to guy. He knows the Kiffin offense after playing at Ole Miss in 2025 and has been a reliable slot receiver this far. When LSU needs to move the chains, expect Watkins to be involved.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU vs. Texas A&M: Five players to watch in massive SEC game

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