Texas A&M's path to a Florida bowl likely depends on winning in Baton Rouge

A trip to Florida for Texas A&M quite literally and figuratively goes through Baton Rouge.

The No. 15 Aggies (8-3, 4-3) travel I-10 East on Saturday with intentions of securing another trip a few hours farther in that direction.

A&M will also be looking for its first road victory over LSU (5-6, 2-5) since 1994. The Aggies and Tigers clash at 6 p.m.

Most projections have the Aggies playing in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando or the Outback Bowl in Tampa. However, those projections are based on A&M beating LSU.

“We had aspirations of being in the elite New Year’s Six bowls,” sophomore defensive Back Antonio Johnson said. “Whatever bowl we’re going to, we’re going to give a show, for sure.”

Truthfully, the Aggies probably would rather put on that show in a warm Florida climate. A loss could redirect A&M’s bowl plans.

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Saturday is likely Ed Orgeron’s last game as head coach of the Tigers.

It will also put a damper on what has been an up-and-down season.

“We’ve got to play really well,” A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said. “They play really well there. (It’s their) Last (home) game of the year. They’re going to play well.

“Hopefully, we’ll go over and play well. We need to continue to play well, keep achieving. A lot of things we’ve got to play for as far as finishing this season out and having a great year.”

Playing well for A&M translates to putting consistent pressure on LSU quarterback Max Johnson and containing running back Tyrion Davis-Price.

LSU, which likely will be playing its final game under lame-duck coach Ed Orgeron, has scored just 21 points or less in five of its last six SEC games. Meanwhile, A&M’s defense has allowed no more than 20 points in the last five games.

However, A&M also has scoring issues.

Quarterback Zach Calzada has struggled in games away from Kyle Field. He has thrown just three touchdown passes and four interceptions on the road. Further, the Aggies receivers have shown an alarming tendency to drop passes of late.

Therefore, the Aggies figure to rely heavily on their running game. A&M needs productive performances from running backs Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane, who are both approaching the 1,000-yard mark.

But that won’t come easy against LSU.

Despite the Tigers’ modest record, their defense is sound. LSU has allowed fewer than 150 rushing yards in four of the last five games. Alabama managed only six rushing yards in a 20-14 victory over LSU.

“Playing in the SEC, they’ve shown all year on any given day any team can win,” Antonio Johnson said. “You’ve just got to come in with that faceless mentality. When you play in the SEC, you have to give that (opponent) your best. We know they’re going to be hyped up.”

The Aggies have reasons to hyped up, too. They can end a losing streak in Baton Rouge. They can stay on track for a 10-win season. And they can likely be assured of a winter trip to Florida.