Our LSU beat team picks the winner of a game against Texas that coach Lane Kiffin’s Tigers can’t afford to lose. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Tiger Stadium.

Scott Rabalais

LSU 20, Texas 17

Two very similar teams. Tough defenses with great pass rushes. Offenses that are a danger to opponents and themselves. To win, LSU needs to force more turnovers from Arch Manning than Texas does from Sam Leavitt. And special teams must be more special. I’m looking at you, punt unit. In a grinder, LSU breaks a 17-17 tie with a Scott Starzyk field goal late and holds on for a critical win.

Jon Blau

Texas 27, LSU 24

There’s a chance LSU has a significant advantage in the trenches when Texas is on offense, because the Longhorns offensive line has been shaky, especially since Trevor Goosby went down at left tackle. But LSU just hasn’t found ways to win versus ranked opponents, especially offensively, and Texas is on a three-game winning streak after dropping some close games. The Longhorns get the benefit of the doubt.

Koki Riley

Texas 21, LSU 17

Both defenses hold the upper hand in this matchup. It’s hard to trust either offensive line, and both defensive fronts have been elite this season — Texas and LSU are two of the SEC’s four leading sack-getters. Winning in Tiger Stadium is no small task, but the Longhorns have proven they can beat top teams, while LSU still lacks a significant win. Texas, I think, also has a slight edge on both sides of the ball.

Reed Darcey

LSU 23, Texas 20

It’s striking how similar these two teams are. They both have erratic quarterbacks, dangerous pass rushers and shaky offensive lines. It feels like whichever offense makes fewer mistakes will be the one that comes out on top, so I’ll default to the one that has home-field advantage. LSU wins a close, low-scoring affair and preserves (for now) whatever is left of its College Football Playoff hopes.