FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas entered the bye week coming off a 19-14 win over No. 5 Tennessee and now returns to the field against No. 8 LSU.

Arkansas (4-2, 2-1) and LSU (5-1, 2-0) will battle for The Golden Boot something LSU has had since the 2022 win. Sam Pittman is 1-3 against LSU having won 16-13 in 2021. An oddity of sorts is all four games between Arkansas and LSU since Pittman became head coach have ended by a three-point margin. Could this be the fifth year in a row?

"I believe it’s going to be a close game," Pittman said. "They have a really good team, and so do we. I think it’ll come down to turnovers, or whatever. We’ve got to play a smart game. A physical game, because they’re very, very physical. We have high respect for them. I think it’ll be one helluva game to come watch."

Pittman knows LSU will present some challenges that recent teams haven't in that they have an experienced quarterback in Garrett Nussmeier. He has completed 160 of 249 passes for 1,989 yards, 18 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

"Well, along with they can protect him and they have really good wideouts and tight ends, it will affect what we try to do against him," Pittman said. "We have high respect, he’s a really good thrower. So, but, those other guys that you’re talking about, besides Marcel Reed — because he hadn’t had as much game time even this year, he didn’t start as a starter — we thought those other guys and we thought he was too because they all three are really good players. It’s probably still the same thing, you got to move the guy from where he wants to throw the ball from. You have to get in his face, you have to push the pocket. We just know that Nussmeier is older and with that, sometimes becomes wiser. So, I don’t know how much it’ll affect it though, to be honest with you."

Pittman is confident that Travis Williams will have a very good defensive plan in place for Nussmeier and LSU.

"Well, I think, again I think with T-Will, it’s his second year in this league specifically as the main play caller and at Arkansas," Pittman said. "I think it makes a difference. You know your opponents a little bit better. With the transfer portal you still don’t know them quite as good as you did in the old days. But I think that those guys have a better understanding of each other and a better understanding of who we have on our team because the plan has to work for what your personnel is. Just because someone else did it doesn’t mean it can work for us because of personnel. But I think T-Will and his group in there have done a really good job of understanding who we have, how we can put pressure.

"How we can stop our opponents and have done a really good job of not being afraid. Because even … like when you first come in you might be afraid to try something because it’s your first true spotlight. And I think we’ve had enough success now where he’s going, ‘OK, this is how we can win. This is what we can do.’ And I think he’s such more comfortable, especially since the success we’ve had of changing some things has worked. We’ll see what happens on Saturday though, but I think that has a lot to do with his confidence."

Pittman knows the team that defeated South Carolina and Ole Miss will present a lot of challenges for the Hogs.

"We're excited to play LSU here at night," Pittman said. "Another top ten program coming in here, and deservedly so. Very well coached. Offensively, Nussmeier is playing really, really well, throwing the ball a lot. And a lot of empty sets, more and more as weeks go by, throwing it more and more, and they should. They're really good at tackle where they can protect both tackles and really good at wide receiver and tight end as well. So, our defense has a work cut out for them because they're well-coached and playing extremely well. 

"Defensively, both of their defensive ends are a problem. (Bradyn) Swinson and (Sai'vion) Jones both are really good players. I like their linebacker group. As good as anybody that we played, starting with (Whit) Weeks and then (Greg) Penn and (Major) Burns, they're really good players. And then (Jardin) Gilbert's playing really good at safety, making a lot of tackles for them there. Defense is probably what you noticed a little bit more this year, the improvement that they've made over last year. And then their special teams are really good as well. They have a great punt returner and kickoff returner. So, they're in the top ten for a reason because they're well-coached and big and fast. So, we're excited about the challenge, but it certainly is a challenge.

With LSU coming in nationally ranked just like Tennessee was, Pittman talked about what he wants this week.

"I’m looking forward to the fans," Pittman said. "Our players, we’ll be ready. LSU will be ready. I’m looking forward to the drive in. All the tents up and the people and the excitement on their faces. A loud, loud, loud crowd and, you know, our fans can be a major problem for opponents when we give them excitement. So, we need to start fast. Get the crowd involved. They’ll be involved early. We need to start fast and it’s just, I said it last week, nobody really had anything on that gameday experience on us across the country. Now, I’m not saying that we were No. 1, but we were up there with all the programs in the country with atmosphere that last night, that last time when we played Tennessee, and I expect it to be that or even better on Saturday night."

While Pittman had praise for Nussmeier, he also delivered what Arkansas' fans hope was good news on his own quarterback Taylen Green, who was injured late against Tennessee. Green has completed 107 of 189 passes for 1,502 yards, 5 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He also is second on the team in rushing with 81 carries for 326 yards and 4 touchdowns.

"I have been encouraged about how he’s practiced," Pittman said Wednesday. "He’s still not full speed yet. We certainly think there’s a possibility that he can get there. We’ll have to wait and see there. Obviously, we have two more practices and a walk, but I have been encouraged about his progression this week."

LSU lost the season opener to USC 27-20 in Las Vegas, but have reeled off five wins in a row since then. One reason for the success LSU has had is Nussmeier has only been sacked twice compared to 13 times for Green.

"They’re good at tackle," Pittman said. "They’re really good at tackle. They’re good at him being able to step up because their guards and center, they’re big, their guard and their center. But he gets rid of the ball, gets rid of it fast. Knows where he’s on his reads. So that’s why to me. And he has a quick release. That’s probably why he’s had as few of sacks, along with I think their backs are good in protection, when they use them. Now a lot of times they’ll empty out. And I think that their edge, their tackles are extremely good players."

Brian Kelly said the team enjoyed its home win over Ole Miss, but said the celebration was brief with the Hogs up next.

"We got a chance, 24 hours, to enjoy the victory against Ole Miss," Kelly said. "But we’re playing a really good opponent, well coached, they play hard. They’re playing great defense. Offensively, you know, very diversified. It’s going to be a great challenge on the road in the SEC. Really our focus is on our preparation this week to get ready for a great rivalry. The last four games have been decided by three points or less, one way or the other. So we know what’s in store for us as we head up to Fayetteville."

Arkansas (4-2, 2-1) and LSU (5-1, 2-0) will kickoff at 6 p.m. Saturday night in Razorback Stadium on ESPN.