“It’s not about the record; it’s about sending a message.” The Joker would have said this if he were to watch this SEC fiesta. But Joel Klatt might have said something similar. After all, it’s a type of game where the stakes are higher than those of stock markets, well, at least for the Aggies and LSU Tigers. It’s never enough, is it? Even after drawing each other’s blood almost 60 times, tomorrow’s week 9 meeting will be their biggest. And why is that? After the No. 14 Texas A&M (6-1) and No. 7 LSU (6-1) step onto Kyle Field on Saturday night, one team will remain undefeated in the SEC and in control of its playoff destiny, while another will ruin their overall season and might have to voodoo their way through the rest of the season.

Talk about magic, Joel Klatt, host of The Joel Klatt Show, recently turned heads with a bold proclamation saying, “LSU is absolutely a playoff team.” Well, Klatt believes in the Tigers and Garrett Nussmeier religiously. He’s asserting that Nussmeier has what it takes to run the SEC gauntlet. The 2024 MVP of the ReliaQuest Bowl has hypnotized the CFB analyst and made him say, “Going on I trust Nussmeier more right now than Conner Weigman, he was a little shaky last week against Mississippi State and threw a couple of interceptions.” Maybe because he’s completed 64.7% of his passes for 2222 yards and 18 touchdowns so far.

We believe Klatt is going to go heavy on the LSU, even though the Aggies opened as 2.5-point favorites according to BetMGM. Reasons: LSU’s defense has gone from “porous” to “punishing,” holding Arkansas to minimal ground gains. Klatt believes in that defense too as they prepare to face Texas. This powerful running game, led by Le’Veon Moss, has given opponents plenty of headaches. Against Arkansas, LSU’s defense allowed only 38 rushing yards, a feat that’s sparked fresh playoff buzz around Baton Rouge. Alright, The JKS host might be onto something here.

Finally, Klatt concludes his faith in LSU, “In a lot of ways, my pick in this game lies in the hands of the quarterbacks cause both teams are developing, but again, it comes down to trust who do you believe in, and right now I believe Nussmeier more so than I do Weigman.”  Texas A&M’s Connor Wigman may have his strengths, but his recent performances haven’t exactly inspired confidence.

So, is LSU on a playoff path? Klatt thinks so. LSU’s success isn’t just a pipe dream for Klatt—it’s a possibility.

The LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier is defying the odds for Klatt

The possibility is that the Redshirt Junior QB has been a linchpin for the Tigers’ playoff hopes this season. With a completion rate of over 65% and a knack for finding the end zone, Garrett Nussmeier has shown why analysts like Klatt are putting their trust in him. His coach Brian Kelly warns why he keeps defenses on his toes. He has found 14 different receivers this season, which makes him a full-field threat. “The distribution of where the ball goes is much more difficult to defend because you don’t know where the ball is going,” Kelly explained.

Call him the next Joe ‘Shiesty’ Burrow, with his calm demeanor in high-stakes situations. “There’s a lot of things I worry about,” Aggies coach Mike Elko said of the LSU side. As the Tigers inch closer to potential playoff territory, it’s clear that Nussmeier’s arm and poise will be essential tools in their push for an SEC title.