My biggest worry is what LSU defense will show up. Will it be the one who started the season only allowing only 9.3 pts per game or the one who finished the season allowing 24.4 pts per game. I know we were a little banged up but with our depth, it shouldn't have been that bad. Biggest confidence is the LSU running game. Just too many weapons, we have the bruiser, speedster, change of pace, and the flat out burner! We may be playing into OSU strength, but I'm confident we will be just fine. We've out gained our opponents 3182 to 1719. That my friends is 185% better than our opp.
Imo, both teams will set out to shut down the other team's running game... and both will do it effectively, especially during the first half. This should be a game of third down efficiency, punting, and field position. This will be your basic knockdown, drag-out fight. I would put the over/under at 44.
Actually, aren't that deep at LB's and the secondary...With the exception of Chad Jones, the backup lb's and defensive backs were pretty dissapointing and slow to develop.
Worries: Which offensive line will show up? Penalties Dropped passes Slow starts Lack of pressure on Boeckman Confidences: Healthy key players Miles has a great record of preparing this team for bowl games with a month off. Our defensive front four The dome. Senior leadership That excessive speed advantage the SEC has over the Big 10...:shock: :milesmic:
I expect a knock down drag out fight myself. I'm just saying I like our rushing offense. I apoligize for the misunderstanding. All you hear about is how deep LSU is at the positions yet we struggled when our big boys were out. However, I do like our dept at RB.
That 4th and 10 against Ark with Dick at QB was different in so many ways than the 4th down situation against UK with Woodson at QB.
My concern is with the defense. As the season wore on, I could not decide whether our players were that banged up (definitely part of the problem) or whether Pelini was trying so hard to get the job @ Nebraska that he didn't gameplan properly. I'm concerned that Pelini is still coaching, and I hope that he's concentrated on a great gameplan for the game, but I would worry that he's still more into his new job than he is with his old gig. I'm confident in our running game, and cautiously optimistically confident in our ability to have an explosive passing game, as well. Great thread topic, Red!
I'm not really worried about Pelini being the DC for this game. Think about it, what better way to get your new guys excited by demonstrating what you can do in front of the biggest stage in college football? I look for him to come out very aggressive the way this LSU football team is built to play defense. I'll admit, I thought we got conservative a few times but you have to consider who we were playing. Take Florida for instance, you never want to blitz a running QB, you want to contain, and Arkansas, again, McFadden played QB most of the game.
LSU is the best team in the best conference playing at home. If the Buckeyes keep it close it;s a win for them. This is not Ohio States best team. They were picked no better than third or fourth in the weak Big Ten at the start of the season.
