here is collegefootballnews.com's preview of the game. http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2004/Columnists/JH/Sept4/OregonState_LSU.htm Oregon State at LSU a. Are there enough balls to go around? – So, let’s see. There’s cover boy Justin Vincent, Alley Broussard, and Shyrone Carey in the backfield. Joseph Addai can play in the backfield or at receiver. There’s the mercurial Skyler Green and Dwayne Bowe, in addition to freshmen Xavier Carter and Early Doucet. Okay, so maybe the lead-in is a bit tongue in cheek, but this group of LSU skill players is as good as any in the nation. Oregon State will be hard pressed to find a better version of skill guys at any point this year, including that ‘other’ national championship team to the south of Corvallis that’s not too bad. OSU has a strong secondary, so matching up with Green and his receiving corps may not put the Beavers under, but stopping the running game might. Vincent, Broussard and Carey all display varying styles and are all capable of hitting the home run, if you will. OSU must not allow the Tigers to let these weapons loose and keep the big plays in front of them. b. A sitting Duck, errr, Beaver? – Never having played against the defensive havoc that is the LSU defense, the Beavers must not let Derek Anderson be a standing statue in the pocket. Anderson has enough problems trying to be consistent throwing the football that the Beavers have to ensure that he’s protected and allowed at least three seconds to throw the football. Anderson is a taller, healthier version of Jason White, and many of you remember what defensive coordinator Will Muschamp did to him. Thus, if Anderson is going to have any success throwing the football, he’s going to need sterling protection and Anderson, himself, must locate any potential blitzers, finding any potential man mismatches in the slot. He can challenge the perimeter, but that means going after Corey Webster or Travis Daniels. On second thought, look inside. c. David Pollack Lite – Obviously, SEC fans are extremely familiar with the exploits of one David Pollack of Georgia, but few of them are aware of Oregon State’s defensive end Bill Swancutt, who will remind LSU fans of Georgia’s #47. Swancutt has a motor that doesn’t quit and is the Beavers version of a pass rush. He’ll be matched up on Andrew Whitworth or Rudy Niswanger, who moved to tackle this season. He’s extremely quick off the edge, but has good strength that, on occasion, he uses to bull rush tackles back into the quarterback. With Marcus Randall stepping into the starting role, LSU can’t afford to have Swancutt in Randall’s lap all night long. Thus, no matter how good Whitworth is, if he’s struggling with Swancutt’s perpetual motor, the Tigers must chip or double him to give Randall time to get the ball downfield. Swancutt has an experienced and strong secondary behind him, so he knows forcing Randall into poor decisions/throws is paramount to the Beavers slowing this offensive machine. Conclusion: The eternal optimist that is OSU’s head coach Mike Riley may tell you he’s stoked to start the season in Baton Rouge. But, he might be the only one. The Beavers may try to find differences in last year’s national champions and the 2004 squad, but it’ll be hard. The offense may be better and the defense is still loaded for bear, or beaver, in this case. The only shot OSU has is if Anderson is immaculate in the pocket, with his decision-making and accuracy. But, that’s a stretch, at best, against this defense – LSU – 28 vs. OSU – 16 CFN Fearless Prediction Why to watch: The defending national champions (no, not USC you media types) get their turn at bat ready to stake a claim to the number one spot. As good as LSU might be, this won't be a walk in the park against an Oregon State team with (don't laugh SEC fans) the best defense the Tigers might face all year long. LSU isn't getting the universal respect it thinks it deserves coming off a championship season and is looking to make a major statement. Oregon State is looking to play well to bring more respect to the Pac 10 and show that it's going to be a factor in the conference race. Why Oregon State might win: O.K., so maybe Georgia will be the best defense LSU faces this season outside of its own practices, but Oregon State's is right up there finishing seventh in the nation last season with seven starters returning. Yeah, this D really is that good with a brick wall of a run defense allowing only 84 yards per game (fourth in the nation.) This is a new year and a new team, but the Beaver front seven is good enough to keep RB Justin Vincent in check and force new starting QB Marcus Randall to make plays through the air. That's not a good thing against Brandon Browner and the tremendous OSU secondary. Why LSU might win: Oregon State QB Derek Anderson didn't meet an interception he didn't like to throw and LSU's secondary will be drooling to make the big play. Without RB Steven Jackson, OSU needs Anderson, its best offensive talent, to come through with a huge performance; that's asking a lot out of the streaky passer. The Beaver O line is very good, but it's going to have a hard time protecting the relatively immobile Anderson against the onslaught of the Tiger blitz. Who to watch: Two of the nation's best defensive ends will be on display as Oregon State's Bill Swancutt and LSU's Marcus Spears will need to be accounted for on every play. Swancutt has 25.5 career sacks and could single-handedly disrupt everything the LSU passing game tries to do. Spears made eight sacks last year and should force Anderson to hurry at least a few throws. The words pick six could come up a couple of times if these two ends have big games. What will happen: LSU will win but it isn't going to be a blowout until late. Oregon State simply doesn't have the offensive weapons to keep up hoping its defense takes advantage of any mistakes the young LSU skill players make. It's LSU on national television in Death Valley at night; OSU has to overcome the early emotion. If it isn't 14-0 after the first ten minutes this should be a heck of a ball game. CFN Prediction: LSU 31 ... Oregon State 13 ... Line: LSU -19 Must See Rating: (5 lock yourself in a room to watch - 1 Plan Star Jones' wedding on The View) ... 4.5 Final Score:
I remember what Muschamp (Freddy Kruger) did to Jason :hihi: I wonder ... have the LSU blitzing barrage from the Sugar bowl subsided in Jason's nightmares :shock:
