I'm looking for one simple thing out of these games: the ability to play a FULL, 60-minute game, start to finish, and thoroughly dominate a team. No more of this showing up in the 3rd or 4th quarter garbage and sleepwalking the rest of the way. This is the only real concern I still have about Les's teams.
I certainly don't like to get cocky about upcoming opponents, but CHRIST, UDub was the worst D-I football team in the entire country last year. I don't care that it's at their house. First of all, that stadium looks itty-bitty. This seasoned LSU team has played in the most fierce environments that college football has to offer. Also, it will feel like it's about 30 degrees cooler there than if the game were played on the same date in Baton Rouge. So I wouldn't put a whole lot into the home field advantage. I think the biggest challenge the Tigers face is travel fatigue and adjusting to the time zone. I remember hearing a lot of talk before last season about how LSU should really watch out for Appy St b/c we only beat them by 24 in 2005, they run the spread option, yadda, yadda, yadda. Well, we all know how that turned out.
I saw them play here in Tucson last year, and every other year for that matter for a while. Last year they completely mailed it in and had absolutely no fight left for Willingham. All they have going for them is: 1. A better attitude, an a positive outlook going into the season. 2. A decent QB prospect, that is unproven but was once highly touted. 3. A couple of playmakers. 4. Good fan base, tradition, and facilities. Keep in mind, they have the same hopefull spirit going in to the season that every other school has, the same one that gets smacked with reality a few games into the season.......unfortunately for them, they will probably receive that smack on Sep 5th and not later. Sarkisian will have them opening with Cal-poly and Northern Arizona soon enough.
me too. no offense to either of them, but if we're not rolling (especially on defense) i'd be worried. real worried. but i'm in the group that thinks LSU will lose two regular season games at most. so i guess it is what it is.
Lay the points and bet the over. Its an iron clad lock. I'm calling this one 52-7 and it could be worse if Shepard gets to run the whole offense in the 4th quarter.
Here is how I think it will go... The Defense will disguise well and put a lot of pressure on the QB. I don't think the defense will give up more than one or two scores. 14 points at most, more than likely not more than 7. After the game everyone will be saying "this is the best defense in years at LSU" On Offense... I think the offensive line will set out to control the game. I think you will see a lot of grounding and pounding in the first half. Washington will have to stack the line to try and stop the CS & KW train. I think at that point you see Crowton open the game up a little (but not to much, does not want to show too much). By the fourth quarter I think you will have seen JJ, Lee and Sheppard at QB and Toliver will look like a man amongst boys. Dickson gets him a touchdown as well catching a ball just beyond the linebackers as they cheat up trying to fill the gaps opened by the OL. LSU wins 42-7
I would call this one a steam roll, but the Vandy game will be a good test. As mentioned, possible short preperation week and Vandy is usually pretty good for the first 4-5 weeks, then lack of depth and injuries start to slow them down.
Well according to many, Locker is their best player...followed by several on the defense. That doesn't seem to bode well for them...since it is also widely accepted that their defense sucks. So if most of their good players are on the sucky defense...ouch. - Tigers 51-9
