Last year they were missing their best QB, top rivals recruit, running fool Jake Locker. Toatally messed up the offense that was centered around him. Now he's back. Probably the 2nd best QB in the conference.
HC Ty Willingham is gone now too. He lost his teams confidence a month into the season -- former USC AC, Sarkisian is running things now. The whole city is happy about that and Sark though he also worked under Pete Carroll isn't a clown like Kiffin. He stole USC's DC and etc. to man up his staff. May be a bit thin on talent but nothing like last year. Good WR's and LB's. Maybe a ½-ass RB or 2 -- nothing special might be adequate though, can't really say.
Take your chances.
I'm an avid LSU fan and at first glance I thought this was easy money for us Tiger fans.... however, after further review, I think this line is right on. A couple things:
As Conan mentioned, new HC brings young energy and a bit of confidence to UW that was lacking last year. Also, Locker is a beast. He is mistake prone, but talented enough to keep this game competitive.
I do look for LSU's defense to be much improved from last year. Losing Pellini to Nebraska hurt much more than losing guys to the NFL IMO as far as last year's D is concerned. However, having a proven DC in Chavis at the helm should help. It being early though, I'm not sure he will have his system running on all cylinders. The secondary should be improved from the outset and I think LSU should control UW's running game.
Jefferson has the potential to be a great QB, but honestly has limited experience. However, LSU has plenty of talent at WR and RB to keep much of the pressure off him.
LSU is traveling across the country to play this game and let's not rule out the "jetlag" factor. It does exist.
All these things being said, I can see LSU winning this game big, or I can see UW keeping it relatively close. My prediction, 31-14 LSU. Gun to my head, I'd take the Tigers, but most likely I'll be cheering simply as a fan and not a bettor (unless the alcohol gets the best of me on Saturday). BOL to all who play either side of this game.
As Conan mentioned, new HC brings young energy and a bit of confidence to UW that was lacking last year. Also, Locker is a beast. He is mistake prone, but talented enough to keep this game competitive.
I do look for LSU's defense to be much improved from last year. Losing Pellini to Nebraska hurt much more than losing guys to the NFL IMO as far as last year's D is concerned. However, having a proven DC in Chavis at the helm should help. It being early though, I'm not sure he will have his system running on all cylinders. The secondary should be improved from the outset and I think LSU should control UW's running game.
Jefferson has the potential to be a great QB, but honestly has limited experience. However, LSU has plenty of talent at WR and RB to keep much of the pressure off him.
LSU is traveling across the country to play this game and let's not rule out the "jetlag" factor. It does exist.
All these things being said, I can see LSU winning this game big, or I can see UW keeping it relatively close. My prediction, 31-14 LSU. Gun to my head, I'd take the Tigers, but most likely I'll be cheering simply as a fan and not a bettor (unless the alcohol gets the best of me on Saturday). BOL to all who play either side of this game.
LSU covers this game easily. I got it at 16.5.
Jake mentions a first half Washington bet, which may be a good call. However, LSU has a lot of depth, talent, speed and simply more experience.
Washington is coming off a miserable season. LSU is a top 10 team. If this game was at LSU it would be around 28-30. I don't think the travel will have any effect what-so-ever on LSU. By the end of the game LSU will have worn down this less-talented team and cover easily.....
That's just one man's opinion.....
Jake mentions a first half Washington bet, which may be a good call. However, LSU has a lot of depth, talent, speed and simply more experience.
Washington is coming off a miserable season. LSU is a top 10 team. If this game was at LSU it would be around 28-30. I don't think the travel will have any effect what-so-ever on LSU. By the end of the game LSU will have worn down this less-talented team and cover easily.....
That's just one man's opinion.....
Stand corrected..Pardon. It's a two hour difference but the premise was jet lag; I think and this is the longest trip for the Tigers this year and could affect the players biorhythm especially in the second half. It may or may not affect the outcome of this game but it will affect the players to some degree.
Best Wishes
Buckeyemac
Best Wishes
Buckeyemac
I don't think UW is a terrible team. And if someone is looking at last year in handicapping this game it would be a HUGE mistake. This team should not resemble the team that spent most of last season praying for it to end once their QB and MVP went down.
Additionally, I do not think that LSU has the mental edge here either. This could very easily turn into a real tough game for the Tigers.
Additionally, I do not think that LSU has the mental edge here either. This could very easily turn into a real tough game for the Tigers.
Hmm. That is some big talk. Let me take a sec to look at how LSU performed ATS vs teams that they were supremely more talented than last year:
Regular Season
<table class="data" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr> <td class="datahead" width="26%">Date</td> <td class="datahead" width="24%">Vs</td> <td class="datahead" width="13%">Score</td> <td class="datahead" width="13%">Week</td> <td class="datahead" width="14%">LSU Line</td> <td class="datahead" width="10%">O/U</td> </tr> <tr class="datarow"> <td> Friday 11/28/08</td> <td> @ Arkansas </td> <td> L 30-31 </td> <td> Week 14</td> <td> L -7</td> <td> O 54</td> </tr> <tr class="datarow"> <td> Saturday 11/22/08</td> <td> Mississippi </td> <td> L 13-31 </td> <td> Week 13</td> <td> L -3</td> <td> U 54</td> </tr> <tr class="datarow"> <td> Saturday 11/15/08</td> <td> Troy </td> <td> W 40-31 </td> <td> Week 12</td> <td> L -16</td> <td> O 54.5</td> </tr> <tr class="datarow"> <td> Saturday 11/08/08</td> <td> Alabama </td> <td> L 21-27 x</td> <td> Week 11</td> <td> L 3</td> <td> O 46.5</td> </tr> <tr class="datarow"> <td> Saturday 11/01/08</td> <td> Tulane </td> <td> W 35-10 </td> <td> Week 10</td> <td> L -30.5</td> <td> U 53.5</td> </tr> <tr class="datarow"> <td> Saturday 10/25/08</td> <td> Georgia </td> <td> L 38-52 </td> <td> Week 9</td> <td> L PK </td> <td> O 50</td> </tr> <tr class="datarow"> <td> Saturday 10/18/08</td> <td> @ South Carolina </td> <td> W 24-17 </td> <td> Week 8</td> <td> W -1.5</td> <td> U 42</td> </tr> <tr class="datarow"> <td> Saturday 10/11/08</td> <td> @ Florida </td> <td> L 21-51 </td> <td> Week 7</td> <td> L 6.5</td> <td> O 46.5</td> </tr> <tr class="datarow"> <td> Saturday 09/27/08</td> <td> Mississippi State </td> <td> W 34-24 </td> <td> Week 5</td> <td> L -24</td> <td> O 42.5</td> </tr> <tr class="datarow"> <td> Saturday 09/20/08</td> <td> @ Auburn </td> <td> W 26-21 </td> <td> Week 4</td> <td> W -2</td> <td> O 37</td> </tr> <tr class="datarow"> <td> Saturday 09/13/08</td> <td> North Texas </td> <td> W 41-3 </td> <td> Week 3</td> <td> L -42</td> <td> U 60</td> </tr> <tr class="datarow"> <td> Saturday 08/30/08</td> <td> Appalachian State</td> <td> W 41-13 </td> <td> Week 1</td> <td> N </td> <td> N </td></tr></tbody></table>
Before Locker went down, Washington nearly beat a respectable BYU team but lost in a heart breaker. I think the ending to that game, followed by the pounding they took when the Sooners came to town, and then losing their leader/ best player was about all they could take so they mailed it in early.
This year Washington will be a different team. Not a good team but a team that can compete. 1st half huskies would be the play if I was on this one.
This year Washington will be a different team. Not a good team but a team that can compete. 1st half huskies would be the play if I was on this one.
