chris jordan writeup:
Chris Jordan New Year's Day, 3,000* Winner ... 3,000♦ PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS - Does LSU really believe it is going to "run past" the Nittany Lions in this game today? Do the Tigers honestly believe when the two teams meet at Citrus Bowl Stadium, they'll be able to execute on the poor field conditions today's game offers?
Really Les Miles? With the 107th ranked offense that has the 85th-ranked rushing game and 99th-ranked pass attack in the nation?
Not feeling it. I don't care about the Tigers' defense, heck, I know it's tough. It's been the bread and butter for this program since Nick Saban was at the helm - and before then too.
The fact is, when the Tigers were faced with staunch defensive units this season, they failed miserably. The lost 13-3 to Florida. They lost 24-15 to Alabama. They lost 25-23 to Mississippi. That's an average final of 20.6-13.6 in those losses.
Now, against the eighth-best defense in the nation, a stop unit that is fourth in allowing just 11.8 points per game and ranks ninth against the run and 19th against the pass, the Tigers honestly believe their "speed" will make a difference in crappy weather on a crappy field?
Not to get "texty" on you, but, OMG and LOL ... okay, whatever!
Seriously, I know Penn State doesn't have a player as fast as LSU's Trindon Holliday, who has been labeled as college football's fastest player by some. But it's only going to take one good pop from one of the Nittany Lions' monsters on the line - perhaps Jack Crawford - to slow this kid down. His ability to cutback and juke defenders will be limited in bad field conditions, so the advantage is in my court with the Lions.
Quite frankly, you put this Lions defense in the SEC, I'd be willing to say it can matchup with anyone in that league. If you watch their linebackers on film, and how agile they are, and quick they are, being able to run from sideline to sideline, let me tell you something - these are true ballers, in every sense of the word. And they hit hard.
They not only come out stick, but they're smart. They know how to read offensive sets, they know how to avoid being read themselves. They know how to play football. Take your game vertical, their linebackers can adjust to assist the defensive backers. Move horizontal, again, they'll run sideline to sideline.
Penn State's defense is very similar to Alabama's - fast and athletic.
And You saw the final score of the 'Bama-LSU game, right?
And what about the offense, you ask?
It's much better than LSU's, I can tell you that much.
It ranks 35th overall, and is equally balanced with the 37th-best rushing game and 40th-ranked pass attack. It has scored a minimum of 28 points in nine of its 10 wins, including that 42-14 shellacking of Michigan State in the season finale.
So there is plenty of momentum coming into this New Year's Day battle.
I read a quote from Bruce Marshall, a handicapper from the famed Gold Sheet, as he said: "I don't see why Penn State is favored in this game. It really boggles my mind."
And just like that everyone is following the same theory, which is that LSU is 4-0 straight up and against the spread in bowls under coach Les Miles, and that Penn State a relatively easier schedule than the Tigers because of the difference in schedules.
Please, these are the Bowl Games. If the mystique behind power conferences meant something, would the Mountain West Conference be 4-0 right now? Would the SEC be 1-2?
How bout this, if we're looking at conferences, the Mountain West, Big East, Sun Belt and Independent schools are a collective 8-0 thus far. The Pac 10 and SEC are 3-6 ... explain that Bruce!
Penn State hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 15 straight contests, and since injuries in the backfield have forced one-time fourth-stringer Stevan Ridley into LSU's starting lineup, I don't think the Tigers will be using speed against anyone today. Holliday will get his, he'll have a decent day; but as a whole, the Tigers are in trouble.
And once standouts Navorro Bowman and Sean Lee shut down the A and B gaps, quarterback Jordan Jefferson will be thrust into the spotlight for LSU, as he'll be asked to make plays against the a unit that ranked seventh in the nation in sacks. He'll look for receiver Brandon LaFell, but I doubt he's going to be able to weave his way through Penn State's bend-but-won't-break defense today.
Everything LSU tries today, Penn State will counter.
Happy New Year guys, Penn State is my Bowl Game of the Year - enjoy!!!