Thoughts on SC-LSU and TTech-ISU?

[JTrain]

Outside of a pretty ugly Auburn team, LSU has struggled to run away from anybody. I would be interested particularly in anyone with insight into the state of the South Carolina team at this point. Are they ready fold for the season or do they have motivation to save Spurrier?

For ISU, I can see Tech putting up a lot of points on them. Leaning towards Tech -12. Any thoughts?

[SightSeer]

This is a large number to lay on the SEC road, but we've already seen SC get pounded by UGA, albeit on the road. Nunez making his first career start struggled at Mizzou, as expected. He can run, but is not a polished passer. If LSU stacks the box and can shut down Cooper, I don't see SC scoring much, at least on offense. Mizzou's defense is fairly legit, but Missouri's defense does not have the talent LSU's has. SC is going to have a true freshman making his first home start with increasing pressure on Spurrier. Even his most defendant fans are starting to talk about new blood. Everybody always says 'It's the ol' ball coach, he'll have something up his sleeve", and that's mostly true, but SC reminds me a lot of Va Tech, they just seem to be losing some of the magic from these legendary coaches.

Mile's referred to 'getting his teeth' into an SEC opponent two or three different times after the E. Mich win, and to me it sounds like LSU will be ready to go in this one. He also mentioned that he was saving Fournette more than usually Sat because he wanted him to be fresh for SC. To me it sounds like they plan on wearing the cocks D-Line down. The lack of any real 'blowout' win from them does not deter me in any way.

I think a huge factor with this game is actually the flooding that Columbia is dealing with right now. Obviously it is an enormous game for SC, but this is a once in a lifetime storm that just swept through, and lots of media attention. Last night SC coaches were saying they didn't think it would affect the practice schedule, but today did a complete 180 on that, saying now is definitely WILL affect this week's preparation. Any distraction for 18-22 year old kids can be exaggerated when they talent simply is not as good as the team they will be facing that week.

On any other week, the number alone would keep me away from taking LSU. They rarely cover DD away favorite conference games (mainly because it doesn't happy very often), but if LSU can create 2, 3, or 4 TO's on Nunez, it could get ugly. SC has already shown their ability to let the game get away from them on good rushing teams, and that's certainly what they are going to see on Saturday. It is also an early kickoff, so crowd factor is diminished somewhat.

I can see SC coming out flat as hell and getting beat 48-14, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if they came out with inspiration, playing with pride for their state that could use a nice pick-me-up about now. I'm going to stay away from putting thing on this, but I did consider it long and hard on LSU. The line seems too low to me, which is too fishy for my taste.

[SightSeer]

The Tx Tech game is hard to predict. In my opinion, ISU is an underrated team. Losing by 14 to what we now see as an undefeated Iowa team (and the game was closer than 14 points), and losing by 7 at a very good Toledo team (beating KU and N. Iowa).

They are getting a Tech team just getting done playing both TCU and Baylor and this is a classic let down spot for them at home. Lubbock is a tough place to play, if the Red Raiders are up for a fight. I have a feeling that, even though they did lose both games to TCU and Baylor, they've got some inflated egos and might not be taking this one as seriously as they should. Two huge nationally televised games in a row followed by one that will be against an inferior conference opponent on some FoxSports local channel. We will see how they fare in the favorite role against a team who is in their comfortable spot as an away dog.

The game against TCU has public perception thinking Tech is a bit better than they are. I actually read somewhere last week that Iowa St vs. KU last week was a match up between the two worst power 5 teams, which is true in KU's case, but not the Cyclones.

It's a scary proposition betting against Tx Tech at home, as they could put up 50 and win it going away, but there is something about this that looks too easy. I haven't looked into this one much yet, but I have a gut feeling that Paul Rhodes can keep this one close.

[JTrain]

Thanks for the input. I am leaning towards Tech and am now completely in the middle on LSU-SC.

[M.W.]

The game against TCU has public perception thinking Tech is a bit better than they are. I actually read somewhere last week that Iowa St vs. KU last week was a match up between the two worst power 5 teams, which is true in KU's case, but not the Cyclones.

They're not even the two worst teams in the Big 12, but you make a good point: Iowa State is probably better than a dozen power-5 teams including KU; Maryland, Rutgers, and Purdue; Wake, Virginia, WSU, and Colorado.