re: Breaking down Penn St

I don't see this game as a blowout for either team. May be a bit difficult to get a good read on Penn State due to the overall competition they have played this year. Ohio State and Iowa by far was the stiffest competition and both teams more than controlled those games.

However, in a couple of cupcakes in Eastern Ill and Akron, they looked pretty good.

While the D line at Penn State may not be all world, they are probably better than the D line for LSU this year. Linebackers may be a wash, with the D backs of LSU having an edge.

Offensively, to be totally honest, who knows who will show up for either team. Neither one has played great on offense, save a couple of games.

Hoping for a great game without any injuries, with LSU coming out on top!

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I'm surprised everyone thinks that LSU is going to roll and put up 20+ points on PSU's defense

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Thanks

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Tiger fans giving way too much credance to the "Miles is great in bowl games" argument.

I think the teams are fairly even. That's not to say it won't be a blowout, as both are capable of laying a big egg on any given day.

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Right on both counts.

good post!

Interesting and somewhat insightful analysis.

I actually think the two teams -similarly flawed- match up very well. This bowl game will almost certainly be more intense and fun than one or more of the BCS pairings.

In this one, the winner will simply want it more.

I was thinking the same thing.

Im calling LSU by 10+
PSU just hasn't shown any offense in a big game this season.

FWIW, Id love for JoePa and crew to pull off the W. Im wondering how many fans they'll have in the stadium after a very "meh" season.

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I'm surprised everyone thinks that LSU is going to roll and put up 20+ points on PSU's defense. We haven't given up more than 24 points once this season, average 11.8 points/game, and -- to be fair -- LSU's offense hasn't been spectacular.

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The thing is, most astute LSU fans realize that the offense has the potential to put up big numbers against just about any defense from a team not named Florida or Alabama. Our offensive coaching has just fricked up in spectacular fashion (there really is no way to convey to you how awful it was this year), so I really do believe that there is some real substance to the "LSU does better in bowls" argument.

LSU's offense fixed a few problems and did better against Auburn (admittedly a crappy defense) after our open date, and having 15 practices (a virtual new season for the coaches) can do wonders for fixing long-term problems.

Our offensive line is weak, our QB is not fundamentally sound, our WRs don't know how to get open, and our RBs are injured, but there's still a good bit of powder in the keg. I think LSU scoring somewhere around 17-30 points would be about what I will expect, a wide range, I know, but bowl games are inherently unpredictable, especially when there are coaching changes afoot.