The LSU Tigers can’t please anybody despite being 5-0. Al Dannity says the criticism will continue after this weekend but the Tigers will remain unbeaten.
Split personalities The LSU Tigers and Florida Gators possess two of the fiercest defenses in all of College Football. These are two nasty units. These are the types of defenses which keep teams in the hunt for the BCS National Championship. LSU even possess an unlikely Heisman contender on defense in Patrick Peterson. Based on defense alone, College Football betting fans would have no reason to be surprised at these schools’ combined 9-1 record. Unfortunately for Gators and Tigers’ fans, these defenses are supporting two of the most inept offenses in FBS Football.
Florida ranks #83 in passing yards and #65 in rushing yards. LSU is more unbalanced with the #33 rushing game but the #112 out of 120 passing attack. The nadir for both offenses came on Saturday. LSU’s Jordan Jefferson went 3 of 10 for 30 yards with no touchdowns and 2 interceptions, eventually being benched for Jarrett Lee in the second half. At least the Tigers won, albeit in bizarre circumstances. The Gators suffered through John Brantley’s 16 of 31 performance with 205 yards, no touchdowns and 2 interceptions en route to a 31-6 defeat at Alabama.
While Brantley’s numbers are less discouraging than Jefferson’s, he remains a square peg in a round hole. The Florida quarterback has the tools to play in a pro-style offense but he is all wrong for the spread formation used by Florida. The difference between LSU and Florida right now is the ability to adapt. The Tigers will find a way to overcome their own shortcomings this Saturday and win an ugly game.
Alabama wary of upset-minded Gamecocks Nick Saban will be spending the next few days criticising his players for every mistake they made against Florida. It’s not that the Tide played badly, they were in fact stellar against the Gators, but Saban knows he can’t let last week’s win affect his team’s mindset. That’s why the Alabama coach will do everything to keep his players hungry, eager to improve, and mindful of the challenge posed by South Carolina.
The Gamecocks were undone by some Cam Newton heroics against Auburn but remain a serious threat at home. Marcus Lattimore is a beast of a running back who will keep the Bama defense honest, giving Stephen Garcia opportunities to create something in the passing game. I like the Gamecocks to keep this game close but to be overwhelmed by Alabama’s offense in the end. Bet on Alabama to win as -7.0 favorites with Sports Interaction.
