Still Batting 1.000
Yes, I know I am mixing my sports metaphors. LSU moved to 4-0 (2-0 in the SEC) today as they defeated a feisty USC (the “other” USC) team in Death Valley. So far the LSU Tigers have
- Shut out a weaker SEC opponent
- Whipped a top-ten ranked team that I feel is over-rated
- Predictably mopped up a second-tier opponent in Middle Tennessee State
- Defeated a good South Carolina team
The USC game is the first game where LSU has failed to cover the spread. (No, I am not a betting person, but I figure that those that are probably pay a lot more attention to the games than I do.) The score was 28-16, and for some reason Spurrier decided to kick a field goal from inside the 10 yard line when trailing 28-7 and only a few minutes to go. It seems that going for a touchdown would have made a lot more sense.
The game was sloppy due to rain, so the ground game was understandably more critical. LSU used a fake field goal to score a touchdown just before the half. They ended up with 287 yards rushing to USC’s 16. (Quarterback sacks accounted for some of that.) USC used a couple of quarterbacks that in tandem threw for 244 yards. That doesn’t bode well for LSU’s visit to Kentucky…
What else happened in the SEC this weekend?
Florida got past Ole Miss, but it wasn’t easy. They retain their top spot in the Eastern division, but they have to travel to South Carolina to play where they have been vulnerable. And you know Spurrier pulls out all the stops for that game.
LSU moves into sole possession of first place in the SEC West as Georgia took Alabama to overtime and won 26-23.
What has happened to Arkansas? With their super running back Darren McFadden running for 173 you would think they would be in the game, but Kentucky’s quarterback is showing that he’s one of the best in the SEC. He went 21-of-39 for this game, and has now thrown 296 passes without an interception. According to one article I read that means he broke Trent Dilfer’s major college record of 271 passes without an interception. If you don’t make mistakes, you’re going to win games. All of a sudden it seems that LSU has a tough game ahead of them when they travel to Lexington.
LSU and Florida are the only remaining SEC teams that can go undefeated in the conference. And only one of those will make it, as they play each other in Death Valley.
Saturday, October 6th. Circle the date. It’s going to be wild.