LSU rushing offense
vs. Arizona rushing defense
The Tiger proved they could run in
the win over UL-Monroe. While hardly a test in rushing for 168 yards against the
Indians, it should be a better match when the Tigers heralded O-line meets up
with the Wildcats. While Arizona only gave up 69 rushing yards to UTEP last
Saturday, remember the Wildcat’s defensive front is the same group that
surrendered 161.8 yards per game a year ago.
Advantage:
LSU
LSU quarterback Matt Mauck
looks to improve on a 13-of-28 passing performance against ULM.
LSU passing offense
vs. Arizona passing defense
Matt Mauck’s numbers throwing the
ball were not exactly what people wanted to see against UL-Monroe. However,
taking solace in the fact he had six drops and Marcus Randall was excellent in
reserve action, the Tiger passing game is on its way. Look for it to get another
boost against an Arizona secondary that gave up 239 yards per game last
season.
Advantage: LSU
Arizona rushing
offense vs. LSU rushing defense
The Tigers rushing defense was
superb in holding ULM to just 59 total yards on the ground last week. While the
Wildcats generated 234 yards against UTEP and the ground game is supposedly
improved, take into consideration this is a unit that was last in Division I-A
last year in rushing offense with just 43.8 yards rushing per contest. Rome
wasn’t built in a day.
Advantage:
LSU
With senior cornerback
Randall Gay out with a fractured arm, Arizona quarterbacks could look to pick on
reserve corner Ronnie Prude.
Arizona passing
offense vs. LSU passing defense:
The Wildcats can’t throw it like
they could a year ago when Jason Johnson racked up 3,327 yards through the air.
Arizona uses a platoon system at quarterback, which was effective in last week’s
win over the Miners. Taking into consideration Randall Gay is out with a
fractured arm and a number of true freshmen will see action in their first road
game, the Wildcats could have a leg up. Plus they are in the Pac-10, a league
that likes to throw the ball.
Advantage:
Arizona
LSU special teams
vs. Arizona special teams:
With the emergence of Shyrone Carey
as star on punt returns, LSU’s special teams has a newfound weapon. Donnie Jones
continues to boom punts (long of 53 vs. ULM), plus he can aim kicks as well as
demonstrated with a couple of pooch punts against the Indians. Chris Jackson’s
kickoffs are booming and it is a matter of time before he takes over all place
kicking duties.
Advantage:
LSU
Justin Vincent is not a
true freshman, but he will be playing in his first road game as a
Tiger.
Intangibles:
This will be the first road game
for a number of true freshmen. And it is not like going to Starkville or Little
Rock, these guys are flying halfway across the country. Throw in a nationally
televised audience and things could get dicey. Plus, an SEC team has not beaten
a team from the Pac-10 since Tennessee beat UCLA 30-24 in 1997.
Advantage:
Arizona
Prediction:
Believe it or not, this one
shouldn’t be that close. Although LSU will probably allow the outcome to be
closer than it should be, the Tigers are a far superior team to a beleaguered
Arizona club. Internal problems are already out in the open after last season
and UA’s steady downturn in the ranks of the Pac-10 is well noted. One national
magazine analyst made the comparison of the Wildcats to SEC member Vanderbilt.
Enough said.
LSU 35, Arizona
17
- Matt
Deville