LSU Vs Vanderbilt Betting Preview

LSU Tigers at Vanderbilt Commodores, Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, TN
Saturday, September 11, 2010, 7:00 pm, TV: ESPNU
Opening Line: LSU -9 1/2
Current Line: LSU -10
Opening Total: 44
Current Total: 44
Money Line: LSU -380 / Vanderbilt +310
Odds from above taken from Bookmaker Sportsbook

The LSU Tigers travel to Nashville to open SEC play against one the weaker teams in the conference, Vanderbilt. LSU escaped with a narrow victory over a North Carolina team decimated by suspensions, while Vanderbilt lost a heart breaker to Northwestern. It is difficult what to make of these results, as is true with most teams that have only played one game.

LSU was up 30-10 at halftime against North Carolina and held on to win 30-24. A late goal line stand saved the Tigers from losing. The Tigers looked very pedestrian on offense only gaining 313 total yards, and turning the ball over 5 times. Quarterback Jordan Jefferson threw for 151 yards with two touchdown passes and an interception. The Tigers rushed for 162 yards, but lost 4 fumbles. The Tigers were excellent against the run only giving up 33 yards, but the Tarheels torched the Tigers for 412 yards. Quarterback Tyler Yates threw for 3 touchdowns, including a brilliant 97 yard touchdown pass in the 4th quarter to wide receiver Jheranie Boyd. Boyd finished with 221 yards recieving and the one touchdown. You can look at this game one of two ways. Either the gutsy Tarheels almost pulled out a miraculous victory despite the fact that they were missing 13 players due to suspension, or LSU nearly choked away a victory against a team they should have beaten handily because they were so depleted. Either way coach Les Miles is still firmly on the hot seat, and a loss to a weak Vandy team will only make the situation worse.

Vanderbilt welcomed the Northwestern Wildcats to Nashville last week. The Commodores had a chance to tie up the game with 2 minutes to go, but they missed a two point conversion and ended up losing 23-21. Quarterback Larry Smith threw for 277 yards, a touchdown and a pick. he also rushed for 48 yards. Vanderbilt rushed for almost 200 yards as a team, led by Zac Stacy who rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown. The defense allowed 365 yards and forced a fumble. Wildcat Quarterback Dan Persa threw for 222 yards and 3 scores. Both teams missed PAT’s, and Vanderbilt also missed two two point conversions. Northwestern is expected to go to a bowl this year and probably didn’t expect such a tough game.

It will be interesting to see what happens in this game. Some have said this is a rebuilding year for the Tigers, but they should still be able to beat Vanderbilt even on the road. The Tigers will have to shore up the defense because after they play Vanderbilt they start a brutal four game stretch against Mississippi St, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Florida.