North Texas Mean Green at No. 3 LSU Tigers
Saturday, 9/1/12, 7:00 PM EST, TV: ESPNU
Opening Point Spread: LSU -43
Current Betting Line: LSU -43.5
Opening Total: 51
Current Total: 52
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
North Texas opens the 2012 season versus one of the top teams in the country, which is nothing new for this program, while opening up on the road for the 11th straight year. The Mean Green are led by junior quarterback Derek Thompson, who passed for 1,759 yards and 11 touchdowns a season ago, while also throwing six interceptions. North Texas is 3-0 as a road underdog of 21.5 or more points over the last two-plus seasons, with all three of those games going “under” the total.
The Mean Green welcome back nine starters on offense and five on defense under second-year head coach Dan McCarney, as he made a big mark with the program in terms of turnover differential in 2011. North Texas posted the 12th-best turnaround in that category, going from 71st in the nation to 15th. Thompson is going to be relied on heavily to get things done through the air in this contest, considering he’s the school’s leading returning rusher with just 113 yards a season ago.
LSU will look to extend its regular season non-conference win streak to 37 games, while also shooting for its 17th straight victory at Tiger Stadium. The Tigers are looking to forget about last year’s BCS Championship Game, as they were handled with ease by the Alabama Crimson Tide. One thing that may affect the team’s focus is Hurricane Isaac, which is passing through the state of Louisiana on Wednesday. LSU is 4-4 in non-conference games since the 2010 campaign.
The Tigers will be led by quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who will become the program’s first signal-caller to make his first start in a season-opener at home since 2008. LSU is hoping that he makes a smooth transition in the early going, especially with the offseason troubles the program has gone through, including the dismissal of All-America cornerback Tyrann Mathieu. The team may also play this particular contest without the services of running back Michael Ford and linebacker Tahj Jones.
Sports bettors will likely back the Mean Green due to their 4-1 mark in non-conference action, while the Tigers are 1-3 ATS at home as a favorite of 21.5 or more points.
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