Washington Huskies at #3 LSU Tigers
Saturday, September 8, 2012, 7:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Tiger Stadium – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Opening Line: LSU -23
Current Line: LSU -24
Opening Total: 56
Current Total: 53
Opening Money Line: LSU -2200 / Washington +1350
Current Money Line: LSU -2200 / Washington +1350
LSU and Washington meet for the third time ever Saturday in Baton Rouge. LSU leads the series 2-0. The first meeting was in Baton Rouge in 1983, also the last time Washington played a road game against an SEC team. LSU beat Washington in Seattle 31-23 in 2009 to open the season.
That loss was the first game for current Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian. Last week Washington opened the season against San Diego St in Seattle. The Huskies were 15 point favorites and the total was 55.5. Washington jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead. SDSU scored in the second quarter but went for two and failed to make the halftime score 14-6. The Huskies took a 21-6 lead on a 44 yard fumble return for a touchdown in the third quarter. The Aztecs scored early in the fourth, went for two again and failed, to make the score 21-12. Neither team scored for the rest of the game.
Washington held San Diego St to 327 total yards, including 199 rushing yards. The Huskies forced 3 turnovers. They played much better on defense than they did last year when they gave up 453 yards per game.
The Husky offense which was supposed to be a strength struggled against the Aztecs though. Washington gained only 328 total yards, including 222 passing yards from quarterback Keith Price. Price completed 25 of 35 passes including a touchdown. Running back Jesse Callier tore his ACL in the game and is gone for the season. Bishop Sankey had 22 carries, 66 yards, and a touchdown. Austin Seferian-Jenkins had 9 catches for 82 yards. Kasen Williams had 6 catches, 75 yards, and a touchdown.
LSU is coached by Les Miles. the Tigers opened at home last week against North Texas. The Tigers were 44 point favorites and the total was 52.5. LSU jumped out to a 24-0 in the first half. North Texas scored just before halftime on an 80 yard touchdown pass to make it 24-7. LSU outscored the Mean Green 17-7 in the second half to take the 41-14 victory.
The Tigers held North Texas to 219 total yards and 9 first downs. Really, aside from the one big play in the first half, LSU completely shut down North Texas. The Tigers forced 2 turnovers.
LSU racked up 508 total yards including 316 rushing yards. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger made his debut as LSU quarterback. He completed 19 out of 26 passes for 192 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Kenny Hilliard had 13 carries, 141 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Alfred Blue had 16 carries for 123 yards. Jarvis Landry had 8 catches for 82 yards. Kadron Boone had 2 catches, 46 yards and a touchdown. LSU also scored on a 70 yard punt return from Odell Beckham in the first quarter. LSU had 10 penalties for 55 yards.
LSU has the nation’s longest home winning streak at 18 games. The Tigers have also won 38 straight non-conference games, one short of the NCAA record set by Kansas St from 1993-2003. LSU is 4-0 ATS after failing to cover, 9-0 after allowing less than 275 total yards, 8-0 after allowing less than 170 passing yards, 7-1 after a win of more than 20 points, 6-1 after rushing for over 200 yards, 5-1 after scoring 40 points or more, 9-2 after allowing 20 points or less, 8-2 against teams with winning records, 7-2 after a straight up win, 5-2 on grass, and 7-3 overall.
Washington is 8-2 ATS after allowing less than 170 passing yards, 7-3 after a straight up win, 1-4 on grass, 1-5 overall, 0-4 against teams with winning records, and in road games.
Washington gave up 199 rushing yards to San Diego St, so it doesn’t bode well for their chances against one of the deepest rushing units in the country. On the other hand Washington QB Keith Price is fully capable of inflicting damage on an LSU secondary capable of surrendering big plays without star cornerback Tyrann Mathieu who was suspended indefinitely for failing drug tests. I think LSU wins, but Washington could hang around the 24 point spread.
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