http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2005/Columnists/JH/BigGameKeys2_LSU_ASU.htm A good read... Conclusion – With everything seemingly working against LSU, now comes word that the game will be moved to Tempe on Saturday. Maybe that works in LSU’s favor by getting out of the tragedy stricken state, maybe they’ll just go through the motions. Who knows? The thought is that 60 minutes of banging headgears with a different colored jersey might be the best therapy the Tigers could have. Sam Keller didn’t have to do much against Temple, allowing his flyboy RB the opportunity to get some love, but LSU will put him to the test. He’ll be under duress all night long, and that could lead to some turnovers that LSU must take use to their advantage. Keep an eye on Joseph Addai and his leadership throughout this game and how that filters through to the rest of his teammates. LSU – 24 vs. Arizona State - 23
CFN Keys to ASU-LSU game http://collegefootballnews.com/2005/Columnists/JH/BigGameKeys2_LSU_ASU.htm Sept. 8, 2005 [font=verdana, arial, sans serif]Keys to the Big Games [/font][font=verdana, arial, sans serif]Week One, Sept. 10 - LSU vs. Arizona State[/font][font=verdana, arial, sans serif][size=-1] [/size][/font]By John Harris a. You against me? Don’t Think so – It’s one thing to be arrogant. It’s another thing to be arrogant to a fault. Last year, in certain instances, the LSU Tigers were arrogant to a fault, thinking that their talented corners, Corey Webster and Travis Daniels could live out on an island and man cover for 60% or more against anyone that they played. The one game that stands out is the Georgia game last season, when the Dawgs talented receivers had one heck of a game, facing man coverage. That was last year, so what? Well, with Bo Pelini calling defenses this year, it’ll be interesting to see how aggressive he’ll attempt to be with two relatively inexperienced corners on the edge. Making this even more interesting is the fact that they’ll have to face Derek Hagan, a pre-season All-American. Hagan has the full package and isn’t a good matchup for any of the Tiger DBs. Playing man might not be the most advantageous situation for LSU, but how does that fit with what Pelini wants to do on defense this year? If he plays man, he has to allow for help over the top from his safeties LaRon Landry or Jesse Daniels. If he plays man with no help, ouch, it could spell trouble with a capital T. b. 3 on 2, advantage Wroten/Williams – Normally, playing 3 on 2 in any game, contest or matchup definitely should favor the three not the two. But, when those two are two of the best defensive tackles in the nation, Claude Wroten and Kyle Williams, this adage isn’t necessarily gospel. As an offensive coordinator, you’d love to be able to double team both of them and take your chances with that the linebackers are going to miss tackles, but you can’t, really. So, what ends up happening is that you can double one of them (C and G), but the other is playing man-on-man, which isn’t a fair fight really. Hence, the three on two concept – G, C and G against DT and DT. If the Sun Devils want to run the ball in the middle, depending on how quick Rudy Burgess and Keegan Herring hit the A gaps hard, they might be able to find some small holes if the double team can get some movement on one of the DT. However, running the ball on the perimeter could be very difficult with the quickness of Wroten/Williams to beat the guard trying to reach him on an outside zone play. Either way, the Sun Devils have their hands full with the middle of the LSU line, even though they get to play 3 on 2. c. No more QB Musical Chairs – When the music stops this year, is JaMarcus Russell going to be the one left sitting or starting? Is Ryan Perrilloux going to see the field and win the Heisman, as he proclaimed a few months ago? Or, is Matt Flynn the wild card who presents offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher with the best option at QB? Wow, if you could figure all of that out before the season, you’d be a savant. It’s hard to believe that Russell won’t be standing tall as the season progresses. If he can stay healthy, he can fire the football and understands the offense more than he did last season. With the weapons at wide receiver and the glut of running backs, even without Alley Broussard, the Tigers seem to need a controlled gunslinger as opposed to a dual threat guy. Russell is that guy, and he gets a solid first test against a Sun Devil secondary that has some experience at key spots, including returning starter CB Josh Golden. If Fisher can build Russell’s confidence with short quick throws to Skyler Green in the slot and let him do the work early on, it’ll open downfield areas all night long. Conclusion – With everything seemingly working against LSU, now comes word that the game will be moved to Tempe on Saturday. Maybe that works in LSU’s favor by getting out of the tragedy stricken state, maybe they’ll just go through the motions. Who knows? The thought is that 60 minutes of banging headgears with a different colored jersey might be the best therapy the Tigers could have. Sam Keller didn’t have to do much against Temple, allowing his flyboy RB the opportunity to get some love, but LSU will put him to the test. He’ll be under duress all night long, and that could lead to some turnovers that LSU must take use to their advantage. Keep an eye on Joseph Addai and his leadership throughout this game and how that filters through to the rest of his teammates. LSU – 24 vs. Arizona State - 23
Re: CFN Keys to ASU-LSU game I don't think he did quite enough research on our corners & Pellini's defensive style. Pellini has said that he won't blitz as often & doesn't want to leave the CB's on an island too much. Our corners may have relatively little experience, but their teacher was the nation's best - Saban. Our CBs will get the job done, but ASU's WR's will be a great test for them & they had better have all the kinks out already.
Re: CFN Keys to ASU-LSU game The thing that scared me the most is some big plays we gave up the middle on a pass to the rb or fb coming out of the backfield during NS's era. We should watch out for that this weekend as well. I can't wait for the game!
Re: CFN Keys to ASU-LSU game I like his thoughts on building JaMarcus's confidence by throwing some short passes to Skyler in the slot early in the game. I'm willing to bet that Jimbo has thought of this & has a plan to start Russell off slow, but more so to find his rhythm than to build his confidence. I also think it will be important for us to establish the run early. By dominating the Oline & establishing the run, we can easily control this game. IMO, I don't think this John Harris guy emphasized this enough. ASU got one sack against lowly Temple. Our Oline will crush ASU, making the running game a breeze & passing game that much more fluid. ASU has a good offense, but I don't see any reason that offensively, we can't hang with them, not to mention.... Our other advantage, that I think he does a good job of mentioning, is our Dline. ASU won't be able to run the ball on us & that will give us a better ability to stop their passing game. With our strong Dline, Pellini can use schemes that will allow us to get alot of interceptions off of a pressured ASU QB.
Re: CFN Keys to ASU-LSU game http://collegefootballnews.com/sec/2005_Predictions/Sept10_2.htm SEC fearless Predictions:
Re: CFN Keys to ASU-LSU game Add the loss of ASU's backup or #2 tailback Randy Hill per link below. The starter, Rudy Burgess, won't last the whole game. They'll have to sub or even use two backs for blocking. The backup will be a true freshman in his first "tough game". That equals fumble in my book. http://www.azcentral.com/sports/asu/articles/0907devilsnotes0907.html
Re: CFN Keys to ASU-LSU game look at what ASu did vs usc and cal. 2 pretty good D's in 04 NOT MUCH both on the road..... just a thought
One thing's for sure about LSU. They won't get their ass handed to them like Iowa did last year 44-7 at Sundevil Stadium.
