I think this game comes down to QB play. If Marcus Randall shows up and plays well - we can win pretty convincingly. If Marcus has one of his melt downs or throws some interceptions we could be in trouble. Perhaps this time before the bowl will be enough for the coaches to get Jamarcus's mentality where it needs to be - we all know it isn't a lack of physical ability. I have confidence that this will be a tremendous growth period between now and the bowl game where Jamarcus has time to sit back, analyze what he's doing wrong and step his game up. I expect Marcus to start (for obvious reasons) but don't see Jamarcus playing unless we start winning by a lot because they don't want to risk pulling Marcus and Jamarcus not being able to compete when he gets in there. A big bowl game in Orlando against a very good Hawkeyes team with a pretty good defense worries me if neither QB performs well. It's hard to worry to much about our running game. It's always possible that they won't perform as well as they could, but with as talented of a back field as we have (let's not forget Justin Vincet, just wait he'll be back) - they will be forced to respect the run regardless. How has the Hawkeye's current head coach performed in bowls in his career? From what i've read, Saban has tremendous respect for him and he is a great coach. It should be a very good strategic game with two of the greats battling it out.
I just have to clear one thing up. LSU didn't get screwed last year. We have our trophy. It was USC claiming that they got screwed with the "BCS mess".
ferentz in bowls is 2-1. beat UF last year. lost 2003 orange to usc. beat Texas Tech in 2001 Alamo. His teams have traditionally improved each year down the stretch as yours have also.
We wont be turning the ball over. the reason we had turnovers this year was mainly because of the QB throwin INT's. if Saban starts the correct QB and keeps him in, and I believe he will, you will get ZERO points on turnovers.
you cannot predict turnovers in any game, much less college football. If a coach had that secret formula it would be a first, on any level.
I'm looking deep into the future for this one. picked up a copy of the advocate yesterday dated Jan. 2nd, 2005 :shock: said Tigers win big, zero turnovers. :thumb:
Admittedly I haven't watched many LSU games this year, I'm just looking at stats. So that can be misleading. But you only had 9 INTs, and 6 of those were in 2 games (FLA and Troy). However, 15 fumbles lost is a lot. I don't know if it was your QB getting hit or RBs losing it or what. Iowa's defense is very opportunistic. On our last 5 games, we have 12 picks and 8 fumble recoveries. I'm just saying based on the number of TOs you guys have had this season, and based on our defense being like it is, I think we'll get a couple. If we do, will it be enough to give us a win? I don't know, but it definitely won't hurt.