Idaho Vandals (0-2 SU, 1-1 ATS) vs. No. 3 LSU Tigers (2-0 SU, 1-1 ATS)
College Football Week 3
Date/Time: Saturday September 15th, 2012. 8:00PM Eastern
Where:Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, L.A.
TV:ESPN3
by Jay, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: ID +41/LSU -41
Over/Under Total: OFF
The no. 3 LSU Tigers put together a dominating performance last week by stomping the Washington Huskies 41-3. It was just the type of performance to keep LSU’s name in the thick of the early season National Championship discussion. Once again the Tigers’ defense dominated from start to finish by holding Washington’s offense to just 183 total yards. With each passing week, it appears LSU and Alabama could be on another collision course with National Championship implication possibly on the line when the two teams meet in early November.
This week the Tigers host the Idaho Vandals into Baton
Rouge for a Saturday night affair. For LSU it will be their 3rd straight
game against non-conference opponents in 2012 and they look to break an
FBS record with their 40th straight win over non-conference foes. Not only
would the win mark the 40th straight non-conference victory, but a win would
also make it 19 in a row for the Tigers at home in Baton Rouge. Needless
to say, the omen is not good for a winless Idaho squad that is trying to
pull off what would be their biggest upset in school history.
So far this season, the Vandals have dropped their opening two games to the likes of Eastern Washington and Bowling Green. Equaling embarrassing is the fact that the Vandals have scored just 16 points combined in those two games. Not a good sign for a team that is about embark in a 60 minute battle against quite possibly the best defense in America. After a terrible performance by Idaho QB Logan Bushnell in the opener, the Vandals appear to have found their guy with junior Dominique Blackman. Last week Blackman completed 30 of 37 passing for 352 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 pick against Bowling Green. Blackman definitely put the offense in the right direction and he will be the starter going forward. If Idaho can find some type of way to block that tenacious LSU defensive front, just maybe Blackman can make some throws and put the Vandals on the scoreboard.
Notice I did not mention anything about the Vandals having a chance to win the game because frankly they have no chance. I know it’s football and anything can happen but give me a break. However, if the Vandals can score just a few points they may be able to cover the enormous 41 point spread. LSU has scored 41 points exactly in each of their first two games. Therefore any scores that the Vandals are able to produce, will be extremely valuable against such a large point spread.
LSU has clearly maintained a power rushing attack over the last several seasons and they will pound the football right at the heart of opposing defenses. More importantly they will do so successfully behind one of the better offensive lines in the SEC. Running backs Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard have combined for more than 400 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns through the opening two games. LSU has yet to play a defense that can slow down their rushing attack and they will continue to run the ball until proven otherwise.
However, QB Zach Mettenberger has been pretty solid throwing the football during the opening two weeks of the season. Despite limited attempts, Mettenberger has completed 31 of 44 passing for 387 yards with 2 scores and 1 pick. Still, those numbers are much better than what Tigers’ fans have been accustomed to from the starting quarterbacks over the last few years. Not to mention if Mettenberger continues to progress over the next few weeks, this offense could really take off.
Jay’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread:These heavily favored games are always hard to handicap because you just don’t know how long LSU will keep their foot on the gas pedal. With that being said, it would not surprise me to see a score similar to the North Texas game in the 41-14 range. I think Idaho will be able to muster just enough points to make the cover. Take Idaho +41.
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