| 01 September 2009
LSU Tigers at Washington Huskies
College Football: Saturday September 5, 2009, 10:30 PM EST (ESPN)
The Line: Washington +17 1/2
While this game looks like a mismatch on paper that can easily become a mismatch on the field, this game also seems just eerily similar LSU's opener two years ago when they were expected to win, and eventually won the SEC and the National Championship. Two years ago the Tigers were opening in Starksville against a Mississippi State team who was looking to rebound from and awful season but had reason for hope. The game was closer than many including myself thought it would be but LSU eventually walked away with a cover of a 14 point spread.
I see some similarities in this Washington team to that MSU team but I see this as a road trip into hostile territory and an area of the country where the SEC hasn't experienced a ton of success. I also see this as a game against a team who didn't win a game last season and who has a new head coach. While the Huskies are down, it isn't something they are all that used to in Washington.
LSU returns a ton of talent and os one of the favorites to win the SEC and the National Title. Of course there is a long way to go between now and the end of the season, Les Miles Tigers need to start somewhere and Seattle is the somewhere for them this year.
LSU added to it's already stacked team with just another stellar recruiting class that many ranked as the top in the country. They have players who can play right away and several others who could have played right away for just about any other team in the country.
The Tigers return running back Charles Scott who is just one of those players who it seems like has been on the team for a very long time. On defense, Al Woods can be the next great one at LSU if he applies himself. More questions abound as to whether LSU can beat Alabama and Ole Miss than any particular question about the team and talent level, this team is absolutely loaded.
Washington looks to gain it's footing after a rough slide that ended with last season's 0-12 effort. It was that record along with a few of the previous seasons which led to Ty Willingham's ousting at Head Coach and the hiring of former USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.
Sarkisian brings a fresh outlook and fresh ideas to a program that was getting stale in a conference that is bursting with emerging teams and stars. The Husky faithful can only hope Sarkisian brings some of the star typr players he had at USC.
The new coach gets some help with the return of starting QB Jake Locker who was injured last season. Locker isn't just the QB , he's the Huskies best player. Locker is also a tough as nails "gamer" type who can make a difference.
I'm not expecting instant results in Washington but I am looking for major improvement as the still have pretty good talent. While it may not be enough talent to beat all of the good teams, they may surprise a few people.
While the Huskies have been bad both straight up and against the spread the past few years, LSU isn't much better when it comes to covering the number. LSU is 1-6 against the spread in their last seven overall and 0-6 against the spread in their last six when favored by double digits.
This may not be the smartest pick I ever make but I guess by Sunday morning we'll know if it's the dumbest but I am going to take the home team and the points in a game between two horrible cover teams.
Mitch's Pick: Washington +17 1/2 (3 1/2 out of 10 confidence rating)
Be Sure to sign up for our FREE WEEKLY FOOTBALL PICKING CONTEST WITH CASH PRIZES
written by jeff, September 02, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by Mitch, September 02, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites
.gif&AffUrlID=768)
