LSU is a 15-point favorite going into its matchup with the Arizona Wildcats this weekend, but the Tigers’ defense, which hasn’t allowed a touchdown in 10 quarters, will be tested by Arizona’s passing attack. Despite losing five defensive starters, the LSU Tigers will once again be one of the best defensive football teams in the SEC and should even rank high nationally. Last season, the Tigers were third in the country in total defense and points allowed.
Arizona didn’t show much in its first game against BYU, totaling just 253 yards, but you can expect the Wildcats to open their playbook in this one against the Tigers in eighth place. You should expect a better performance from quarterback Willie Tuitama. He was just 19-39 in Game 1, but this tells us we know Arizona is going to air it out, putting pressure on the Tigers at every down. However, Arizona’s lack of running game could hurt their chances in this one.
JaMarcus Russell came out strong last week for the Tigers completing 13 of 17 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns. Russell is a proven winner and with last Saturday’s win, he improved to 15-2 as a starter for the Tigers. I hope Russell makes a difference today. Stoops will send blitzers from all angles to try to keep LSU’s offense off the beat, but Russell’s ability to get away will allow the Tigers to keep moving the ball down the field.
Ultimately, even though only nine starters came back, the Tigers are very talented and I’m giving them home court advantage today. Arizona’s offense may be sharper this week, but LSU’s defense is in a whole different class than BYU, which gave the ‘Cats some trouble a week ago. I hope LSU’s 10-quarter streak of not allowing a touchdown ends, but I don’t think they’ll allow more than one. I have a slight bias towards the Tigers at home. If I wanted to buy this line to less than two touchdowns, I’d make this a stronger play. I’m not going to mess with that as there are better plays out there. But my support is in the Tigers.