Former University of Florida head coach Steve Spurrier once famously said “You can’t spell Citrus without ‘U’ and ‘T’ and yet the Tennessee Volunteers are nowhere near this year’s Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl. Instead No. 20-ranked Louisiana State University (7-4) will take on No. 13 Louisville (9-3) at Camping World Stadium in perfectly adequate Orlando, Fla on Dec. 31. Kick off is set for 11 a.m.
The Game: No. 20 LSU vs No. 13 Louisville (+3.5, 59.5 O/U)
No. 20 LSU Tigers (9-3)
Former interim head coach Ed Orgeron kept his team together after Les Miles was fired in the middle of the season and just a couple of weeks ago found out he gets to keep his job full time. Orgeron brings his Tigers into Bowl season on a 2-2 finish to the regular season, with an epic 10-0 loss to Alabama only ruined by a pathetic 16-10 loss to Florida. They did finish up the season with a 54-39 beat-down on Texas A&M.
I like to talk about NFL prospects when I put these previews together and LSU is loaded with them. Their top prospect, running back Leonard Fournette, isn’t going to be one of them. He’s hung up his college cleats early and focusing on the NFL draft. If you’re wondering why the Tigers aren’t freaking out over this it’s because Fournette’s “back up” is pretty decent. Derrius Guice led LSU this season with 1,249 yards rushing, averaged eight yards a carry and scored 14 touchdowns. They’ll be alright.
All the other big-time prospects are playing, led by wide receiver Travin Dural, Sr. Dural only came back for his senior season because he tore his hamstring at the end of last year. At 6-foot-2, 207 pounds he’s probably the next big LSU to NFL wideout that no one knew would be so good because LSU’s offense is so shitty. Malachi Dupree at 6-foot-4 and 195 is in the same boat as Dural, an elite pro-style wideout hampered by a horrible college offensive plan. Neither guy put up decent stats this season, yet both are slotted to be drafted anywhere from the second to the fifth rounds. The easiest call as a pro prospect is center Ethan Pocic, Sr., who should be a first round pick.
On defense, the Tigers are loaded all the way through. LSU held opponents to just 16.4 points this season, forced 16 turnovers, recorded 67 tackles in the backfield and 28 sacks.
LSU’s entire defensive line is NFL caliber. Chirstian LaCouture Sr., Davon Godchaux, Jr. and Lewis Neal Sr. are all going to be playing on Sundays, but LaCouture won’t be playing Saturday. He’s listed as doubtful. It gets no easier when you get to the linebacker level with both Tashan Bower and Kendell Beckwith on draft boards, but Beckwith is doubtful too. In the defensive backfield, future NFL players Jamal Adams Jr. is healthy and headed for the NFL and, bad news for Louisville, Tre’Davious White is not only playing on an NFL team next year, he’ll be playing in the Citrus Bowl and his listed as probable.
No. 13 Louisville Cardinals (7-4)
There’s only one name you need to know when it comes to Louisville’s offense and that’s Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. The sophomore quarterback did it all for the Cardinals this season, completing 57.6 percent of his passes for 3,390 yards and 30 touchdowns with nine interceptions while rushing for 1,538 yards and 21 touchdowns, averaging 6.6 yards per carry.
Jackson didn’t have a favorite receiver in his Heisman campaign. Instead, he spread the ball around to four different guys, all recording more than 590 yards receiving (James Quick, Cole Kikutini, Jaylen Smith and Jamari Staples). Quick, at 6-f00t-1, 191 pounds projects as a third or fourth round NFL pick. Staples could play on at the next level too, but might not play in the Citrus Bowl. He’s questionable. Hikutini, at tight end, is currently projected as a fourth rounder.
The Cardinals have some solid NFL prospects on the defensive side of the ball, especially in the front seven. Defensive lineman Deangelo Brown in on a lot of draft boards along with two linebackers, Keith Kelsey and Devnote Fields. Both should be day two picks.
Trends and Notes
The Citrus Bowl was originally called the Tangerine Bowl from 1947-1982.
The first team with black players allowed to play in the Citrus (then Tangerine) Bowl was the 1966 Morgan State Bears. Before that year the Bowl was segregated. Morgan State beat West Chester State in the game.
Because it was segregated, the 1958 Buffalo Bulls refused to play in it because their two black players were prohibited from joining the team. The University of Buffalo would not make another bowl game until 2008.
The Pick
This is a tough one. Jackson is the most dynamic athlete in the game right now, but LSU is fielding a minor league NFL roster. I’m going for the low-scoring upset, Louisville 27, LSU 24
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