The LSU Tigers were embarrassed by Mississippi State this past weekend. The reality of losing was bad enough, but the way LSU lost cut much more deeply and stung the program. Head coach Ed Orgeron is figuring out his next move, and his players have to choose whether to be resolute or resigned to their fate. Which way will LSU go? That’s the big question people concerned about LSU football are asking this week.
Details
Odds: Tigers -23.5
Date & Time: Saturday September 23, 7 PM ET
Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
Broadcast: ESPN2
Reasons To Bet On The Syracuse Orange
The reasons to bet on Syracuse all fall outside of Syracuse’s actual quality as a team. This is all about LSU’s weaknesses, which seem to be numerous on both sides of the ball. LSU showed a lot of carelessness on defense, committing multiple personal fouls with blows to the helmet of Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. The Tigers were drawn out of position on a lot of misdirection plays and play fakes used by the Mississippi State coaching staff. The defense was supposed to be the strength of the team, but giving up 37 points doesn’t begin to show that reality. If the strength of the team is a weakness, surely Syracuse – with a spread passing game operated by a veteran quarterback, Eric Dungey – has at least a chance of scoring several touchdowns.
Then consider the LSU offense. Quarterback Danny Etling found a good rhythm in a game against Chattanooga. That was certainly good instead of bad, but it was Chattanooga, a lower division team and nothing like the caliber of competition LSU faces in the SEC. Against Mississippi State, Etling was unable to perform anywhere close to the same level. This is simply an offense with mismatched parts, chiefly a quarterback who does not appear to be ready for prime time.
Reasons To Bet On The LSU Tigers
The case for Syracuse revolves around LSU’s weaknesses, so it only makes sense that the case for LSU revolves around Syracuse’s weaknesses. The Orange have not made the significant progress a lot of people were hoping for under head coach Dino Babers. When Babers took the Syracuse job after the 2015 season, he came to upstate New York with a reputation for fixing programs in two seasons. He did this in the FCS, he did this at Bowling Green in the lower portion of the FBS, and now he was given a chance to improve an ACC program among the Power Five conferences. This is the second season for Babers at Syracuse, but the Orange seem to be as mediocre as they were last season. A home-field loss to Middle Tennessee State – a team which has been pounded by Vanderbilt and Minnesota – suggests a noticeable lack of progress. The offense is supposed to be a point-a-minute attack with great precision and energy, but Dungey has not established a strong rapport with his receivers. Offseason work has not created a team which is faster or better able to make adjustments. Syracuse does not appear to be ready to challenge the strength or speed of LSU on the road.
Outlook
What is one to do with the LSU Tigers? A win last week – as was expected by the odds makers – would have left this program on track as trending (slightly) in the right direction. Instead, this team got stomped, struggled to pass the ball and now there are questions as to if anything has changed under ‘Coach O’ compared to where they were with Les Miles. Last week’s loss has taken the wind out of their sails and any type of struggle this week will put Orgeron on the hot seat.
The humiliation LSU experienced last week should inspire the Tigers to play hard. If they do, Syracuse is wallowing in mediocrity and simply not prepared for what is coming their way. Trust LSU to play well and win this game in a blowout.
Prediction: Tigers -23.5
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