this is the toughest team LSU has faced this season, and... that's saying something as they've played the longhorns, auburn, georgia, bama, florida... et al. still, this is the toughest team yet.
clemson is a good team- but they aren't the best. tOSU was the best- and i ain't placating audience by saying that either. it is/was between LSU and tOSU in my opinion... then tOSU soils the sheets by marching into the redzone and settling for FG's- else that game wouldn't have been close (i've watched it three times, now- including this afternoon) and questionable calls wouldn't be something we'd be worried about.
LSU has enjoyed drawing people into 'their' game... which, if anyone has ever listened to me and if i ain't FoS, THAT is the mark of a champion... make them play 'your' game and by taking them out of their own (outside their 'comfort zone').
problem: Clemson is actually capable of playing D (regardless of what happened with tOSU)- and.... they may be able to confound LSU.
I think this game plays out like the LSU/Vandy game this season more than the LSU/Auburn game. they're gonna have to step up tempo and run with Clemson, outscoring them (ala the vandy game) and making Clemson go for the big gains (which seems to be something easily achieved with Dabo- luring him into that trap.... if Vennable (sp?) "holds the line", LSU loses in a game more like the Auburn game.
Clemson needs to pressure the LSU backfield with reckless abandon early- play man-to-man with safety covering/doubling down on the 50/50 receiver- hoping pressure can bust up Burrow before he checks down to the 'free' receiver. If they can do that early, i really think they can shake Burrow up into second guessing himself. problem: nobody else has been able to do that to Burrow, and... those LSU lineman are the real deal... and... the LSU receiver corps are freaks- dragging defenders for half a set of downs on average AFTER first contact.
so... it SHOULD be LSU- big... like, 42~55 to Clemson's 21~28..... should be.... ought to be...... but.....
I got a funny feeling that reminds me of a Bama meeting against Texas and a certain Colt getting bounced HARD early and not returning... and that pony reminds me more of Burrow (a donkey?) more than Sunshine QB'ing Clemson (sorry, that is exactly what he looks like- from "remember the titans").
without that 'home alone' kid behind center for LSU.......... ouch. it'll be Clemson BIG... and...
if i had the money and motivation to drop it on yellow or orange- it would be.... orange... 'klempson' pulls out a TIGHT win... perhaps even OT.
