The B12 (XII) Forum, home of the 'Front Porch, y'all' at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

Man I sure wish MDT would swing by and mix it up with us.

Should be a lot of fun.  It's gonna be hot in Austin, over 100 during the day, thankfully this is a night game.

yep it will only be 95 at kickoff

Im surprised we havent heard from Mike

I think this would be a huge win for Texas, but only a modest win for LSU, the thinking being that Texas is viewed as being back- maybe, and LSU has been around near the top of the SEC-W for years now.  An LSU loss would solidify Texas as being back while an LSU would not mean all that much for LSU, and a close lose for Texas would not damage their image that much.

The game could be like the Oregon-Auburn game, and not really say that much about either except that Texas is "pretty much back".  A blow out either way would of course alter perceptions, but I don't expect that.

I of course have no clue who will win, or who is favored, I have a vague notion LSU sneaks out with a close W, like 27-24.

Both Texas and LSU (in post 2000 memory) can be viewed as 2nd banana teams. They've had really strong periods, and even won meaningful hardware, but have largely been in the shadow of another program nearby.

Texas has had the more precipitous drop. Rather than falling behind one main rival, it fell off its perch to struggle with less historically strong programs. The Longhorns have worked hard and done the right things. Improvement can be seen on the field and in the record book. After UGA, Texas asserted that it was "back". Being "back" can only be borne out over time. This game is an opportunity to solidify "back".

That's the ethereal part. The nuts and bolts of the current situation, as I see it, are thus:

1) The Texas offense against the LSU defense. The Tiger defense is for real! They have playmakers at every position. Whatever the Texas offense thinks they've achieved in the offseason vis a vis OL play and more fully developed receivers will need to prove itself Saturday. Even typing the words "ball security" seems like a betrayal of Sam's mindset, but it sums up a lot. Yards and points will be earned. We'll see if the improvement is real.

2) The LSU offense against the Texas defense. In years' past, I wouldn't expect the Tigers to generate much. They typically had no real identity, and just generally defaulted to a state of running straight ahead for a while. That works when your opponent is out-athleted, but not when the talent is equal. This year, though, LSU thinks they've become a "spread" team. In the SEC, this will serve them well, ultimately. In this game, though, it can only hurt.

LSU is learning how to play a style of offense that Texas has had to defend every week in conference play for the last 10 years. They've devoted their recruiting and development efforts to stopping the best spread teams in college football. Perhaps the Tigers will succeed despite this. Playing Todd Orlando's defense in Austin, TX is no place to be learning the spread offense, though.

Also, during warmups and the 1st quarter, it should be around 120 degrees on the visitor sideline. The Texas sideline should only be a shade cooled 105.

My seats this week are in the NEZ, should be completely shaded by kickoff.  Giddyup!

For the Texas offense vs. LSU defense, I think Sam is the difference maker.  He's a leader and a badass and a game changer, with his arm or his feet.  It feels good to finally have a QB that not only is NOT a liability, but is actually an asset.  We honestly haven't seen that since Colt McCoy left, aside from a handful of games where David Ash was healthy and experienced.

For the LSU offense vs. the Texas defense, I couldn't agree more with droog.  Texas faces the best spread offenses with the best spread offense personnel in college football on a weekly basis.  I do believe that "new" LSU offense is likely to serve them well in the SEC.  But I think it's going to be a liability for them on Saturday against Texas.

People look at teams that have been winning consistently differently than those who have not been, but suddenly had a good year.  That good year has an asterisk attached.

LSU has been doing pretty well year after year after year.  Texas* has not.  For Texas*, it just means more.

If you dont think it means a whole lot to LSU fans just see what happens should the Horns win

Id be willing to bet there would be talk of firing their HC

Sure there would, but should there be?  Firing their coach for losing to a top 10 blueblood?

That would be pure SEC arrogance right there.

Yeah, I’m not buying that a LSU win wouldn’t mean all that much.  It’s still Texas and they are coming off a top 10 season and currently ranked top 10.

The last few years LSU has been good, but not great.  I think LSU is trying to prove they belong in the NC discussion again along with UGA and Bama.  A big road win on national television would help solidify that.

Exactly.  Like I said, and no offense intended, but I think CD is coming at it from an SEC-centric perspective.

Nationally, there aren't any more people saying LSU is a national championship type team, than there are people saying the same thing about Texas.  It's roughly zero people for either team.

LSU has been better than Texas over the past 5 years, no doubt about it.  But the records below certainly aren't awe-inspiring, nor are they representative of a team that's always just on the cusp of making it to the elite level.
 
2014: 8-5
2015: 9-3
2016: 8-4
2017: 9-4
2018: 10-3

LSU is basically in the same boat as Texas.  Recent recruiting success combined with a coaching change is raising expectations, and this is what's driving a lot of hype.  For BOTH teams.  And a win on Saturday would be a very big deal for EITHER team.  JMO of course.

Anyway, Saturday should be a very evenly matched contest.  I won't be surprised with a win by either team.  Like CD, I would be surprised at a blowout in either direction.