College Football
Preview to the Preview
How does this happen? The #8 LSU Tigers (9-2, 5-2) are underdogs to the unranked Texas A&M Aggies. A&M, now 0-7 since 2011 against the Tigers, are favored by nearly a field goal. But why? It can’t be because they are playing at home at Kyle Field, can it? Wait. Maybe it’s because the Aggies have the number two rush defense. No that can’t be it, can it? Wait. Could it be because A&M has a better quarterback? Nope not that because they don’t? Wait. Is it because they have a better coach? Nope, don’t think so. There has to be a reason but who knows what those Vegas bookies are thinking. Here’s the real deal.
Kellen Mond v Joe Burrow
Kellen Mond has had his moments in 2018. He was sacked 32 times, he still has a near 60 percent completion rate. He averages over 250 yards a game with a 7.8 yards per pass average. He has maintained a 2:1 TD to interception ration. The knock on Mond is that he hasn’t really made the play when it counted most. Remember the loss to Clemson? He came close throwing for 430 yards and three scores but when his team needed the two point play at the end. Well, it just didn’t happen. Against Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State, he also was not the difference maker which is a big reason why A&M is 7-4 overall and 4-3 in the SEC.
This was to have been another LSU year without a worthy signal caller but then along came Joe Burrow. The former Ohio State back-up has done nothing but prove the naysayers wrong for most of the season. Burrow wasn’t even expected to be the starter but then came a couple of ego driven departures and Burrow proved what those at Ohio State knew. He is an exceptional decision maker. He can deliver throws with pinpoint accuracy. He is cool under pressure and seldom makes a mistake. He is a quarterback who can lead his team through valley of football giants and tumble them one by one. Just ask Miami, Auburn, Georgia etc. Only Alabama could slow him down.
Burrow is the real deal, Mond is not.
Aggie D v LSU D
Every football game is won in the trenches on one side of the ball or the other. Either the offensive line opening holes for the runners to do their thing or protecting the quarterback so he can do his or the defensive line is living in the opposition’s backfield. On Saturday night, it could be a bit of both for each side and may come down to which defense makes the biggest play at the most opportune moment.
Texas A&M is stout when it comes to stopping the run. The Aggies allow just under 83 rushing yards per game and have given up just 10 rushing touchdowns all season. LSU running back Nick Brosette has 13 rushing touchdowns as he steps on the pitch at Kyle Field.
Outside of the run defense, Texas A&M is in trouble. They rank 125th out of 129 teams when it comes to takeaways. That’s not good. Burrow and the Tigers have protected the ball well this season.
The LSU defense is the real deal. Not only are the Tigers third in the SEC in scoring defense but they are 11th overall nationally. It’s no wonder that defensive coordinator Dave Aranda is once again a semifinalist for Top Assistant of the Year. Aranda’s defenses have been in the top 15 every year since 2012. A&M even tried to hire him away from LSU. First the defense lost star linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson for the year now gone is their defensive end Breiden Fehoko and yet the next man steps up. This defense is the real deal.
Jimbo Fisher or Ed Ogeron
Fisher came with a lot of hype in the off-season to A&M. Although Fisher has nearly won as many games as former coach Kevin Sumlin did before his ousting, fans are still waiting for that statement game. Te game that says A&M is back. Fisher is supposed to be a quarterback guru yet Mond has not been anything special in 2018. His offenses were supposed to be predicated on the run and yet that really hasn’t materialized either.
Ed Orgeron was on the hot seat since before the season began. He was expected to be fired within the first month of the season. Yet, here he is 11 games later with a team that gets little respect from anyone event he oddsmakers. He has quarterback in Burrow who is underrated and underappreciated everywhere but in Baton Rouge. He has the team on the verge of a 10 win season something the Tigers have not done since 2013. He has won 25 games of 34 games including bowl games since taking over for Les Miles. His offensive line is a patchwork as are key components of his defense. His coaching is the real deal.
The Final Whistle
This is a must win statement game for the Aggies. Texas A&M has little chance at a major bowl without an upset win in a dominating fashion. LSU with a win has a 10 win regular season and a legitimate spot in a major bowl come New Year’s. This is a team that has achieved where all others expected them to fail. They beat Miami (neutral site), Auburn (in Auburn), and at home against Georgia. They nearly took down for Florida in “The Swamp” for the second year in a row. They have a quarterback not gaudy but efficient. Anything less then a win on Saturday is a monumental disappointment. LSU proves they are the real deal wining 28-20.
Picture Credit: Tammy Anthony Baker via Flickr
