Vanderbilt at LSU Odds
Written by Jordan Haimowitz - Google +
The Commodores are coming off a 45-0 slashing of Western Carolina as the week one annual cupcake opponent. Vandy totaled 620 yards of offense with an unheard of 433 of those yards coming on the ground. The pair of fabulous freshman running backs they have in Zac Stacy and Warren Norman combined for 238 rushing yards and 3 TDs. Senior quarterback Mackenzie Adams is the leader of this team but has some competition in Larry Smith as the backup who has looked impressive. The question mark this team has, which will be a big issue if they run into a stacked front line (as they do tonight), is whether or not they can beat a team consistently through the air. They return not one starting wide receiver from the 2008 season. Now, the advantage that Vanderbilt will always posses is that they return every one of their starting lineman which is crucial when facing a team that likes to send pressure. With the solid running attack they have, it will be the defense that shines if they plan on causing havoc in the SEC. With nine starters returning, seniors Broderick Stewart (DE), Steven Stone (DE) and Greg Billinger (DT) that make up a stout front line along with all other players being starters from last year on that line. This team certainly knows how to shut down a good running attack. Cornerback Myron Lewis and strong safety Ryan Hamilton (NFL prospect) are both seniors who plan on carrying this secondary in 2009. If the Commodores plan on pulling off a giant upset here it will be by them running the ball effectively and on the other side stopping the run. Today’s X-factor, the entire Vanderbilt front line who is senior and junior loaded with experience, size and talent. According to the latest lines, the LSU Tigers are 14.5 point favorites against Vanderbilt with a total set for 45 points.
LSU was extremely unimpressive in their opening day win at Washington last weekend when they defeated the Huskies 31-23 in a game where Washington out-gained them in yards 478 to LSU’s 321. The Tigers starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson went 11/19 for 172 yards and 3 TDs. Starting running back Charles Scott rushed for 52 yards on 11 carries. It was #1 receiver Terrance Toliver though who stole the show catching four passes for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns in which every single pass was enormous in how this game turned out. Now, on paper, the offense wasn’t great but it certainly didn’t throw in a clunker. The LSU defense took care of that job very well. What an awful performance that was as the Tigers secondary, led by senior cornerback Chris Hawking got torched by Washington QB Jake Locker and the front line was not much better as the Huskies racked up 157 rushing yards. This is for sure, if the Tigers do not defend better this week against a very game Vanderbilt team, then they very well might end up on the short end of the stick tonight. The x-factor for the home team today is running back Charles Scott who is very highly thought of as a big NFL prospect. Look for him to have a 100+ yard game with 2+ touchdowns IF Louisiana State is going to cover this big spread.
Haimo’s Hot Notes: Vanderbilt is 7-2 in their last nine games ATS vs. a team with a winning record. The Under is 13-3-1 in the Commodores last 17 conference games. The Under is also 18-6-1 in Vandy’s last 25 games overall. The LSU Tigers are 1-7 in their last eight games ATS overall. The Tigers are currently ranked 11th in the AP poll and 9th in the Coaches poll which to me is comical. They have one wide receiver, a starting QB with no experience and a defense that is not your everyday Tigers unit. Picks below, enjoy.
Jordan’s Picks: Vanderbilt +14.5 & Under 45
One Response to “Vanderbilt at LSU Odds”
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LSU’s secondary was torched by Jake Locker? Did you actually watch the game? While LSU gave up far too many yards for a defense that expected to show improvement, Locker’s passes for the most part were less that 15 yards and yards after catch were minimal. Every long pass except 1 completion were cover pretty well my a secondary that will prove to be among the best in the SEC before the year is out.
The defense played far better in the second half—this is one you will lose—these teams aren’t that close.