Who Let the Dogs Out?

Week 11: November 10, 2007
(2) LSU vs. LA Tech
Death Valley, Baton Rouge
Tigervision 7pm

This report will be very short and sweet because I’ve been very busy and I have to go to a wedding in a few hours.

Point Spread:
LSU (-36)

Know Thy Foe:
Head Coach: Derek Dooley

LA Tech has a loosing record to this point in the year. They have won their last 2 games but they just don’t have the players to compete with the big teams. They are in the WAC Conference which is kinda weird. I’d like to see them join Conference USA or the Sun Belt. Their closest conference rival is way out west. Their first year head coach, Derek Dooley, was an assistant at LSU under Saban. His dad, Vince, is also a coaching legend at Georgia. LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton coached at LA Tech in the late 90’s when Tim Rattay and Troy Edwards were putting up sick numbers. Offensive lineman Lyll Hitt has a brother that plays for Tech and Tyson Jackson’s cousin plays for Tech. The last time LSU played Tech was in 2003 when LSU won 49-10 on their way to a national title.

Week 1: Defeated Central Arkansas, 28-7
Week 2: Lost to Hawaii, 45-44
Week 3: Lost to California, 42-12
Week 4: OFF
Week 5: Lost to Fresno St., 17-6
Week 6: Lost to Ole Miss, 24-0
Week 7: Defeated N Mexico St., 22-21
Week 8: Lost to Boise St., 45-31
Week 9: Defeated Utah State, 31-21
Week 10: Defeated Idaho, 28-16

LSU Offense vs. LA Tech Defense:
I expect to see a good mix of run and pass to control the clock. Ryan Perrilloux may get back into the game at some point after not making the trip to Bama. It will be a very balanced and methodical attack.

LA Tech Offense vs. LSU Defense:
The playmakers on Tech’s offense are QB Zac Champion and RB Patrick Jackson.
The Bulldog offense has averaged 473 yards in the last 3 games. Not bad. I’d be surprised if they break 200 yards on Saturday.

Game Prediction:
LSU is far superior to the Bulldogs on every level. They should have no problem winning, even when the backups get in the game starting in the second quarter. I think the starters would benefit from a rest this Saturday night after the game is in hand. Les Miles should use this game to enforce some discipline on the penalty front. If you make a penalty, you sit on the bench for the rest of the series. If you make a personal foul, have a seat for the rest of the quarter. If you take your helmet off on the field, hit the showers. These things send a message to the players, a message that has apparently gone in one ear and out the other.

LSU runs away with this one.
I’ll take LSU-42, LA Tech-6

Injury Report:
Darry Beckwith will not play and may not play against the Rebels next week.

Coach of the Year???
Les Miles has been nominated to the 16 man watch list for the 2007 Paul “Bear” Bryant coach of the year award.

Week 11 Games of the Week: (Predicted winners in CAPS)
Arkansas @ (22) TENNESSEE
(13) MICHIGAN @ Wisconsin
Illinois @ (1) OHIO ST.
Florida St. @ (11) VIRGINIA TECH
(8) BOSTON COLLEGE @ Maryland
(18) FLORIDA @ South Carolina
(12) SOUTHERN CAL @ (24) California

Lock of the Week: (3-5)
(21) Alabama (-4.5) @ Mississippi St.

Upset Special: (5-5)
(17) Auburn (+2) @ (10) Georgia