Jason Radowitz previews and gives his best bet for College GameDay’s match-up of the week featuring LSU and Texas.
College Gameday is off to Texas with some early playoff implications for Week 2. The LSU Tigers (6) will visit the Texas Longhorns (9) at the Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.
LSU and Texas took care of business in their week 1 tune-ups after each quarterback threw at least four touchdowns on the night. Joe Burrow went for 278 yards passing and five touchdowns on his way to becoming the SEC Player of the Week after LSU’s 55-3 win against Georgia Southern. Texas’ Sam Ehlinger destroyed Louisiana Tech in a 45-14 victory. Ehlinger threw for 276 yards passing and four touchdowns.
LSU
Joe Burrow was sensational in his final season as quarterback for LSU. The LSU running game struggled a bit, uncharacteristically, but Burrow and the passing game didn’t. LSU has one of the greatest offensive lines in college football, after allowing the second-fewest sacks in the SEC last season. This season, the LSU offense has spread their offense out a little bit. Whatever LSU’s doing on offense is working. Burrow looks like a stud and very comfortable in the pocket.
LSU’s defense faced a run-heavy option offense in Georgia Southern. Let’s just say it didn’t go too well. LSU was dominant defensively thanks to great play from K’Lavon Chaisson, who returned from an injury that sat him out for most of last season. Georgia Southern finished the game with just 98 yards on offense. Complete domination.
Texas will be a tougher opponent for LSU but Burrow can surely take advantage of Texas’ secondary that allowed 340 yards passing in Week 1 against Louisiana Tech. A lightweight opponent with 340 yards passing is something Burrow can exploit.
Texas
Texas is coming into this game as pretty large underdogs for a 6-9 game. Texas is playing in a neutral field but it’s in Austin, Texas. It’s ultimately a home game for the Longhorns. Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger looked locked in and in season form after his four touchdown performance in week 1. Like LSU, Texas struggled to get going on the ground with just 153 yards rushing. The area that will need to step up most for Texas will be their secondary that struggled against Louisiana Tech. Burrow is not going to make things easy.
The Longhorns have a quick pass rush that could affect Burrow in the new offense, but as long as the LSU offensive line does their job, it will be hard for Texas to get to Burrow. After all, the Big 12 is known for their offense not defense.
The Verdict
At this point, it’s pretty apparent; Texas needs to win this game on the defensive end. With Joe Burrow in at quarterback against Georgia Southern, he scored a touchdown each drive he played. He was taken out mid-way in the third quarter. Louisiana Tech would’ve had 20 points on Texas if their field goal kicker was able to convert two field goal tries.
The Texas defense will not get the job done and LSU will come up victorious in this one. They’ll cover the spread too which is -6.5.
LSU Tigers -6.5 -110 Spread @PointsBet
