LSU versus Penn State, 2009 Capital One Bowl Prediction Pick

Les Miles has lived a charmed life in bowl games. He’s made his bones just destroying teams at the end of the year. Mostly, he’s eaten the Midwest alive. This year? There’s a chance that things might be changing. Let me break it down thusly.

LSU’s offense has wasted its talent in a considerable form or fashion. You have such a superb prospect in Brandon LaFell and you have him averaging only 4 catches a game? You have Charles Scott and Keiland Williams and not combine for 200 rushing attempts? Gary Crowton’s playcalling was ludicrous. I know Billy Gonzalez has come in as a passing game coordinator?

But they lived on special teams, turnover margin, and a little Les Miles lunacy. Can a guy who had to watch Steve Addazio run 27 straight QB dives help change the scenario? I honestly don’t believe it. I’ll explain further in a later paragraph.

A team with a good runner has had success against LSU offensively this season. You don’t have to be a scatback like Dexter McCluster to do it either. So, while Big Ten running backs and professional success can be as elusive as me chasing down a date on Saturday night? Evan Royster should have success.

And I know that LSU’s defense is great. But one of the things they’re not great at? Pass rush. And as Iowa showed, the thing that wounds Penn State most of all is a team with a strong pass rush. Not to say that they can’t get some pressure. But Penn State’s line should be at full strength.

And as defenses go? Penn State’s is powerful. With Jared Odrick generating six sacks as a defensive tackle and Novorro Bowman as the next in line at Linebacker U? They will make some trouble for the Bayou Bengals. Their line allowed about 2.5 sacks per game. Penn State should find their way into the over. 

Now you’re expecting me to call this one a blowout. You would be wrong. Trindon Holliday has a real strong chance to get himself a return for six. The kick coverage for Penn State is mediocre, and the punt coverage is the worst in D-1. It won’t get LSU a win. Just a final of Penn State 17, LSU 14 or some such nonsense.