Weekend Picks - November 25
I'm heading to Little Rock tomorrow for the big Hawg-Tiger game. I've never been to Little Rock before, so I'll have a full report from the game this weekend. The game is an awkward one, if you ask me. Arkansas, despite being in the SEC for 14 years now, still feels like an outsider, separated from the Texas schools it once so loved to beat. These two schools have played each other for a long time, usually in Shreveport, but the series slacked off as both schools focused on their respective conferences. When Arkansas joined the SEC, LSU offered them a trophy to play for, "The Boot." Sure, it lacks the charm or collegiate goofiness of the Big 10 rivalry trophies, but The Boot is so clumsy and ugly it's a good representation of the Hawgs place in the SEC, remote and odd.
It shouldn't take two players to move your rivalry trophy.LSU v. Arkansas - Before the season, this game looked like a blowout, but as we know Arkansas has proved the surprise team of the SEC, if not the country. Both teams have stout, physical defenses, but I give a slight edge to LSU on this side of the ball. Arkansas has players, but LSU has monsters. Laron Landry and that swarming array of muscle on the defensive line, makes the Tiger defense a frightening prospect for any quarterback. The offenses, however, are a stark contrast. LSU relies on its massive, football launching quarterback and its group of talented receivers. Arkansas relies on its big, fast, Heisman contender running back. LSU can't run and Arkansas has trouble passing consistently, even though they have Marcus Monk. I like LSU because they have a slightly better defense and their offense will produce more big plays than the Hawgs. LSU, 23-21.
Notre Dame at USC - Remember Notre Dame? They were the team that was going to win eight straight national championships before they were blown out at home by Michigan and needed a miracle collapse by Michigan State to pull out a win. We haven't seen them since. Research will show that they then proceeded to launch an assault on our nations armed forces, beating every service branch, except the Coast Guard and Homeland Security. USC meanwhile has gone through its mediocre Pac 10 schedule in workmanlike fashion with a brief hiccup at Oregon State. They seem to have found a few options at tailback and their passing game has looked solid, but not spectacular. The difference between these two teams is that USC actually plays defense. Look for USC to score at will and get enough stops to beat the Irish. USC, 41-28.
Notre Dame at USC - Remember Notre Dame? They were the team that was going to win eight straight national championships before they were blown out at home by Michigan and needed a miracle collapse by Michigan State to pull out a win. We haven't seen them since. Research will show that they then proceeded to launch an assault on our nations armed forces, beating every service branch, except the Coast Guard and Homeland Security. USC meanwhile has gone through its mediocre Pac 10 schedule in workmanlike fashion with a brief hiccup at Oregon State. They seem to have found a few options at tailback and their passing game has looked solid, but not spectacular. The difference between these two teams is that USC actually plays defense. Look for USC to score at will and get enough stops to beat the Irish. USC, 41-28.
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