I’m taking the points with LSU. The Yellow Jackets exceeded expectations this year while the Tigers underachieved. However, while those results have given us excellent line value, it should be remembered that the Tigers played in a much tougher conference. I feel that LSU matches up very well vs. the Yellow Jackets. I also believe that the Tigers are far more talented and dangerous than their record indicates.
Georgia Tech has successfully implemented Paul Johnson’s triple-option attack and runs the ball almost exclusively. However, the extra few weeks of preparation time gives extremely well-coached LSU time to learn all about what the Yellow Jackets do. Additionally, while LSU has had some trouble against the pass, the Tigers were excellent against the run, allowing just 3.3 yards per carry and 106 yards per game.
The Tigers have been excellent under Les Miles in bowl games and I expect them to come in with a chip on their shoulder, looking to prove they are better than what they showed this year. The Yellow Jackets were great when “flying under the radar.” That’s over though and they’re now laying points against a top tier team from an elite conference. Being “expected to win” is an entirely different matter and I look for them to stumble here. *New Year’s Eve Best Bet
I’m playing on LSU and Georgia Tech to finish UNDER the total. This number has climbed from its opener and I feel that the current total is now too high, providing us with excellent value on the UNDER.
Its true that LSU’s defense wasn’t quite as good this year, at least when compared to some of the Tigers’ recent dominating units. However, the Tigers’ “weakness” was against the pass and the Yellow Jackets don’t have the type of passing attack to take advantage.
The Tigers, who have seen the UNDER go 3-1 the last four times that they played in a dome, remained stout against the run this season, allowing just 3.3 yards per carry and 106 yards per game. Overall, LSU permitted a respectable 327 total yards per game.
Georgia Tech’s strength has been its defense, as the Yellow Jackets held opponents to just 18.2 points and 312 total yards per game. Overall, Georgia Tech games averaged 44.4 points on the season, with the UNDER going 6-4 in their games with a total. The Yellow Jackets, who closed out the season with back to back victories, have seen the UNDER go 9-3 the last 12 times they were coming off two or more consecutive wins and 9-4 their last 13 games (with a total) which were played on turf. With a heavy dose of the run from both teams helping to keep the clock moving and strong overall defensive play, I look for this evening’s score to prove lower-scoring than most are expecting and the final combined score to fall beneath the generous number. *Bowl TOM