NCAA Football
2012-12-31 - Clemson Tigers at LSU Tigers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NCAA Football
Monday 31 December 2012 - Kick Off 7:30pm
12:30am (British Time)
Preview
This is one of those Bowl Games where a top Defense comes up against a top Offense and it will be interesting which of those units can come out on top when the LSU Tigers (10-2) face the Clemson Tigers (10-2). Both Head Coaches have been talking up the other's top unit, but it will be interesting how it boils down on Monday evening.
It is also a big moment for Clemson who were embarrassed a season ago by the West Virginia Mountaineers when losing that Bowl Game 70-33.
Tajh Boyd faces a real test in this one as the powerful Clemson Offense goes against possibly the best Defense they will have seen on the season. He has helped this school lead the nation in terms of points per game and also on Total Offense, mainly thanks to the help that Andre Ellington and Sammy Watkins give him.
Boyd will be under some pressure from the LSU pass rush and will also have it tough against a Defense that has allowed less than 200 yards per game through the air. He will also have to be careful against a ball-hawking Secondary, but both Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins give him options and both are capable of breaking off the big play.
Ellington's contribution will be to keep the LSU Defense honest- this Defense has just about allowed 100 yards per game on the ground and I think Ellington has to be there to keep the pass rush honest and not let them tee off on Boyd at will. The Running Back is also capable of breaking off big runs, although it clearly will be a tough day for consistent moving of chains.
The LSU Offense should have some success against the Clemson Defense as the two weaker units of the teams go against one another. Zach Mettenberger has been slightly disappointing as he threw 11 touchdowns and 6 interceptions this season. He will have some success against a Defense that has allowed 250 yards per game through the air but the Quarter Back has to be careful.
That is because his Offensive Line has struggled to protect him and Clemson do get pressure on the opposition Quarter Back. That pressure has helped Clemson only allow 24 points per game this season so they are very much a Defense that will bend but not break.
Mettenberger will be supported by a committee of Running Backs that helped the LSU Tigers generate 180 yards per game on the ground. They should have success keeping the Offense in short yardage situations and also to slow down any pass rush Clemson generate. That could be the key that makes all the difference in this game.
Head to Head
The two schools last met in 1996 in the Peach Bowl, a game that LSU won 10-7.
Prediction
I really do like the Clemson Offense and I think they have a point to prove after being blown out by West Virginia a year ago... That doesn't mean I think the Clemson Tigers win, just that I see them giving the LSU Tigers all they can handle in this one.
I think LSU will eventually win the game, but I don't believe their Offense will have them winning going away in this one, so the 6 points Clemson are receiving are tempting enough for me to back them.
The Pick :
LSU Tigers 24-20 Clemson Tigers
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back the Clemson Tigers + 6 Points @ 2.00
