Georgia Dome in Atlanta

7:00 pm

TV - ABC

This will be huge game for both teams.  It will be played in the Georgia Dome where LSU has a 7-1 record.  They are 4-0 against ACC foes in the Chick-Fil-A bowl games and 3-1 in the SEC championship games.  North Carolina has played two bowl games in the Georgia Dome and is 2-0 against SEC opponents.   

This should be an interesting football game.  LSU has struggled the last two years and the consensus has them expected to struggle again this year.  North Carolina known for its basketball teams has shown improvement in their football program the past few seasons.  North Carolina’s defensive team was being touted as one of the best coming into this season, but a cloud hangs over that team right now.  It is reported that two defensive players have been suspended from the team and as many as four more might be.  But no matter who shows up for the game, it will be played.

North Carolina

Offense – T.J. Yates returns as the starting QB.  He completed 214 passes out of 355 attempts and had 15 TD’s.  Yates had 2,136 yards for an average of 164 yards per game and a completion average of 60.3 per game.  He had 15 interceptions.  Redshirt freshman Bryn Brenner has been getting a lot of snaps in the fall practice.  Coach Butch Davis has been impressed with the play of both QB’s.  The team is returning the starting WR’s and tight end.  Greg Little caught 62 passes for 724 yards and five TD’s while Erik Highsmith caught 37 passes for 425 yards and two TD’s.  Tight end Zack Pianalto had 33 catches for 334 yards and one TD. 

The team returns their top two running backs in Ryan Houston and Shaun Draughn.  Houston rushed for 713 yards and seven TD’s, while Draughn rushed for 567 yards and one TD.  Johnny White, a versatile do-everything back rounds out the backfield.

The Tar Heels scored 309 points last year for an average of 23.8 yards per game.  Total offense was 4,001 yards for an average 308 per game.

Defense – The defense is the strength of the Carolina football team.  Six members of the defensive team are up for all-star honors:  DT Marvin Austin, CB Kendrick Burney, LB Bruce Carter, DE Robert Quinn, LB Quan Sturdivant, and S Deunta Williams.  But four of those six players are part of the group that could be suspended from the team.  So far no one has officially been suspended from the team.  Could this be a smoke screen to confuse LSU?  But either way North Carolina has a good defensive team.

The defense limited opposing teams to 222 points for an average of 17.1 per game and allowing 3,505 yards for an average of 270 yards per game.

Special Teams -  Punter Grant Shallock had a 40.3 punting average last year.  Casey Barth was 21 of 24 kicking FG’s last year and also was the kicker on the kickoff team.  Johnny White is the return specialist for Carolina.

LSU

Offense – Jordan Jefferson despite all his woes completed 182 passes out of 296 attempts for 17 TD’s.  Jordan had 2,166 yards for an average of 181 per game.  Jordan was intercepted 7 times.  Jarrett Lee has been getting a lot of snaps in fall practice and Coach Les Miles has been high on both QB’s.  LSU lost their top WR Brandon LeFell, but Terrance Toliver is returning with 53 catches for 735 yards.  Rueben Randle is expected to step into the number two slot.  He was a highly recruited WR and is expected to be another good LSU receiver.  He had 11 catches for 173 yards and two TD’s.  The third WR is Russell Sheppard who was a running back last year but has been moved to WR to get him running space. 

LSU will depend upon running back by committee this year as Stevan Ridley, Richard Murphy and RS Michael Ford will handle the load.  The key to the running game is going to depend on the play of the offensive line.  The offensive line had a sub par year last year and a lot of work in going into improving their play.

LSU scored 323 points last year for an average of 24.8 per game.  Total offense was 3,959 for an average of 306 yards per game.

Defense – John Chavis returns for his second year as defensive coordinator.  The players know his system now and Tiger fans are expecting the defense to carry the team this year.  He will have more depth at defensive end than LSU has had in years. Lavar Edwards and Chancy Aghayere will be strong contenders to start at the two defensive ends spot, while Barkevious Mingo and Kendrick Adams are two of the fastest defensive ends in the SEC. They, along with Sam Montgomery, will cause trouble for opposing teams' quarterbacks in passing situations. Michael Brockers, Drake Nevis and Lazarius (Pep) Levingston will give LSU much needed size at the defensive tackles. LB’s are led by Kevin Sheppard, one of the best in the SEC.  The defensive backfield is led by Patrick Peterson, one of the best corners in the nation.

The defense allowed 4,259 total yards and 327 per game.  Opponents scored 211 points for an average of 16.2 per game.

Special Teams – Josh Jasper will handle the FG kicking and kickoffs.  Jasper was 17 for 20 in FG attempts last year.  He hit one from 52 yards out.  Jasper might be the punter as well. Derek Helton also has been handling some of the punting chores.  Patrick Peterson will be returning punts.  No mention has been made about the kickoff returners.  I would expect one of the running backs and possibly Russell Sheppard as the other one.

Outlook for the game – The offensive line for LSU has to play better than they did last year.  North Carolina’s defense to play up to all the expectations they have been given this year.  Turnovers also will be huge as they are in most games.  Both teams will have to be able to throw the ball successfully.  But the winning factor for the game will be the team speed for LSU. 

LSU 24  North Carolina  17