Arizona State Over LSU?

[GeauxTo]

Here's what someone wrote about Arizona State and LSU:

Arizona State at LSU, September 10. I've been saying it since signing day: LSU has as much talent as any team in the country -- including USC. But did former coach Nick Saban damage quarterback JaMarcus Russell's confidence so deeply that the former megarecruit won't recover? If Russell's head is clear, he's Vince Young with 25 more pounds and a fantastic, accurate arm. ASU can score and is surprisingly physical (ask Purdue). If Russell struggles in his first big game, the Tigers won't escape as they did in last year's opener against Oregon State.

I hope this writer is full of $hit!
:p

[Jordan]

Ya never know, especially with the stress put on a lot of these kids. But personally, I think Russell will hold up just fine this year. :)

[uscrebel]

I can tell you this, USC is more worried about ASU than any of the other Pac10 teams. Last year their defense was very inconsistent, but their offense was explosive. The big problem Keller had was having to move around in the pocket due to a fairly inexperienced offensive front. They should be a bit more stable this year and the secondary should also be a bit more mature. I believe that LSU is clearly the superior team, but ASU knows going into Death Valley and winning would push them way up the charts in recruiting wars out here.

[cocky4ever]

Here's what someone wrote about Arizona State and LSU:

Arizona State at LSU, September 10. I've been saying it since signing day: LSU has as much talent as any team in the country -- including USC. But did former coach Nick Saban damage quarterback JaMarcus Russell's confidence so deeply that the former megarecruit won't recover? If Russell's head is clear, he's Vince Young with 25 more pounds and a fantastic, accurate arm. ASU can score and is surprisingly physical (ask Purdue). If Russell struggles in his first big game, the Tigers won't escape as they did in last year's opener against Oregon State.

I hope this writer is full of $hit!
:p

Sounds like Jamarcus Russell has the same problem Charlie Whitehurst has. Whitehurst has great potential but when he messes up one time he loses confidence and starts to make a lot of mistakes. Of course, Russell has a much better supporting cast so if he does lose confidence there will be others who should be able to help him carry the load. I sure hope LSU can pull it off because if not I can hear SEC naysayers now. Wouldnt it be great if Arkansas pulled off the major upset of the year against USoCal and LSU beat ASU. Not saying that it will happen, just thinking of how great it would be if it did.

[GeauxTo]

One thing going for us is that we open the week before ASU with North Texas who has a pretty good offense. That should give our D a good workout and let them perfect their techniques of getting into the backfield and defending passes a little more. And, hopefully, JaMarcus and the receivers should be able to refine their routes, etc., and enter the ASU game cocked and loaded. The best possible scenario for the SEC would be for Arkansas to upset USC and for us to plaster ASU. Hope that happens.

[ColonelKurtz]

This is a very tough game 2 and one that many LSU fans might be overlooking as they revel in the glowing predictions of their tigahs running all over the SEC and to the legendary field in Pasadena.

Remember that ASU is coached by the former guru at BSU and who does, as USCREB points out, have many guys back to form a D which is more complimentary of his volitile and potent O.

I wouldn't be looking past them myself, as I certainly am not looking past UGA's first game with those Broncos.

[JerseyVol]

ASU is too one dimensional. Their projected starter at RB (Wade) is heading to prison and, to be blunt, they don't have another runner who is all that talented. Hakim Hill is their leading returning rusher, and one will notice that his best game last year came in Berkely when ASU lost 27-0; thereby cementing the notion that if ASU can't pass succesfully they can't win. Walter failed to throw a TD that game and, as was the case w/ every other game (See USC and Arizona) in which he failed to put one in the end zone, the Sun Devils lost. ASU doesn't pass, ASU doesn't win.

Wroten and Williams will shut down the Devils shakey run game w/o breaking a sweat.

Its loud in Death Valley, really really loud. Sam Keller may as well be Helen Keller there (I'm going to hell for that analogy. Wow...thats uncalled for).

If I were an LSU fan, which I most cerainly am not, I'd be excited about this game. Honestly, does anyone really think the Devils can cover Bowe, Carter, Doucet, Green, etc, etc?

[fernandomike]

Impressive post, Jersey. Welcome aboard.

[uscrebel]

ASU is too one dimensional. ....

Its loud in Death Valley, really really loud. Sam Keller may as well be Helen Keller there (I'm going to hell for that analogy. Wow...thats uncalled for).


Geeze man...you're in Jersey. Hell would be an improvement. J/K ;)

If I were an LSU fan, which I most cerainly am not, I'd be excited about this game. Honestly, does anyone really think the Devils can cover Bowe, Carter, Doucet, Green, etc, etc?

I don't think anyone has suggested that ASU is capable of pulling into Red Stick and sliding out with a victory. The concern seems to be that the Tigers could be looking ahead or underrating the SunDevils. Last year, they were certainly a one dimensional team...6 rushing TDs all year long. But, remember that Wade was dismissed from the team after the first three games so his absence will not be much of a factor.

I look for LSU to win big...if they stay focused.

[GeauxTo]

This is a very tough game 2 and one that many LSU fans might be overlooking as they revel in the glowing predictions of their tigahs running all over the SEC and to the legendary field in Pasadena.

Remember that ASU is coached by the former guru at BSU and who does, as USCREB points out, have many guys back to form a D which is more complimentary of his volitile and potent O.

I wouldn't be looking past them myself, as I certainly am not looking past UGA's first game with those Broncos.
I don't think we'll be overlooking them, Col, but LSU was a notorious slow starter under Saban. I hope we've moved beyond that. At least we'll have one game under our belt when they come to town, and, of course, we have a new coach, new philosophy, etc, etc, etc. As JerseyVol says, they are pretty one-dimensional and we've got a lot of horses. I just hope we are cocked and loaded and ready to play hard!
;)

[JerseyVol]

Geeze man...you're in Jersey. Hell would be an improvement. J/K ;)
.



you don't realize how right you are. new jersey is the only state in america in which everyone ardently hates the town they live in. no joke, everyone here hates their town. i've come to the conclusion that evedryone hates their town...b/c everyone's town sucks!

New Jersey is the bastard son of Philidelphia and New York.