Sunday Night College Football: LSU-Miami open thread and why-to-watch

It’s been almost 24 hours since the Alabama Crimson Tide defenestrated the Luhvl Cardinals and deflated the titles expectations of 128 other programs.

Now, it’s time to see how the other half lives, specifically an Alabama nemesis — the LSU Tigers — squaring off against old foe Mark Richt and his alma mater Miami Hurricanes.

In our Thursday Giving Away Money, we specifically targeted this one (with Appalachian State-Penn State and Auburn-Washington) as a toxic line to avoid (YOU LISTENED, RIGHT?!) But, the reason for saving your money, is the very reason it should prove to be compelling television:

WATCH, BUT DON’T BET:

LSU vs. Miami is a game between two teams which are frankly ranked where they are based on their jerseys. Miami may surprise me, but it’s not a Top 10 team as of today. This will be ugly, low-scoring, probably filled with turnovers. And in that kind of matchup, you give LSU more than a puncher’s chance — they could win this game and still finish .500 though. Malik Rosier is going to turn the ball over elebenty times — he’s literally been on the roster since Blake Sims was starting at Alabama. And Jake Burrow is likely going to stumblebum into completing 50% of his passes while the ‘Canes linebackers tee off on him. The race to failing expectations begins!

If you like defense, then put together Miami’s inside linebackers, LSU’s secondary and outside ‘backers, and toss in the athleticism of either locally-grown front four and you’d have a nice unit — some of them may even make the Alabama practice squad (#shade).

This seems a must-win for Richt. LSU Fan knows (or should know) that he’s watching one of the SEC’s steepest rebuilds this season. Miami had some key losses as well, but frankly this LSU bunch is a team Richt should beat. History don’t lie: he lost too many of these types of games at Georgia, and the clutch track record isn’t so hot with his ‘Canes either, now entering Year Three. LSU can’t fire Orgeron; they know that. That program is pawing through dumpsters recycling cans for all the buyouts the Tigers foolishly self-inflicted. Richt has got the juice, but the pressure. O’s got some leeway, but little buzz. It’ll be interesting to see who plays looser and who prepares better.

This one should be punch-counter punch; a contest where points are at a premium. If you want to see a game won at the line of scrimmage, by establishing the running game, through smart field position and clutch special teams, and just enough timely quarterback play to haul down a “W”, this is Ye Olde Timey football. It may not be particularly crisp football, but a 17-13 kind of game may be just the salve to balm our souls in this mad, mad era.

Miami vs. LSU (+3.5, O/U 47.5)

6:30 Central, ABC