Music City Bowl 2014: Preview, Predictions for LSU vs. Notre Dame
With 10 previous matchups in their history, LSU and Notre Dame are already well-acquainted with one another.
However, the Tigers (8-4) and the Fighting Irish (7-5) will find themselves in a new locale for their meeting later this month.
Notre Dame and LSU are on very different paths heading into this year's Music City Bowl—a new postseason game for both sides.
The Fighting Irish started the year as dark horse College Football Playoff contenders with six straight victories. But a heartbreaking loss to national semifinalist Florida State away from home sent Notre Dame on a downward spiral as Brian Kelly's team dropped five of its final six games of the season.
Les Miles' young LSU team, on the other hand, has had an up-and-down season. The Tigers rebounded from an upset loss to Mississippi State and a blowout defeat at the hands of Auburn with a solid three-game winning streak before dropping a close loss to No. 1 Alabama and a frustrating shutout to Arkansas. But LSU has the momentum heading into this year's matchup in the Music City thanks to a 23-17 win against Texas A&M on Thanksgiving Night.
Will the Tigers keep moving forward into 2015 with another victory, or will Notre Dame end its losing skid with a season-ending victory against a SEC opponent?
Before we get to the breakdown of this matchup, here are all the basics you need to know:
Date: Tuesday, December 30
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Place: LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee
TV: ESPN
Tale of the Tape
1 of 7When Notre Dame has the ball, expect a classic matchup between a high-powered offense and a stout defense. The Fighting Irish are prone to turning the ball over despite all their yards, and the Tigers have been able to take advantage of mistakes with their usual fierce defensive play this season.
On the other side of the matchup, the LSU offense and the Notre Dame defense look balance. Both have had their dry spells this season but still boast big-play potential that could be the difference in the ball game.
LSU Keys to Victory
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Pound the Irish on the Ground
LSU's calling card on offense continues to be its strong rushing attack led by a trio of talented running backs and a power-first mentality along the offensive line. The Tigers are at their best when they can move the ball efficiently on the ground, and they are coming off a dream 384-yard rushing performance against Texas A&M.
Notre Dame has had somewhat of a tough time at stopping the run during its late-season slide with four of its last five opponents earning more than 200 yards on the ground. If LSU sticks to its tried-and-true formula on offense, it will keep Notre Dame's faster-paced offense off the field and wear down a frustrated defense.
Force Golson to Make Mistakes
Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson has the ability to rack up major yardage and several touchdowns on almost any defense, but the turnover bug has bitten him hard this season.
Golson will face the nation's No. 4 pass defense after throwing an interception in each of his last nine games, including a miserable four-pick performance against Arizona State. Look for the Tigers to crank up the pressure on Golson and capitalize on his throwing errors in this matchup.
Notre Dame Keys to Victory
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When In Doubt, Shoot It Out
Outside of the 49-14 loss to USC in the regular season finale, Notre Dame's offense has still be able to put up points in bunches throughout the 2014 season. LSU is not a team built for shootouts, and a wild, high-scoring bowl game definitely favors the Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame needs to get back into its offensive form over these next few weeks and focus on hitting LSU for explosive plays and quick scoring drives. An early lead could also force the Tigers to move away from its run-dominated mentality, which plays right into the hands of Kelly's squad.
Force Passing Situations
Although sophomore Anthony Jennings reclaimed the starting job from freshman Brandon Harris in the middle of the season, LSU does not put a lot of faith into its quarterback when it comes to its game plan. Jennings hasn't thrown for more than 150 yards or multiple touchdowns since the second game of the season.
Notre Dame's defense has allowed chunks of passing yardage throughout the season to its opponents, but it is still one of the nation's best in recording interceptions. No one should expect the Irish to completely shut down LSU's running game, but slowing it down enough to put more pressure on Jennings would be ideal.
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LSU Players to Watch
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RB Leonard Fournette
The nation's most-talked about true freshman heading into the 2014 season has given Tiger fans a lot of hope for the future. Fournette might not always get the bulk of the carries for LSU each game, but he still leads the team with 891 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
While fellow running backs Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard will be expected to get their fair share in what will be their final game with the program, expect to see a lot of Fournette, especially after the best game of his young career in the regular-season finale.
LB Kwon Alexander
If LSU is making a defensive play, there is a good chance Alexander is involved in some way.
Alexander leads LSU in tackles by a solid amount and has done a good job at getting into the backfield several times this season. He will be called upon by the Tigers to do a lot against a spread team like Notre Dame, from the usual run support and quarterback pressure to pass coverage against a variety of receivers.
Notre Dame Players to Watch
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QB Everett Golson
After what was a rough end to the regular season, all eyes will be on Golson in a game against one of the nation's stingiest defenses. Win or lose, Notre Dame has been the most competitive when Golson is on his game, and the Irish will need him to come through one more time to avoid a six-loss season.
Golson's ability to get away from pressure with his legs could be a major factor against LSU's defense, and he is the team's rushing touchdown leader with eight this season. If Golson keeps his composure and avoids mistakes, the Notre Dame offense could give the Tigers fits all day long.
LB Jaylon Smith
The sophomore linebacker has followed up an impressive first season for the Irish by leading the team in both tackles and tackles for loss in 2014. His 102 tackles this season have locked up his status at the Irish's best in that category—the next closest to him is Joe Schmidt with 65.
Smith will have a ton of responsibility against LSU's power-run offense, so look for him to lead the defense in what should be an intriguing matchup when Jennings and Fournette have the ball in their hands.
What They're Saying
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LSU
Head coach Les Miles following the Tigers' victory against Texas A&M, per the program's official website:
"It’s nice to go into the holidays now with the last victor and we’ll look forward to a bowl destination, hope we get a good bowl opponent. I think our football is going to be good, I think we’re going to be ready for a bowl.
"
Notre Dame
Head coach Brian Kelly on playing in the Music City Bowl, per Blue & Gold Illustrated's Andrew Owens:
"We're thrilled with the opportunity to face LSU — one of the preeminent programs in all of college football. When we worked with the ACC to fashion our agreement, part of the attraction for Notre Dame was the ability to provide our program with this type of matchup. In that vein we’re excited to come to Nashville, to play in a bowl in which the University never before has participated and to play in a top-notch NFL venue.
"
Prediction
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LSU has the momentum and several advantages heading into this one, including a run-first mentality against a team that has struggled to stop the run in recent weeks.
The Tigers will look to keep the ball away from Golson and the Irish's up-tempo offense, much like they did in their victory against Texas A&M. Controlling possession will put even more pressure on a turnover-prone offense, and LSU will look to take advantage with its tough defense.
In the end, a trip down to Tennessee will be a tough ending for a formerly playoff-contending Irish team that has gone off the rails over the last month. LSU's young offensive talent thrives in this postseason appearance and records a two-score victory in Nashville—look for a late Notre Dame touchdown to make the scoreline closer than it should be.
LSU 34, Notre Dame 21
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