LSU Bowl Game 2010: Breaking Down the Tigers in the Cotton Bowl
The 75th Cotton Bowl Classic pits the Big 12’s Texas A&M Aggies against the SEC’s LSU Tigers in a matchup of two teams that could have very well been playing in BCS bowls.
Since neither team won their conference, or in Texas A&M’s case won it outright, their fate was left to be handled by the computers.
The end result was Oklahoma getting the nod for the Big 12 championship game, which they won, and Arkansas being chosen as the SEC’s BCS at-large bid.
Nevertheless, these two teams should make for another classic Big 12-SEC matchup in the Cotton Bowl at Jerry World.
The LSU Tigers had a wild ride in 2010 that will culminate against an old rival in its home state in front of a fan base that calls itself “The 12th Man.”
First Things First…
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First Things First…
MATCHUP: LSU TIGERS VS. TEXAS A&M AGGIES
BOWL: AT&T COTTON BOWL CLASSIC
WHEN: JAN. 7
TV: FOX @ 8 PM EST
VENUE: COWBOYS STADIUM
SPREAD: LSU -1
Offense
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The 2010 version of the LSU offense can be considered anything but a strong point.
Sure, the offense came through in some clutch situations, such as Stevan Ridley forcing his way into the end zone after Tennessee was called for too many men on the field or Jarret Lee completing a clutch touchdown pass with six seconds left after a successful fake field goal against Florida (more on this later).
Ridley was a workhorse for LSU this season, finishing the season with 1,007 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, which are both good for fourth in the SEC.
Ridley wasn’t the problem, though.
Jordan Jefferson, Jarret Lee, and everyone else who threw a football for the Tigers in 2010 were the problem.
LSU ranks last in the SEC in total passing yards (1,865), passing yards per game (155.4), and touchdown passes (7)…which is also tied for last in the FBS.
Defense
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It is not a coincidence that the only two losses that LSU has suffered this season were due to a poor defensive performance.
Then again, when you play against Cam Newton or Ryan Mallett, slowing them down is a better game plan than trying to stop them.
With that being said, defense is definitely the area that LSU prides itself on.
Lead by junior cornerback Patrick Peterson, the Tigers were one of the best defenses in not only the SEC, but also the nation.
Peterson was awarded for his defensive play this season, winning both the Jim Thorpe and the Chuck Bednarik awards, which are given to the nation’s best defensive back and best defensive player, respectively.
Special Teams
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Patrick Peterson once again gets credit for another facet of this year’s LSU team.
In his first season as a kickoff and punt returner for Les Miles, Peterson showed his athleticism by averaging 29.3 on kickoff returns and 16.1 punt return yards, two of which were for touchdowns.
LSU’s punter, Derek Helton, averaged 45.4 yards per punt and placekicker Josh Jasper was 26 of 31 on field goals this season.
Even more interesting, LSU has performed three fake field goals this season and Peterson even blocked a field goal.
Coaching
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Les Miles, a.k.a. “The Mad Hatter,” has once again wowed his critics with his “expert” clock management and late-game savvy.
LSU finished the season with a 10-2 record, with his only two losses coming on the road against Auburn and Arkansas.
Although the Tigers’ game at Tennessee wasn’t one of their proudest moments, their last-second victory at Florida was a more clear indication of Miles’ willingness to go for it all with the game on the line.
He has coached in the Cotton Bowl once before (while head coach at Oklahoma State).
He takes his 61-17 record (4-1 in Bowl Games) at LSU into Jerry World to challenge former NFL boss and coach of a team that is riding a six-game winning streak in Mike Sherman.
Key to Victory No. 1 – Jordan Jefferson/Jarrett Lee
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If LSU wants to win this game, they need to throw the ball effectively against Texas A&M.
A&M’s pass defense allowed an average of 240.5 yards per game. Their secondary is lead by Coryell Judie.
Jefferson and Lee are going to need to utilize Rueben Randle and the rest of their receiving corps.
The Tigers' offense cannot afford to let the Aggies put eight in the box and stop the LSU rushing attack dead in its tracks.
Key to Victory No. 2 – Patrick Peterson Vs. Jeff Fuller
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This season, Aggies junior wide receiver Jeff Fuller set A&M records for season touchdown receptions, career touchdown receptions, and consecutive games with at least one catch.
It will be up to Peterson to make sure that Fuller doesn’t have a big game in Dallas.
As long as Peterson can shut down Fuller, the Tigers should not have too much trouble against the Aggies' passing game.
Key to Victory No. 3 – LSU Pass Defense Vs. Texas A&M Pass Offense
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The Aggies have allowed their quarterbacks to be sacked 35 times this season.
The LSU defense has recorded 32 sacks this season, with defensive tackle Drake Nevis and linebacker Ryan Baker recording six sacks each.
The numbers don’t lie, so expect LSU to put a lot of pressure on Aggies’ quarterback and make life miserable for them in the pocket.
Series History
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Regular Season Record
LSU – 26 Wins…Texas A&M – 20 Wins…3 Ties
Only Bowl Meeting
1943 Orange Bowl
LSU 19…Texas A&M 14
Pick
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BOLD PREDICTION: LSU 24…Texas A&M 20
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