LSU vs. West Virginia: 3 Things That Will Allow Mountaineers to Upset Tigers

All eyes in the college football world will be on Morgantown, W.V. tonight when the No. 16 West Virginia Mountaineers host the No. 2 LSU Tigers. Both teams have been incredibly impressive to this point in the season with 3-0 records, but they have done it in very different ways.

The Mountaineers are all about head coach Dana Holgorsen's spread offense. While the Mountaineers have performed solidly on defense, they are always looking to put up a crooked number on offense. Quarterback Geno Smith has run the offense perfectly, but he will have a big test against the LSU defense.

The Tigers are capable of putting a lot of points on the board in their own right, but defense is unquestionably their strength. LSU has been particularly good against the run, as they have shut down two of the nation's best rushing offense this season in Oregon and Mississippi State.

LSU is favored, and rightfully so, but the Mountaineers aren't receiving the respect they deserve. Some of that may have to do with playing in the lowly Big East, but they are an elite football team capable of playing with the nation's best.

Here are three things that will allow West Virginia to pull off a big upset against LSU tonight.

Home-Field Advantage

The LSU Tigers are widely regarded has having the most intimidating home-field atmosphere in the country, particularly when it comes to night games. While that may be true, the West Virginia faithful are going to show that they certainly aren't pushovers either.

The importance of home-field advantage is often overstated in sports, but I think that it tends to have more of an effect in college football than any other sport. Young players can often be intimidated by a hostile environment, and that is certainly what Morgantown will be.

LSU has a pretty experienced team, but the Tigers have been prone to some road losses over the past couple seasons. Home-field advantage may not make a huge difference for West Virginia, but it could give them that extra edge to put them over the top.

Forcing Jarrett Lee Into Mistakes

The LSU Tigers have endured on offense without the services of starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson who was suspended indefinitely prior to the season due to his involvement in a bar brawl. In his place, senior Jarrett Lee has been solid if not spectacular. He hasn't made many particularly big plays, but he has been able to avoid the big mistake.

After starting as a freshman in 2008, Lee fell out of favor due to his penchant for turning the ball over. Until this season, he hasn't played significantly since then, but he does seem to have matured greatly over the years.

Even so, it remains to be seen whether he can keep up this mistake-free style of play for an extended period of time. Lee doesn't have the greatest tools, so protecting the ball and managing the offense is really all he has. If the Mountaineer defense can put a little pressure on Lee, then he'll be forced to make quick decisions and possibly make some mistakes. If West Virginia can force some turnovers, it will set up their offense with good field position and make life much easier.

Effective Use of Spread Offense

Make no mistake, the LSU defense is spectacular, but West Virginia's spread offense will pose a completely new threat. The Tigers have been extremely stout against the run and have allowed a completion percentage of just 18 percent on passes beyond 15 yards. What they haven't seen, however, is an offense as innovative as West Virginia's.

With Geno Smith at the helm, the Mountaineers have moved the ball at will through the season's first three games. The sledding will be much tougher against the Tigers, but the Mountaineers have some wrinkles LSU hasn't seen so far this season.

West Virginia loves to use plenty of screens, slants and underneath routes to move the ball down the field. This type of passing game is good against an aggressive defense like LSU because it is predicated on quick decisions and keeping the defenders off balance. The Tigers may have the type of defense that can defend anything, the Mountaineers will pose a very stiff test.