Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Notre Dame (7-5) vs. LSU (8-4)
Nashville, Tenn.
Dec 30, 2014
Tuesday’s Music City Bowl features two teams that didn’t meet expectations this season.
Both LSU and Notre Dame entered the 2014 season ranked in the Top 20, but neither lived up to its preseason billing.
Notre Dame started the season by winning its first six games and was ranked fifth heading into a Nov. 8 showdown at second-ranked Florida State. The Fighting Irish came up just short thanks to a controversial offensive pass interference call and the season spiraled downhill in the weeks following, losing five of their final six games (including FSU) to finish 7-5.
The Fighting Irish were able to put up points in bunches, but turnovers, 26 in all, plagued them all season. Junior quarterback Everett Golson threw for 3,355 yards and 29 touchdowns, but he turned the ball over 22 times (14 INT, 8 fumbles) and head coach Brian Kelly turned to backup Malik Zaire late in the season. In fact, Kelly said that both quarterbacks would see time against LSU.
The Irish defense allowed nearly 30 points per game on the season and will face a tough challenge with LSU’s running attack. True freshman Leonard Fournette led the way with 891 yards and eight touchdowns, while Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard added 545 yards and three touchdowns and 431 yards and six scores, respectively.
Like Notre Dame, LSU has had some issues at the quarterback position. Anthony Jennings battled with Brandon Harris battled for snaps early in the season, but Jennings emerged as the better option down the stretch, Still, Jennings threw for only 1,460 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions on the season. He hasn’t thrown for more than 150 yards in a game since September, so if the Irish can stop the LSU run game and force Jennings to throw more than he wants to, it could be a long day for the LSU offense.
The Tigers, who finished 8-4, were ranked No. 13 in the preseason and were expected to compete for an SEC title. Instead, the team’s struggling offense came up small and scored a combined 20 points in losses to Auburn, Alabama and Arkansas. Still, the Tigers have athletes all over the place on defense, allowing only 305.8 yards per game – eighth-best in the country.
ODDS
LSU (-7)
FUN FACT
These two programs have played 10 times previously, with each team winning five times. However, LSU has won both times it squared off with Notre Dame in a bowl game – the 1997 Independence Bowl and the 2007 Sugar Bowl. Additionally, LSU can become the first program with three bowl wins over Notre Dame with a win.
PREDICTIONS
Graham: The LSU secondary has been good most of the season and it should have a field day against turnover-prone Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson. LSU 17, Notre Dame 10.
Nick: Bold prediction: Golson has two early turnovers and Malik Zaire turns what was supposed to be a rep-sharing arrangement into a full-time gig. LSU 23, Notre Dame 16
Sam: Notre Dame’s season really turned into a disaster down the stretch. Facing a tough, athletic LSU defense isn’t exactly a recipe to solve its penchant for turnovers. LSU 20, Notre Dame 16.
For more Notre Dame news, visit IrishIllustrated.com.
For more LSU news, visit TigerBait.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Music City Bowl: Will Irish's turnover woes continue vs. LSU?
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