Cfn: Unt/lsu Fearless Predictions...

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SOURCE: http://cfn.scout.com/2/776232.html

North Texas (0-2) at LSU (1-0), 8:00 EST GamePlan

Why to watch: LSU has been able to beat almost everyone in its path, but it can’t beat Mother Nature. Hurricane Gustav forced last week’s game against Troy to be postponed until November, and this week’s game against North Texas was a question mark with even more bad weather on its way. Hurricane Ike is supposed to miss the battered and beaten Baton Rouge area, so instead of moving the game to a separate location, the Mean Green and Tigers will get in on Saturday night in Death Valley. UNT hasn’t been creating much of a storm so far getting blown out in the opening two games against Kansas State and Tulsa by a combined score of 101 to 32. The defense hasn’t even been close while the supposedly high-octane offense hasn’t done much. LSU is back on the field for the first time since a 41-13 pasting of Appalachian State. The team has had far more to deal with than just football, but with Auburn coming up next week, there can’t be any lack of focus now.

Why North Texas might win: The Mean Green might have more of a distraction than LSU considering Ike is supposed to hit Texas, but considering the damage and the clean up the Tigers have had to deal with, football hasn’t been priority one. The Mean Green offense has to start bombing away like it did at times last season, while the defense has to hold up for a drive or two early on to keep this from being over in the first quarter.

Why LSU might win: Tulsa’s David Johnson threw for 420 yards and six touchdowns, while Kansas State’s quarterbacks combined to throw for 306 yards and three scores. The LSU combination of Jarrett Lee and Andrew Hatch threw for 193 yards and four touchdowns against Appalachian State, and they should be able to take advantage of a UNT that’ll have to concentrate on stopping the run.

Who to watch: Giovanni Vizza is still the North Texas starting quarterback … for now. The sophomore hasn’t thrown an interception yet and has been fine, throwing for 347 yards and three touchdowns in two games, but he hasn’t been lights out. Star recruit Riley Dodge, head coach Todd Dodge’s son, will be used a bit as a receiver, but it could be just a matter of time before there’s a quarterback switch if Vizza isn’t getting the job done.

What will happen: LSU won’t have any interest in doing anything other than getting this over with as soon as possible.

CFN Prediction: LSU 50 … North Texas 3 ... Line: LSU -41

Must See Rating: (5 Hole in the Wall - 1 First Blood) … 1.5

[Mean Green 93-98]

Everyone seems to feel that Riley is going to step in and replace Gio--I just don't see that happening this year. Other than that, this seems to be on target. I'd like to see us score a lot more than 3, but at this time the prediction looks pretty realistic.

[Charlie NT 73]

Will the weather come into play with this game?

Ike could be dumping major rain storms in the Baton

Rouge area Saturday night, so could the rain balance

out the game for both teams?

The LSU team has just finished dealing with the effects of

hurricane Gustov last week, now hurricane Ike is comming

in. Could hurricane Ike be in the minds of the players?

The LSU team has played only one game, against Appy

State two weeks ago. Even Coach Miles said Appy State

receivers dropped too many passes that could have changed

how the game played out. If these receivers were open

to recieve passes, can the NT recievers can get open too.

LSU views the game as a "tune up" before SEC play. Do you think

the LSU staff will show everything they have in this game, with

Auburn comming up next week?

LSU has Auburn the following week, a game the LSU fans

are focusing on, so maybe LSU is more concerned about

Auburn than North Texas. Maybe a North Texas advantage?

I think NT will do much better than 3 points, and alot closer

than by 50.