What would a LSU-Oklahome State betting line be?
November 18th 2011 21:45
Tonight the Oklahoma State Cowboys go to Ames, Iowa to play the Iowa State Cyclones on a primetime Friday night college football matchup. I've really become a fan of Oklahoma State since the Mike Gundy "where are we at in society today" rant when he defended his quarterback Bobby Reid. It doesn't hurt when you have a billionaire alum able to "donate" portions of his billions to "upgrading" all of the facilities and, well players on the field of competition.
Brandon Weeden isn't even the best player on his team but the 28 year old senior is in the race for the Heisman Trophy. Weeden could be considered the frontrunner for the Heisman but 14 of his 31 touchdowns have gone to the Cowboys' best player in wideout Justin Blackmon. I really like what the Cowboys are doing right now but their revenge game at home against Oklahoma is what will determine their destiny. Assuming Oklahoma doesn't overlook the Cyclones tonight as 27 point favorites, I started to ask myself what a betting line between LSU and Oklahoma State would be.
Obviously this is all circumstantial but for the sake of discussion let's pretend LSU and Oklahoma State meet up in the BCS game. It's always interesting to me when you get two teams with contrasting styles pinned against one another in any sport because it makes the creation of the line so fascinating. I liken Oregon and Oklahoma State as identical twins in many respects. Both with potent quick-strike offenses. Their defenses are porous at times but thrive on speed and forcing turnovers to get the ball back to their offenses.
LSU, on the other hand, defines the rough and tumble type of football played i the SEC. It's not an offensive conference , nor a very innovative one either. It's line up and hit you in the mouth football, which not a lot of teams are good at doing anymore. One of the things that made Auburn unique last season was their physical SEC defense to go with the best all around offensive player in the country. That kind of combination is scary good. Oregon closed as a one point favorite and the total was 74. Auburn won and the score didn't even combine to sniff 50 points.
That is the thing about teams and coaches being able to prepare for offenses, even explosive offenses. I think the defenses benefit from the 5 weeks off the during the bowls because that allows a defense like LSU to scheme their defense in ways Oklahoma State would not see until the start of the game. Likewise, the Cowboys aren't really going to be surprised by the LSU offense with the exception of some gadget plays perhaps to keep their defense honest.
I think oddsmakers would have to give respect to the Cowboys' offense and pin the total between 55-60. There are so many things that can go unaccounted for that can push that total with big special teams plays and turnovers. But the style of play for both teams has to indicate the total would have to be placed lower than last year's championship. I see Vegas making LSU a three point favorite on the neutral site just because this team is so talented on defense and has enough playmakers on offense with the excpetion of Lee and Jefferson merry-go-round at quarterback. LSU can matchup so well with almost any team in the country and the way they dictate the tempo of games this season is pretty remarkable. I'd like to see Oklahoma State get in there and win one for their greatest booster T. Boone Pickens!
Brandon Weeden isn't even the best player on his team but the 28 year old senior is in the race for the Heisman Trophy. Weeden could be considered the frontrunner for the Heisman but 14 of his 31 touchdowns have gone to the Cowboys' best player in wideout Justin Blackmon. I really like what the Cowboys are doing right now but their revenge game at home against Oklahoma is what will determine their destiny. Assuming Oklahoma doesn't overlook the Cyclones tonight as 27 point favorites, I started to ask myself what a betting line between LSU and Oklahoma State would be.
Obviously this is all circumstantial but for the sake of discussion let's pretend LSU and Oklahoma State meet up in the BCS game. It's always interesting to me when you get two teams with contrasting styles pinned against one another in any sport because it makes the creation of the line so fascinating. I liken Oregon and Oklahoma State as identical twins in many respects. Both with potent quick-strike offenses. Their defenses are porous at times but thrive on speed and forcing turnovers to get the ball back to their offenses.
LSU, on the other hand, defines the rough and tumble type of football played i the SEC. It's not an offensive conference , nor a very innovative one either. It's line up and hit you in the mouth football, which not a lot of teams are good at doing anymore. One of the things that made Auburn unique last season was their physical SEC defense to go with the best all around offensive player in the country. That kind of combination is scary good. Oregon closed as a one point favorite and the total was 74. Auburn won and the score didn't even combine to sniff 50 points.
That is the thing about teams and coaches being able to prepare for offenses, even explosive offenses. I think the defenses benefit from the 5 weeks off the during the bowls because that allows a defense like LSU to scheme their defense in ways Oklahoma State would not see until the start of the game. Likewise, the Cowboys aren't really going to be surprised by the LSU offense with the exception of some gadget plays perhaps to keep their defense honest.
I think oddsmakers would have to give respect to the Cowboys' offense and pin the total between 55-60. There are so many things that can go unaccounted for that can push that total with big special teams plays and turnovers. But the style of play for both teams has to indicate the total would have to be placed lower than last year's championship. I see Vegas making LSU a three point favorite on the neutral site just because this team is so talented on defense and has enough playmakers on offense with the excpetion of Lee and Jefferson merry-go-round at quarterback. LSU can matchup so well with almost any team in the country and the way they dictate the tempo of games this season is pretty remarkable. I'd like to see Oklahoma State get in there and win one for their greatest booster T. Boone Pickens!
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Comment by Joe Soriano
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Comment by Joe Soriano
Pro Sports Wrap
Orble Sport Blog
Comment by Joe Soriano
Pro Sports Wrap
Orble Sport Blog