SEC Game of the Week
Virginia Tech (1-0) at LSU (1-0) 9:15 PM ESPN
Why to Watch: This is the non-conference game we've been waiting eight months for. It's a battle between two of the best defenses in America and two BCS Championship caliber teams in a game that'll go a long way to shaping the national title race. Virginia Tech has to show that the sluggish 17-7 win over East Carolina had more to do with the weight and emotion of the outside circumstances than the potential problems on offense, while the Tigers are looking for the type of early season victory that would cement them in the top two as long as they keep winning. The defenses will be flying around and doing lots and lots of hitting in what should be a heavyweight war for a full sixty minutes. It's a who's who of star defensive players from LSU's Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson, to Virginia Tech's Vince Hall, Xavier Adibi and Brandon Flowers, and it should be your dream come true if you like low scoring slugfests. It's also a dream come true for everyone looking for great games.
Why Virginia Tech Might Win: As long as the Hokies can win the turnover battle, they have a shot. Mississippi State didn't play all that poorly against LSU, considering it was a 45-0 blowout, but it couldn't hang on to the ball and it allowed the Tiger offense to fire away from close range. The LSU attack still needs to prove it can be consistent, and if the Hokies don't screw up, play ball control offense, and force LSU to go on long drives, this will be close throughout. Punter Brent Bowden had a good opening day and should do his part to pin the Tigers deep.
Why LSU Might Win: The Virginia Tech offensive line struggled against East Carolina's defensive front, and LSU's is far better. The Hokie formula has been to play great defense, win the special teams battle, and run effectively, but LSU is all but certain to take RB Branden Ore out of the equation and make QB Sean Glennon try to win the game. Glennon can be effective if he gets time, but the LSU pass rush could be too much for a Hokie line that gave up four sacks last week.
Who to Watch: Call this a validation game for two controversial figures. Glennon started off his season by throwing his first pass for an interception, and then went 22 of 33 for 245 yards and a touchdown against East Carolina. While he's been good at times, he hasn't been consistent, and many see him as the one piece of the puzzle that's holding the Hokies back and keeping them from being a true national title contender. He needs to be razor sharp in his decision making, and he has to be absolutely sure on his throws against a lightning fast Tiger D. For LSU, new offensive coordinator Gary Crowton has to prove to the Tiger faithful that his attack can generate points against a top flight defense. While the Tigers put up 45 points on Mississippi State, the offense was hardly smooth and was helped by a D that forced seven turnovers. Virginia Tech's defense is good at making offenses look bad, but if Crowton is the elite coach he's supposed to be, the LSU offense should still produce.
What Will Happen: The Hokies won 26-8 in Blacksburg in the first and only meeting in 2002, but the Tiger program has progressed by leaps and bounds since then. The Tigers are a little better on defense, and a lot better on offense, so as long as they're patient and don't give the Hokies any big breaks, they'll come up with a tough, somewhat ugly win.
CFN Prediction: LSU 20 ... Virginia Tech 13