Writer - Manuel DeLeon
Orlando, FL -The 72nd rendition of the Overton Citrus Bowl will pit #14 Notre Dame vs #17 LSU. For the second year in a row the Tigers travels to Orlando to take part in the bowl. Last season LSU downed Louisville 29-9. Sitting at 9-3 and looking for their 10th win of the season, Notre Dame will look to prove doubters wrong after a steady fall in the rankings after some tough losses.
“They are a tremendous football team this year.” Said LSU Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada about their matchup with the Irish. “Obviously, the history, they're a tremendous football program, and it's the same you can say for LSU. This is one of the best programs over time. And certainly this year, what our players have done to come back and finish six out of the last seven with wins in the SEC, which you mentioned, is a great credit to them, and I think it's a tremendous matchup on all sides.”
The running game will be on full display as both the Tigers and Fighting Irish sport two of the best running backs in the country in Derrius Guice for LSU and Josh Adams for Notre Dame.
“I think Josh is a unique back. Like I told a lot of people, he's one of the hardest working superstars I've ever been around. You know, he gets everything he deserves by the way he prepares, by the way he practices, you know, and he's just a product of what he does each and every day. Very good leader, very intelligent.” Said Notre Dame Offensive Coordinator Chip Long.
The Irish come in ranked 7th in the country in rushing offense behind a solid 1,386 rushing yards and nine touchdowns by their junior back. Guice leads and LSU rushing attack that ranks 28rd overall. The Citrus Bowl MVP from last season racked up 1.153 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2017.
LSU’s defense, having played against SEC backs the likes of Kerryon Johnson, John Kelly, and Damien Harris is accustom to playing against running backs the caliber of Adams. The Tigers give up 126 yards on the ground good enough for 21st nationally. Notre Dame brings one of the worst passing offenses in the country passing for just 176 yards per game. Outside of Adams early in the year This Notre Dame offense has been sluggish to say the least.
“I think when you look at Notre Dame, you see a team that's very intelligent, is very physical. It's a team that game plans people. There's a fair amount of scheme in there. And so, I think the challenge is being able to fit everything up and defend, you know, a whole season of different things.” Said LSU Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda.
LSU’s defense ranks 11th overall but will be without star pass rusher Arden Key who’s nursing a finger injury. The junior totaled 33 tackles and four sacks before the injury. The Tigers will be without linebackers Corey Thompson and Donnie Alexander. Thompson led the team with six sack prior to injury.
LSU will rely on a young unexperienced group of linebackers to help fill those roles within the scheme of the defense.
Expect an old-school slugfest kind of game. Three yards and a cloud of dust if you may. A run heavy offense and great defense will be key to both teams reigning victorious as the Citrus Bowl kickoffs on New Year’s Day at 1pm EST.
Prediction - LSU 21-14
“They are a tremendous football team this year.” Said LSU Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada about their matchup with the Irish. “Obviously, the history, they're a tremendous football program, and it's the same you can say for LSU. This is one of the best programs over time. And certainly this year, what our players have done to come back and finish six out of the last seven with wins in the SEC, which you mentioned, is a great credit to them, and I think it's a tremendous matchup on all sides.”
The running game will be on full display as both the Tigers and Fighting Irish sport two of the best running backs in the country in Derrius Guice for LSU and Josh Adams for Notre Dame.
“I think Josh is a unique back. Like I told a lot of people, he's one of the hardest working superstars I've ever been around. You know, he gets everything he deserves by the way he prepares, by the way he practices, you know, and he's just a product of what he does each and every day. Very good leader, very intelligent.” Said Notre Dame Offensive Coordinator Chip Long.
The Irish come in ranked 7th in the country in rushing offense behind a solid 1,386 rushing yards and nine touchdowns by their junior back. Guice leads and LSU rushing attack that ranks 28rd overall. The Citrus Bowl MVP from last season racked up 1.153 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2017.
LSU’s defense, having played against SEC backs the likes of Kerryon Johnson, John Kelly, and Damien Harris is accustom to playing against running backs the caliber of Adams. The Tigers give up 126 yards on the ground good enough for 21st nationally. Notre Dame brings one of the worst passing offenses in the country passing for just 176 yards per game. Outside of Adams early in the year This Notre Dame offense has been sluggish to say the least.
“I think when you look at Notre Dame, you see a team that's very intelligent, is very physical. It's a team that game plans people. There's a fair amount of scheme in there. And so, I think the challenge is being able to fit everything up and defend, you know, a whole season of different things.” Said LSU Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda.
LSU’s defense ranks 11th overall but will be without star pass rusher Arden Key who’s nursing a finger injury. The junior totaled 33 tackles and four sacks before the injury. The Tigers will be without linebackers Corey Thompson and Donnie Alexander. Thompson led the team with six sack prior to injury.
LSU will rely on a young unexperienced group of linebackers to help fill those roles within the scheme of the defense.
Expect an old-school slugfest kind of game. Three yards and a cloud of dust if you may. A run heavy offense and great defense will be key to both teams reigning victorious as the Citrus Bowl kickoffs on New Year’s Day at 1pm EST.
Prediction - LSU 21-14