Clash of Powerhouse This Weekend

Clash of Powerhouse This Weekend
by Mike Neri

No. 4 LSU at No. 18 Georgia: Revenge? The LSU Tigers (4-0 SU/0-3 ATS) suffered three thumping defeats last season, and one was to Georgia, 52-38. Sophomore QB Jordan Jefferson (7 TDs, 1 INT) leads a talented, balance offense, one with speed and athleticism. The offense has been good (28 ppg), but Head Coach Les Miles said, "We're not hitting on all cylinders just yet." That was the case again last Saturday in 30-26 victory over Mississippi State, need a late goal line stand to save the day.

Georgia (3-1 SU/1-3 ATS) has been shaky on offense behind senior QB Joe Cox (9 TDs, 4 picks). He threw for 5 TDs and 375 yards in a wild 52-41 win over Arkansas, but threw 2 picks in Saturday's 20-17 win over Arizona State. The defense, which had been good, was torched, giving up 485 yards (400 passing) to Arkansas, but was great against ASU.

Down south, No. 8 Oklahoma heads to No. 17 Miami. Oklahoma (2-1 SU, 1-1 ATS) has had two weeks to prepare and has been on a tear, winning 64-0 over Idaho State and 45-0 over Tulsa. Of course, that doesn't erase the opener, a loss to BYU when junior QB Sam Bradford got knocked out. Bradford will not play this game. Redshirt freshman Landry Jones continues to be OU's starting quarterback. He has 9 TDs, 3 picks, 673 yards, but against BYU was 6 of 12 for 51 yards. The Sooners are on an 8-2 run over the total.

Oklahoma defense is the nation's No. 1 run defense, allowing 40.6 rushing yards per game, the No. 1 scoring defense, allowing 4.6 points per game, and No. 4 in sacks allowed, averaging four per game. Miami has been the public darlings in September, with an exciting passing attack behind sophomore QB Jacory Harris (5 TDs, 3 INTs) and new offensive coordinator in Mark Whipple, who has rolled out his version of a pro-style offense that comes with a thick playbook.

But they ran into a fired-up defense Saturday that thrashed them, a 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech. The suspect Miami defense got steamrolled allowing 275 rushing yards, while the offense stalled in the rain with 209 total yards. Miami is 22-14 under the total the last three+ years, and 20-30 ATS the last four seasons. UM's rushing offense is 93rd in the country.

The Jets at the Saints is the most fascinating matchup on the NFL card. Not only are they unbeaten (and a perfect 6-0 SU/ATS), but it's a classic battle of a dominating defense against an unstoppable air attack. The Jets are playing well on offense despite a conservative approach with rookie QB Mark Sanchez (4 TDs, 2 picks, 606 yards). Sanchez is the first rookie quarterback to start and win his team's first three games of a season.

However, the NY secondary is hurting: NY Jets cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland miss second straight practices. The Saints had the top offense in the NFL last season and look even better after crushing the Lions, 45-27, the Eagles, 48-22, and the Bills, 27-7. QB Drew Brees (9 TDs, 2 picks) has been sensational, with 358 yards on 26-of-34 passing against the Lions and 311 yards (25-of-34) against the Eagles.

The Saints hired defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, (he ran the Texas defense during their 2005 championship run) and they have a more aggressive style of play that relies on blitzing and creating turnovers. They are 10th in total defense. The Saints are 5-1 ATS their last 6 against the Jets. So what do you prefer: offense or defense?

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