Despite what most thought would be a rebuilding year, the LSU Tigers head into the
Outback Bowl with a chance to win their 10th game of the year. It would mark the fourth
consecutive season the Tigers have accomplished that feat, a school record.
The Iowa Hawkeyes also head into the Outback bowl with momentum. Not only did they
hammer Nebraska 38-17 in their season finale, but they also increased their win total by
four games from the previous season.
Will the Tigers keep their consecutive 10-win season streak alive, or will the Hawkeyes
put an exclamation mark on their return back to relevancy?
Why Iowa can win this game
LSU had a record-setting season throwing the football. However, the Tigers will be
without their starting quarterback, who was lost for the season after injuring a knee
against Arkansas in the regular-season finale.
Freshman Anthony Jennings came off the bench and
made the game-winning touchdown throw in the waning
minutes against the Razorbacks. Still, he is no Zach
Mettenberger, and Iowa’s defense is much better than
Arkansas’. Asking Jennings to sustain the kind of
success Mettenberger had is unreasonable.
That will put the pressure on the LSU running game, and Iowa has one of the best
linebacker units in college football. The Iowa defense is ranked No. 7 in the nation in
overall defense (303.2 yards per game) and No. 17 against the run (120.8 ypg).
On offense, Iowa has a strong trio of running backs that includes Mark Weisman,
Damon Bullock and Jordan Canzeri. This, combined with the fact that the LSU defense
has not met its usual standard of excellence stopping the run, could lead to a big game
on the ground for the Hawkeyes.
Why LSU can win this game
While it is true that the Tigers will be breaking in a new quarterback, he will have at his
disposal perhaps the best one-two punch at wide receiver in college football. Odell
Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry have combined for 2,289 yards receiving and 18
touchdowns.