2016 Citrus Bowl Preview: LSU vs Louisville
The 2016 Citrus Bowl matches up two quality teams who finished the season in good fashion. Both LSU and Louisville will take the field on Saturday in search of a bowl win, and one that is desperately needed for both teams. LSU didn’t exactly have the season they wanted. For Louisville, Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson has yet another game to show his skills and prove why he won the prestigious award.
This match-up brings forth two of the better teams in college football as far as the season was concerned. Even though both teams lost multiple games that hurt their playoff chances, LSU and Louisville still have one more game to try and notch another win on a great season. The Tigers come into the game with a record of 7-4, while the Cardinals sit at 9-3. From the start of the season, Jackson was the front-runner for the Heisman and never looked back. He shredded defenses all season long with his throwing and running abilities, and ultimately displayed some of the best mobility ever witnessed.
Both teams have reasons to win this game, and for good reasons. LSU is trying to solidify their dominance throughout college football once again. A win over the high-profiled Cardinals would make that claim closer to being relevant again. For Louisville, this game is all for Jackson to once again showcase his dynamic skills and lead his team to victory.
Keys to the game for LSU:
Tigers’ rushing attack. The running game for the Tigers has been up and down all season long with Leonard Fournette being out due to injury. Unfortunately, he will skip the bowl game and focus on the NFL Draft. That being said, Derrius Guice will now lead the backfield from here on out. For the Tigers to have a shot at winning this game, Guice has to ‘run angry’ and find the end zone multiple times against a studded Louisville defense.
Danny Etling must make accurate throws all over the field. Etling has been effective as the Tigers quarterback ever since coming in during the second game of the season. If left in the pocket for long enough, Etling will have the ability to find open receivers who can get extra yards on short passes, or catch long throws and take it to the house.
Defense is key. This LSU defense has been on point all season long. With the likes of Tre’Davious White, Kevin Toliver, and Jamal Adams, the Tigers could potentially hold Lamar Jackson to under 200 total yards which could win the Tigers the game.
Keys to victory for Louisville:
Lamar Jackson must showcase his skills the full 60 minutes. Jackson has been shut down in a few games this season, but he never quits at giving it his all. The sophomore quarterback is the best at his position, and it showed throughout the season. If he can shred the LSU defense through the whole game, then the Cardinals are set up for a win.
Receivers must catch passes if open. Louisville’s receivers will have a difficult time getting open against LSU’s safeties and cornerbacks. If the receivers can find open space, then Jackson can throw perfect passes that could lead to six points.
Defense will have to step up. The Cardinals defense will need to be on their toes when they face the dynamic LSU offense. With Guice running the ball, the Cardinals will have to make open field tackles and not allow him to get into open space. If the defense can contain Guice and the offense, then Louisville will have a shot at winning this game.
Prediction: LSU 31, Louisville 17
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