Capital One Bowl

Opening Line: Nittany Lions -2.5 / Tigers +2.5 O/U 43.5
1 PM EST Friday January 1, 2010 on ABC

by Marasoft.com Staff

In the Capital One Bowl the Penn State Nittany Lions face the LSU Tigers. The Tigers were oh so close to playing in a BCS game, as they lost 3 games in the 4th quarter including losses to Florida and Alabama. If the Tigers win this game they will have won 10 games for the 4th time in the last 5 seasons. Penn State was also close to playing in a BCS bowl game, but their loss to Ohio State in their season finale dashed those hopes. The Tigers lost 2 of their last 3 games and were 1-2 against ranked teams this season. The Nittany Lions won their last 2 games and they were 0-1 vs. ranked teams this season. This game features the solid offense of Penn State against the legit defense of LSU.

This season LSU was 5-6-1 ATS and Penn State was 5-6 ATS.

In their last games of the season LSU beat Arkansas 33-30 in OT and Penn State crushed Michigan State 42-14.

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Penn State and their 36th ranked offense is led by QB Daryll Clark (2,787 yds 23 TD 1- INT). He has a solid receiving corps and he is joined in the backfield by RB Evan Royster (1,104 yds 6 TD), who averaged a hair under 6 yards per carry this season. Clark has to hold onto the ball, as he has had turnover problems in his career, especially against teams that have good defenses. LSU may have to win this game on defense, as they do not have a high scoring offense and their big horse is banged up and may not play. The Tigers have the nation's 28th ranked defense and they have to keep this a low scoring game or they will be in trouble.

LSU and their 108th ranked offense is led by QB Jordan Jefferson (1,964 yds 16 TD 6 INT). The strength of the Tigers on offense is their rushing attack led by RB Charles Scott, but he is questionable for this game after breaking his collarbone a few weeks back. The Tigers really need Scott, as backups Keiland Williams (broken ankle) and Richard Murphy (knee) are probably out for this game. The Penn State defense ranks 8th in the nation, rank 10th nationally against the run (93.9 ypg), and allows the fourth-fewest points per game (11.8). The Nittany Lions have a great LB corps so the LSU offensive line really has to play well in this game.

The Nittany Lions are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games and the Tigers are 6-12-1 ATS in their last 19 games.

The Marasoft Pick: Penn State