Friday, March 9, 2012

Game 20: #17 Michigan St at #1 LSU

If you missed the introduction post about the Playoff, no problem! Read it here: http://short-sideoption.blogspot.com/2012/02/ok-cowboy-cardinal-and-duck-fans-this.html

Michigan St at LSU is the next and last game of the quarterfinal round; but first here are the reality bites:

The Big Ten and SEC are collaborating to push a college football playoff format that both have agreed upon, the University of Florida president speaks about it here:  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/andy_staples/03/08/florida-machen-postseason/

Big East commissioner John Marinatto talks about the goal of Big East expansion, he plans to get to 14 teams by 2015 and is looking for one more western candidate (BYU and Air Force have both rejected offers).  Candidates floating out there are UNLV, New Mexico, Fresno St, and Hawaii.  Read more here:  http://espn.go.com/blog/bigeast/post?id=31031

NCAA president Mark Emmert talks to the Denver Post about momentum gaining for a playoff amongst university presidents, read more here:  http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_20133264/ncaa-chief-emmert-sees-move-toward-football-playoff

Now on with the quarter finals…..




Game 20:  #17 Michigan St at #1 LSU

December 31, 2011
Kickoff:  2:30 pm
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Weather: 58 degrees, cloudy, 6 mph wind

EA Sports Ratings:        Michigan St, Overall: B+, Offense: A-, Defense: B+
                                        LSU, Overall: A, Offense: B+, Defense: A

This would be a good physical football game to watch.  Both of these teams rely on physical defenses and physical running games to win.  This is also a Nick Saban alma mater game; Saban got his first big time college football gig at Michigan St; and of course left Michigan St for LSU where he won a National Title.  This would be a game decided on which defense could force the most mistakes.

1st Quarter:
            -LSU takes to opening drive and scores with a 28 yard TD pass from Jordan Jefferson
to Rueben Randle.                                                                                                           (7-0 LSU)

            -As expected, the defenses control the rest of the qtr until Michigan St scores with a
 37 yard FG from Dan Conroy.                                                                                       (7-3 LSU)

            -Morris Claiborne returns the ensuing kickoff 102 yards for a TD.                                (14-3 LSU)

2nd Quarter:
            -Michigan St scores to open the 2nd qtr with a 1 yard TD run from Edwin Baker.              (14-10 LSU)

            -LSU responds with a 1 yard TD pass from Jordan Jefferson to Kadron Boone.             (21-10 LSU)

            -Michigan St answers right back with a 12 yard TD pass from Kirk Cousins to
             Keshawn Martin.                                                                                                                    (21-17 LSU)

            -LSU scores the final points of the half with a 25 yard FG from Drew Alleman.                 (24-17 LSU)

3rd Quarter:
            -The defenses regain control to start the 2nd half, LSU scores first with an 8 yard
             TD pass from Jordan Jefferson to Kadron Boone.                                                             (31-17 LSU)

            -Michigan St is able to respond before the end of the qtr with a 2 yard TD run from
 Edwin Baker.                                                                                                                        (31-24 LSU)
           
4th Quarter:
            -LSU scores on its first possession in the 4th qtr with a 1 yard TD pass from
             Jordan Jefferson to Russell Shepard.                                                                                  (38-24 LSU)

            -LSU seals the game late with a 15 yard TD pass from Jordan Jefferson to
             Rueben Randle.                                                                                                                     (45-24 LSU)
                       

Michigan St Stats:
Passing:           Kirk Cousins, 21/38, 244 yards, 1 TD
Rushing:           Edwin Baker, 28 att, 135 yards, 2 TD
Receiving:        BJ Cunningham, 9 rec, 157 yards
                         Brian Linthicum, 3 rec, 27 yards

Defense:           1 Sack

Total Offense:   394 yards
Passing:            244 yards
Rushing:            150 yards

LSU Stats
Passing:           Jordan Jefferson, 26/36, 327 yards, 5 TD
Rushing:           Michael Ford, 27 att, 131 yards
Receiving:        Rueben Randle, 7 rec, 118 yards, 2 TD
                         Russell Shepard, 5 rec, 54 yards, 1 TD
Other:               Morris Claiborne, 102 yard KO return for TD
Defense:           2 Sacks

Total Offense:   493 yards
Passing:            327 yards
Rushing:            166 yards


Box Score
           
                                    1Q        2Q        3Q        4Q        T 
Michigan St                    3        14         7           0       24
LSU                              14       10         7          14       45


Next Game:  #6 Arkansas vs #2 Alabama, at the Sugar Bowl

I will post a new game every weekday before noon.

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