Saturday, February 4th, 2012
The North Carolina Tar Heels will open up a new college football season with a trip to play SEC power the LSU Tigers in a college football game on prime time Saturday night.
Kick off time from a neutral field in Atlanta Georgia is scheduled for 8PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by ABC TV.
The LVSC college football odds makers have set the betting line in this contest and it came in as a pick with an over under of 42.
The early money from the college football betting public has come in on the SEC team as the LSU Tigers are currently 6 ½ point favorites. The total seen early movement upward to 43.
Money line gamblers playing the favored LSU Tigers will lay -260 odds with the ACC underdog North Carolina Tar Heels bringing back +220 to pull off the upset win without the aid of getting points.
The Tar Heels are experienced as they will return 10 starters to their offense and 9 to their defense for head coach Butch Davis.
The team finished 8-5 last season but fell in their bowl game 19-17 to the Pittsburgh Panthers as a 1 point underdog.
Senior quarterback T.J. Yates returns for North Carolina under center following a 2009 season where he completed 60.3% of his passes for 2136 yards 14 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Yates does not have a strong arm.
Running back Shaun Draughn returns for his senior season. The ball carrier had 596 yards on 124 carries for a 4.6 yards per carry average. Workhorse Ryan Houston contributed with 733 carries and 9 touchdowns in 2009 as he returns for his senior season.
Leading receiver senior Greg Little contributed with 62 catches for 724 yards and 5 touchdowns. Senior tight end Zack Pianalto had 33 catches for a 10.1 yards per catch average.
North Carolina averaged 24 points and 308 offensive yards per game. They had a stout defense the past few season and in 2009 opponents averaged just 17 points and 270 yards per game against the Tar Heels. Opponents averaged only 2.8 yards per rush against North Carolina.
North Carolina faces possible suspensions for this game following academic and NCAA violations. Known for sure at press time is defensive tackle Marvin Austin will not play on Saturday night.
LSU head coach head coach Les Miles enters his 6th season at Baton Rouge. He will have 6 offensive and only 4 defensive starters back in 2010.
The Tigers concluded play in the 2009 season with a 9-4 record but lost in their bowl game 19-17 to Penn St as a 1 point favorite.
Junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson will return under center for LSU. Jefferson completed 61.5% of his passes with 2166 yards 17 touchdowns and 7 picks in 2009. He is also a run threat as he produced 415 yards on 112 carries.
LSU must replace their top two running backs from last season as Charles Scott and Keiland Willams are out of eligibility. Sophomore starting running back Steven Ridley saw limited action in his freshman season with 45 carries and 3 touchdowns for a 4.0 yards per carry average.
Senior wide receiver Terrence Toliver returns after posting 53 catches for a 13.9 yards per catch average and 3 touchdowns last season.
LSU averaged 25 points and 305 offensive yards per game. They struggled through the air for an SEC team with just 182 passing yards per game. Defensively the Tigers were solid allowing 16 points and 328 yards per game.
For the Latest CFB Odds Please Visit our CFB Odds Page
CFB Trend: LSU Tigers are 1-4 ATS in their past 5 games.
Tags: abc tv, betting, college football, lsu tigers, north carolina tar heels, Odds, pick, preview, saturday, september 4th 2010
