No. 12 LSU opens the season with an intriguing non-conference clash against No. 20 TCU in Arlington, Texas. This will be the fifth Cowboys Classic. Each team has appeared once and come away victorious.
LSU lost a ton of defensive talent but return their key offensive pieces as they're set to start a brutal schedule that features Georgia and Florida from the SEC East. TCU on the other hand has yet to announce a starting quarterback for the game. The job will be given to either Trevone Boykin or Casey Pachall, who started the first four games last season before leaving the team as a result of a drunk driving arrest.
Quarterback Zach Mettenberger, running back Jeremy Hill (12 TDs in 2012) and wideouts Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. form the core of a potentially explosive LSU offense. Mettenberger threw for 2,609 yards last season but only had 120 in the Chick-fil-A Bowl game loss to Clemson. His coaches want him to use his strong arm to attack downfield more this year. LSU ranked 11th in the SEC in passing last year, throwing 12 touchdown passes in 13 contests.
The TCU defense is one of the best in the Big 12 and if Casey Pachall (10 touchdowns, one interception in four games before his arrest) wins the job and picks up where he left off, the Horned Frogs could contend for a conference title. Running back Waymon James (1,556 career rushing yards) also returns after missing most of last season with a knee injury but defensive end Devonte Fields, an All-American candidate, is suspended for the first two games. Another player to watch will be cornerback Jason Verrett, who had 63 tackles, six interceptions and 16 pass breakups last season
The Tigers are 3-1 SU and ATS as favorites of 3½ to 10 points over the last two seasons while the Horned Frogs are 3-3 ATS as underdogs of 3½ to 10 points since 2011 and 0-3 ATS in their last three games on a neutral field.
Game Information:
When: 9:00 PM ET, August 31
Where: Cowboys Stadium
Line: LSU -3½ at BetAnySports
Total: 49½
Coverage: ESPN/WatchESPN
Weather: 101° F/ 38° C
Partly Cloudy
Last meeting: No previous meeting
No. 12 LSU Tigers (0-0) vs. No. 20 TCU Horned Frogs (0-0) Preview
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