Fiesta Bowl: LSU Tigers vs UCF Knights

Clash of Styles Between LSU and UCF

The LSU Tigers and the UCF Knights will on Tuesday at University of Phoenix Stadium. They will be playing in the 2019 Playstation Fiesta Bowl.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: LSU -7; O/U: 56.5.

Seventh-ranked Central Florida is going for its second straight perfect season on New Years Day. No. 11 LSU stands in the way. The Knights ended last season 13-0 and with a 34-27 victory over Auburn in the Peach Bowl. They won their final two games this year without star quarterback McKenzie Milton. He suffered a serious knee injury early in the regular-season finale.

The starting quarterbacks will offer quite a contrast in experience and style in this matchup. LSU's Joe Burrow averages 208.3 yards passing. Ohio State transfer, Darriel Mack Jr is a dual-threat quarterback that taxes the defense at all times. Burrow finished the season strong with six touchdown passes and no interceptions in the last three games. He rushed for 100 yards in the wild regular season finale against Texas A&M. It was a 74-72 loss in seven overtimes. Mack ran for 120 yards in his first career start against East Carolina on Oct. 20. He then threw for 348 yards in the American Athletic Conference championship game against Memphis. The Knights rallied from 17 points down for a 56-41 win.

The Knights are fifth in the nation in rushing offense at 276.5 yards per game. They have five healthy players with at least four touchdowns and 250 yards on the ground. They are led by sophomore Greg McCrae, who has 1,101 yards and nine TD's. The Tigers will be playing in the 50th bowl game in their history. They have limited opponents to 139.3 yards per contest on the ground. Linebacker Devin White leads the way with 115 tackles, with 12 for a loss. If UCF is forced to go to the air more often, LSU is tied for 12th in the nation with 16 interceptions. Fve of those are by defensive back Grant Delpit. Star corner Greedy Williams, who has two interceptions and nine pass breakups, will sit out the game to prepare for the NFL draft.

This, That, and a Dart Throw

The LSU Tigers were 9-3 overall and 5-3 in the SEC during the regular season. Burrow has thrown for 2,500 yards and 12 touchdowns, but only completing 57.4 percent of his passes. Justin Jefferson has been the top target with 50 catches, 788 yards, and four TD's. He seems to show up in big games as he had 189 against Georgia and Alabama combined. Nick Brossette waited his turn behind Derrius Guice and Leonard Fournette for three years. He got his chance and took advantage of it. He had 922 yards along with 14 scores to lead LSU's ground attack. Clyde Edwards-Helaire added 626 yards rushing. He had 145 yards in the upset against Georgia. He also chipped seven scores this year.

The UCF Knights were 12-0 overall and 8-0 in the AAC during the regular season. The Knights gave up at least 30 points four times this season, along with 423.6 yards per game. That was 86th in the country. The defense HAS stepped up at key times, including the 38-13 win over Cincinnati. Defensive back Richie Grant leads the team in tackles, with 102, and interceptions with six. Titus Davis led the way in tackles for a loss with 16, and sacks with 6.5. The defense is tied for eighth in the nation in turnovers gained with 26. Adrian Killins Jr. is a threat on the ground and through the air. He had 698 yards and four TD's on the ground and chipped in 385 yards and four TD's receiving. Gabriel Davis had 50 catches, 756 yards and six TD's to lead the receiving stable.

PREDICTION: LSU Tigers 42, UCF Knights 34

Playstation Fiesta Bowl Trends

UCF Knights Trends

• Trend Over is 6-1 in Knights last 7 games as a favorite of 0.5-3.0. Hit % 85.70% (7) O/U 6|1 Push 0 W/L
• Under is 7-2 in Knights last 9 games as a favorite. 77.80% (9) 2|7 0
• Under is 5-1 in Knights last 6 games as a favorite of 10.5 or greater. 83.30% (6) 1|5 0
• Under is 7-2 in Knights last 9 games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0. 77.80% (9) 2|7 0

LSU Tigers Trends

• Trend Under is 4-0 in Tigers last 4 neutral site games as a favorite. Hit % 100.00% (4) O/U 0|4 Push 0 W/L
• Under is 5-1 in Tigers last 6 games as a favorite of 0.5-3.0. 83.30% (6) 6|1 0
• Over is 5-2 in Tigers last 7 neutral site games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0. 71.40% (7) 5|2 0
• Under is 21-7 in Tigers last 28 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0. 75.00% (28) 7|21 0

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