Tag: Ed Orgeron

Drew Brees congratulates Joe Burrow for winning Heisman Trophy

New Orelans Saints quarterback Drew Brees took time to congratulate neighboring LSU Tigers passer Joe Burrow for winning the Heisman Trophy.

[jwplayer Nidd9B2w-ThvAeFxT]

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is busy preparing for his team’s big “Monday Night Football” kickoff with the Indianapolis Colts, but he took time to record a special message of congratulations for LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow, who won the 2019 Heisman Trophy on Saturday night.

Burrow did so while running a revamped Tigers offense that took a lot of inspiration from New Orleans, thanks to the addition of former Saints assistant Joe Brady to LSU coach Ed Orgeron’s staff (Brady won the Broyles Award, which recognizes the best assistant coach in the nation). And as fate would have it, Burrow wears the same jersey as Brees (No. 9), giving fans of both teams plenty of familiarity.

“Just wanted to tell you congratulations on winning the Heisman,” Brees said in a video shared from the Saints’ official Twitter account. “So well deserved. Such a phenomenal season. So much fun to watch. So congrats man, you deserve it, and enjoy it.” You can find his full comments in the video embedded below, or at this link.

However, Brees took time to emphasized what really matters the most: LSU’s bid to win a national championship. “But I know there’s still work to be done, you guys have a great opportunity ahead of you. Stay focused, keep your mind right, keep your team together. Man I know you deserve it, your team deserves it, Tiger Nation deserves it, South Louisiana deserves it. Go take it one at a time. Let’s go get it.”

[lawrence-related id=23884,14522,16064,24539]

[vertical-gallery id=24372]

What LSU’s Ed Orgeron had to say about Oklahoma, College Football Playoff

After a 13-0 season with a high-flying offense opposed to the old-school football mindset, LSU climbed up to No. 1 and will be the top dog.

After a 13-0 season with a high-flying offense at a school known for its pedestrian offensive mindset, LSU climbed up to No. 1 and will be the top dog in the College Football Playoff.

The Tigers opponent will be No. 4 Oklahoma.

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron was joined on a teleconference by three Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl representatives and OU head coach Lincoln Riley.

Here is what Orgeron said about making the College Football Playoff and playing Oklahoma.

Opening comment: 

“On behalf of our football team, the great state of Louisiana, we would like to thank the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl for inviting us to such a great game.

Coach Riley, I’ve been following him all his career. He’s done a tremendous job at Oklahoma. Oklahoma has a great tradition, outstanding football team. It’s going to be an outstanding battle. We’re excited to go back to Atlanta and play the College Football Playoffs.”

On Jalen Hurts and the Oklahoma offense:

“Obviously, we’ve played against him before. He’s an outstanding player, and he actually beat us with his feet. He made big plays with his feet, and he threw the ball very well. I haven’t watched him at all this year, but I have watched Coach Riley’s offense, especially that counter read. I’ve asked him about it. I think they’re one of the best in the country in running what they do on offense. They’re very difficult to stop.”

On making the College Football Playoff the first time:

“You know, it says a lot about your team to get in the College Football Playoffs, especially playing in the conference that we play. So obviously, it’s an accomplishment, but it’s not the final destination.

“I know our team is taking it one game at a time. The next scheduled game is Oklahoma so that’s what we’ll focus on, just like Oklahoma is. One game at a time. Let’s see where it takes us.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Lincoln Riley makes initial College Football Playoff, LSU comments

Oklahoma got the official word. The Sooners are going back to the College Football Playoff. Here is what Riley said about it.

Mid-Sunday morning, Oklahoma got the official word.

The Sooners were officially the No. 4 team in the College Football Playoff and would be playing No. 1 LSU in Atlanta at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley was reportedly already out on the road recruiting, so he didn’t have much time to comment on his team making its destination. There was, however, a 20-minute teleconference with three Peach Bowl representatives and LSU head coach Ed Orgeron.

Here are Riley’s initial comments on making the College Football Playoff and playing LSU.

Opening comment on the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl:

“We’re certainly excited to get to Atlanta. Certainly an honor to come in there and compete once again in the College Football Playoff against a tremendous LSU team that’s played very well all season, beaten a lot of really good football teams.

“Obviously, have a ton of respect for Coach Orgeron, their staff, their players. What a great year that they’ve had. And the College Football Playoff is what it should be, the best teams in the country getting ready to go at it.

“Should be, certainly, an exciting time. I know our players, staff are excited to come to Atlanta, represent Oklahoma, and very excited to go compete.”

Improvements on defense and matchup with LSU’s offense:

“Defensively, no doubt we’ve played very well this year. Give Coach Grinch, our staff a lot of credit. And then our players, the guys have bought into a new system, a new coach, new mentality certainly on that side of the ball. While we’re still improving, we have done a lot of good things and, we think, made some good progress.

Obviously, LSU is tough to stop. They’ve done a great job all year. Joe Burrow’s had a great run, obviously played extremely well at the quarterback position. A lot of dynamic playmakers on the outside. And from what I’ve been able to see so far, their offensive line has done a great job as well.

So give them credit. They’re really good. They do a great job. It’s fortunate for us we do, through the years, get to see a bunch of really good offenses. This will certainly be as good as they face.”

On making the Playoff this year being important to maintain status:

“For us, right now, it’s just kind of we’re in the middle of it so I wouldn’t say there’s that big picture view of having the chance to make it several times over the last few years. I mean, that’s obviously a positive thing but, I mean, this is about this team and this match-up right now.

The thing in this playoff is you’re going to play great teams, and you’re going to have to play really well. Everybody here is going to have to play well to beat the other teams, and that’s how it should be.

So it’s certainly important. It’s a good accomplishment, but it’s not, certainly not our end goal. Our focus will be trying to play our very best here on the 28th.”

On Jalen Hurts playing at Mercedes Benz Stadium before:

“I mean, I don’t think it hurts. Does it make a huge difference? I don’t know. Probably having played in the playoffs and handling just all the hype and all the outside noise that comes along with this, I would think he’s going to be as prepared as anybody going into that.

But obviously, he’s doing it in a different place. This is a different LSU team. I mean, there’s so many different factors too. So if it is an advantage, that’s great, but we’ve got to go take it for what it is right now, and that’s just, again, kind of staying here in the present.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Kickoff time, broadcast details set for Oklahoma-LSU in the College Football Playoff

The kickoff times are set. No. 4 Oklahoma and No. 1 LSU will be the first game of the College Football Playoff Saturday in three weeks. 

The kickoff times are set.

No. 4 Oklahoma (12-1) and No. 1 LSU (13-0) will be the first game of the College Football Playoff Saturday in three weeks.

The Sooners and Tigers will kickoff at 3 p.m. CT in Atlanta at the Chick Fil A Peach Bowl with the game being broadcasted on ESPN.

Oklahoma got an afternoon game against Clemson in the 2015 Orange Bowl, an afternoon game against Georgia in the 2018 Rose Bowl and then one night game against Alabama in the 2018 Orange Bowl.

This 3 p.m. CT kickoff will be the first afternoon game the Sooners have played in all year. Oklahoma has played in six morning games and seven night games.

No. 1 LSU and No. 4 Oklahoma will kickoff at 3 p.m. CT on Dec. 28 in a College Football Playoff from Atlanta in the Chick Fil A Peach Bowl.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Oklahoma makes third-straight College Football Playoff, will play LSU

It’s routine. Lincoln Riley and Oklahoma drop one inexplicable loss, win-out after that and then win the Big 12 Championship. 

It’s routine.

Lincoln Riley and Oklahoma drop one inexplicable loss, win-out after that and then win the Big 12 Championship.

That was the truth once again in 2019, as Kansas State upset the Sooners 48-41 on Oct. 26 and the College Football Playoff committee just announced that Oklahoma is heading back to the College Football Playoff.

Oklahoma will take on No. 1 LSU in the 2019 College Football Playoff on Dec. 28. It is the third-straight year for Riley and the Sooners to make the College Football Playoff and the fourth in five years.

Oklahoma finished the season with a 30-23 overtime thrilling win over Baylor in the Big 12 Championship. The Sooners won four of their last five games by one possession.

They needed another Oregon loss, an Alabama loss or two, a Penn State loss to Minnesota, a Georgia loss and maybe a Utah loss. Chaos is what Oklahoma needed, and that is what the Sooners got.

In 2015, Clemson beat Oklahoma in 37-17 in the College Football Playoff. 2017, Georgia won a Rose Bowl classic in overtime over Oklahoma and in 2018, the Sooners loss 45-34 to Alabama.

No. 4 Oklahoma and No. 1 LSU will meet for the first time since the two met in the 2003 National Championship. The Sooners and Tigers will have three weeks off before meeting in Atlanta.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Bad luck for the Dawgs: Joe Burrow passes to Joe Burrow

Following several dropped passes on offense, Georgia’s luck got worse.

Following several dropped passes on offense, Georgia’s luck got worse.

This prolonged a drive that ultimately led to a questionable catch ruled as a touchdown.

 

Watch: LSU’s coach Ed Orgeron does jumping jacks in warm-ups

The SEC Championship Game between the Georgia Bulldogs and LSU Tigers featured LSU’s Coach Ed Orgeron doing jumping jacks.

The SEC Championship Game between the Georgia Bulldogs and LSU Tigers is as important of a game as there is in college football. With playoff berths on the line, there’s another level of energy to the game.

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron is bringing that energy in pregame warm-ups:

Although there’s been more fundamental jumping jacks, it is good to see Coach O fired up! He’s one of the most likable figures in college sports.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

How Georgia football’s defense can limit LSU QB Joe Burrow

UGA’s defense allows 10.4 PPG. It’s the best defense LSU has seen all year. The Tigers’ offense is the best the Dawgs will face in 2019.

Georgia’s defense is giving up 10.4 points per game and is by all metrics the best defense LSU has played all year. The Tigers’ offense is the best that the Dawgs have faced in 2019 and is led by Joe Burrow, who will likely have his name inscribed onto the Heisman Trophy in a few short weeks.

Burrow has completed an insane 314 of his 401 passing attempts (78.3%), has thrown an even more insane 44 touchdowns, and has amassed 4366 passing yards, enough to make him the SEC record holder for passing yards in a single season.

Those numbers are staggering and present a daunting task for the Silver Britches. But if any unit can possibly limit Joe Burrow, it’s the Bulldogs’ smothering defense.

The Tigers’ quarterback is poised and methodical with an ability to scramble outside the pocket the extend plays. He keeps his eyes downfield and has the speed to roll out and tuck the ball for quick gains to the sideline.

For the Junkyard Dawgs to diminish Burrow’s prowess, they need to keep him in the pocket. Rushing three men while dropping eight, including a spy linebacker eyeing the quarterback, keeps Georgia’s defense in a man free alignment that can negate big plays and contain Louisiana State’s explosive offense.

In 2019, several SEC West teams have used this formation in attempt to confuse Burrow to no avail, but Georgia’s speedy and physical defense possesses better athletes than any defensive group the Tigers have seen thus far, save for Alabama (which is debatable).

All of this is much easier said than done against a team with the Southeastern Conference’s best performing signal caller and an embarrassment of riches at the wide receiver position, which includes Biletnikoff Award finalists Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. If Georgia’s secondary can maintain man coverage downfield while the front seven can keeping a spy on Burrow, they can hand LSU their first loss of the year.

Matchup preview: Georgia’s defense against LSU’s offense

Georgia enters the SEC Championship ranked fourth in total defense. LSU is ranked second in total offense. Something’s gotta give.

Georgia enters the SEC Championship ranked fourth in total defense behind playoff locks Ohio State and Clemson and playoff hopeful Utah. They’ve given up the fewest touchdowns (12) in FBS.

LSU’s offense is led by Joe Burrow, the Heisman Trophy frontrunner who recently broke the Southeastern Conference record for passing yards in a single season.

The Tigers are ranked second in total offense and thus poses the greatest threat that the historically great 2019 Georgia defense has yet seen.

Something’s gotta give, right?

It’s worth noting that LSU’s main offensive strength plays well against the Georgia defense’s primary weakness whereas the Silver Britches’ defensive strengths play well against LSU’s offensive weakness.

Maybe the Tigers shouldn’t be labeled a “pass first” offense, but they have attempted 25 more passes than runs on the year (438 to 413). The Dawgs’ secondary has been great but is at times prone to giving up chunk yardage in quick passing plays. As we saw against Auburn, Georgia’s cornerbacks tackle well but occasionally have trouble covering in quick-release short-yardage scenarios.

Without opponents stacking the box in anticipation of a possible pass, LSU’s air attack in turn opens things up for a group of tailbacks who have accumulated more yards than any of the Bulldogs’ prior competion excluding Kentucky (who have rushed for over 3000 yards this season despite only gaining 160 ground yards in a rain-plagued contest in Athens).

Behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s 1233 solo rushing yards, the Tigers have combined for 2299 yards on the ground.

Georgia’s defense is second in the nation in rushing defense, giving up 71 ground yards per game and having allowed only 16 plays of over ten yards rushing this season. They’ve given up just 852 yards this year. The Junkyard Dawgs have proven they can contain tailbacks.

With a Heisman hopeful and one of the most talented group of wide receivers in college football, LSU will almost certainly attempt more passes than runs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday. Now more than ever, expect Ed Orgeron’s Tigers to go to the air against a defense that can stop tailbacks before they get a chance to run.

For a full statistical breakdown of how the Dawgs match up against the Tigers, click here.

Texas A&M at LSU odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Texas A&M at LSU college football matchup, with NCAA football betting odds, picks and best bets

The Texas A&M Aggies (7-4, 4-3) will head to Death Valley in Baton Rouge, La., for a meeting with the second-ranked LSU Tigers (11-0, 7-0) on Saturday night. The SEC matchup will kick off at 7 p.m. ET from Tiger Stadium.

We analyze the Texas A&M-LSU odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Texas A&M at LSU: Three things you need to know

1. The Tigers rank third in the country in scoring and second in passing yards this season, and the Texas A&M defense ranks tied for 25th and 22nd in each defensive category, respectively.

2. LSU safety Grant Delpit is expected to play after missing last week’s game against Arkansas with an ankle injury. OT Saahdiq Charles is also expected to return — and start — after being held out the last two games and six overall for “coach’s decisions.”

3. The Aggies had won four straight games before losing at Georgia last week 19-13. They scored at least 24 points in each of their previous six games.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Texas A&M at LSU: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 1:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

LSU 42, Texas A&M 28

Moneyline (ML)

The Tigers have been the best team in the country all season and they’re not going to trip up this late in the season. They will win this game by at least two touchdowns, which is why the moneyline of -770 for LSU is so steep.

It’s not worth putting any money down on this one for either team to win straight up, and you’d be better off going against the spread. The Tigers never lose at home in night games, but the low return on LSU isn’t worth the risk.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on LSU to win would return a profit of $1.30.

Against the Spread (ATS)

LSU is a 16.5-point home favorite. Death Valley is going to be rocking, as it always is for night games. The Tigers are 5-2 ATS vs. teams with a winning record, but they’ve only covered the spread in one of their last five home games.

The Aggies upset LSU last season 74-72 in a wild 7 OT shootout, and they’ll at least keep this one relatively close. Bet TEXAS A&M (+16.5, -106) to cover the spread.

Over/Under (O/U)

The over/under of 61.5 is pretty high, but both offenses are playing well right now. LSU’s defense hasn’t been great in recent weeks, either, so the Aggies will be able to score. The total has gone over in 11 of the Tigers’ last 14 games and is 4-0-1 in LSU’s last five November games.

Bet OVER 61.5 (-106) in this game.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @camdasilva and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1623]