LSU Looks More Prepped for Primetime

The Cowboys Classic last night at "Jerry's World" in Dallas was billed as a showdown between two potential BCS Championship contenders.

Only one team left Dallas actually looking like a contender though.

That team was the LSU Tigers, who pulled away in the second half for a 40-27 statement win over the Oregon Ducks.

The Tigers took control late in the third quarter with a pair of touchdowns in a 3:20 span after recovering two De'Anthony Thomas fumbles.  That stretched a 16-13 halftime lead to a much more comfortable 30-13 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

That stretch of the game epitomized the entire night: Oregon made countless mistakes while LSU remained poised and capitalized on Oregon's miscues.

Thomas' two fumbles were part of a four turnover night for the Ducks (compared to only one for LSU).  They also committed 12 penalties for 95 yards, including 4 in the return game.  The majority of their penalties seemed to be momentum and drive killers.

LSU also showed to have superior depth to Oregon.  When LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner were forced to leave with cramps the Ducks had to turn to the freshman Thomas.  LSU on the other hand was able to rotate in different players on both sides of the ball, and also effectively used both Spencer Ware and Michael Ford in the running game.  LSU also got a solid, if unspectacular, night from backup quarterback Jarrett Lee, playing for the suspended Jordan Jefferson.

A big question entering the game was how LSU's defense would handle the speed of Oregon's attack.  Instead Oregon couldn't handle LSU's lines on either side of the ball.  LSU wore down the Ducks defense in the second half, rushing for well more than half of their 175 yards on the ground after halftime.  They also shut down LaMichael James and the Ducks ground game, holding them to 95 yards rushing and only 3.4 yards per carry.  That forced Darron Thomas to throw the ball 54 times which is not Oregon's preference.

Both teams entered the game amid controversy, though LSU definitely had the greater distractions, yet it was the Tigers who entered the game focused and determined to play through adversity.  LSU proved that they are legitimate SEC and BCS contenders.  Oregon has to regroup, focus on winning the Pac 12, and hope for some help.  After tonight though it looks like they are a lot further away than people thought.

But if they can correct things and get some good fortune they could have a return date with the Tigers in the SuperDome come January.

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