LSU prepping for Outback Bowl appearance versus Iowa

The 9-3 LSU Tigers are gearing up for their appearance in the Outback Bowl New Year's Day in
Tampa against the 8-4 Iowa Hawkeyes. The Tigers are making their 14th straight bowl appearance
and 45th overall in school history. LSU is in the hunt for its 10th win of the season, which would give the Tigers a school record fourth straight 10-win season. LSU will be out to avenge a 30-25 last- second loss to Iowa on a Hail-Mary pass in the 2005 Capital One Bowl back in 2005 in their only other meeting. Tiger freshman quarterback Anthony Jennings, the hero in LSU's come-back victory over Arkansas, will get the start, replacing the injured Zack Mettenberger.. The game kicks off at noon and will be televised on ESPN. Jennings will become the second quarterback in LSU history to make his first start in a bowl game, joining Matt Flynn, who made his first start in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, a 40-3 win over Miami. Iowa hopes to capitalize on its momentum as they enter the Outback Bowl, riding a three-game winning streak. The Hawkeyes' defense is ranked seventh in the nation.   

Forbes Magazine ranks LSU fourth most valuable team in college football

 Most football fans from around the state realize the impact the LSU football team has on area
economics. To solidify that fact, Forbes Magazine, has ranked the LSU football program as
the fourth most valuable team in college football worth $105 million as reported by the magazine's website. LSU trails only the University of Texas Longhorns ($139 million), the Notre Dame Fighting Irish ($117 million), and the University of Alabama Crimson Tide ($110 million). Forbes Magazine ranked the University of Michigan Wolverines fifth at $100 million. The Florida Gators at No. 6 and the Georgia Bulldogs at No. 8 are the only other Southeastern Conference teams in the top 10.  Other SEC schools in the top 25 rankings include: Auburn at No. 11, Arkansas No. 12, Texas A & M at No. 14, South Carolina is No. 18 and Tennessee holds down the No. 20 position. To determine college football's most valuable teams, Forbes considers each team's value to its athletic department, its university's academic endeavors, its conference and it's school's local economy. LSU is a self-sustaining unit of the university, and it is one of the few athletic departments in the nation that receives no state funding and no student fees. The LSU Athletic Department has committed to transferring $7 million annually to the academic side of the university. The 9-3 Tigers are preparing to meet the 8-4 Iowa Hawkeyes in the Outback Bowl scheduled for Jan. 1 in Tampa.

LSU will square off with Iowa in the Outback Bowl in Tampa

The LSU Fighting Tigers have earned a bowl bid and will perform in the Outback Bowl Jan. 1 in Tampa going against the Iowa Hawkeyes. LSU will be without the services of senior signal caller Zach Mettenberger, who injured his knee in the Tigers' 31-27 victory over Arkansas. Freshman QB Anthony Jennings, who delivered a 99-yard drive, pulled off the victory hitting Travin Dural with a 49-yard game-winning strike

LSU's Anthony Jennings named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week

LSU freshman quarterback Anthony Jennings recognized by SEC.

LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings has been named the SEC Co-Freshman of the Week sharing the
award with Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall. Jennings, who entered the Arkansas game late in the fourth quarter replacing the injured Zach Mettenberger, helped the Tigers' pull out a 31-27 victory over the Razorbacks. Jennings connected with Travin Dural on a 49-yard scoring toss with only 1:15 seconds remaining, capping of a thrilling 99-yard drive. Jennings finished 4-of-7 for 76 yards. He also rushed for 26 yards on three carries including a key 21-yard gain on the game-winning final drive. 

LSU hosting explosive Johnny Manziel and explosive Texas A & M Aggies

 

The 7-3 LSU Tigers host the 8-2 Texas A & M Aggies tomorrow afternoon in Death Valley. The game will be broadcast on CBS with a 2:30 kick off. Both teams are coming off bye weeks. It's no secret the LSU defense faces a tough challenge trying to contain the elusive Johnny Manziel, "Johnny Football." The game has the potential to be a true offensive shootout with the hope that the Tigers' Zach Mettenberger can keep pace with Manziel and the explosive Aggies' offense is scoring at an amazing 49.2 points per game clip, while Mettenberger and the Tigers come in averaging 37.9 points per contest.  LSU is a minus-four in turnovers on the season. The Tigers have turned the ball over 16 times, while just generating 12 turnovers by the defense. Last season, the Tigers excelled in the turnover margin, collecting 33 turnovers, including 18 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries, while only giving up the ball 17 times last year.

LSU can't overcome Alabama second half onslaught

 

LSU hung around for a half in Tuscalousa Saturday night, but the No. 1 ranked Alabama
Crimson Tide left no doubt in the second half, who was the better team, winning the key SEC
battle 38-17. LSU trailed 17-14 at the half and tied it 17-17 in the third quarter, but then ran
out of gas. Alabama moves to 9-0 and 6-0 in conference play, while LSU slips to 7-3 and a
disappointing 3-3 in the SEC. LSU has a bye week and then will host Texas A & M and gunslinger
Johnny Manziel, Nov. 23. Manziel hurled five TD passes in the Aggies' 51-41 victory over Mississippi State throwing for 446 yards.