Football news and predictions - NFL and NCAA College Football

Sunday, January 6th, 2008 8:00 p.m. est.
Television: ESPN

ALLSTATE BCS National Championship
Louisiana Superdome - New Orleans, Louisiana

(2) LSU Tigers (11-2) vs. (1) Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1)

Ohio State hasn�t played since Nov. 17 and the stretch could make them a bit rusty. In contrast, the hurting Tigers get a chance to restore to health and will be back in New Orleans. The Buckeyes depend on their powerful defense, but the Tigers defense is rock-solid. Can Ohio State break their ghastly eight-game losing streak to the SEC? Don�t think so. Ohio State�s offense led by Todd Boeckman won�t be able to stay with a healthy Louisiana State offense with

quarterback Matt Flynn at the controls. The Tigers earlier this season before their injuries escalated were awesome. Look for the Tigers talented and swift offense with its muscular front seven to seize a victory tonight in the Superdome.

This is just the third all-time meeting between these two teams. Ohio State owns a 1-0-1 record against LSU,
Last Meeting: September 24, 1988 (Ohio State, 36-33 at Ohio State)

Note: The Big Ten champion have won four of its last five bowl games including three in the BCS.

Home Record: LSU 6-1; Ohio State 6-1
Away Record: LSU 4-1; Ohio State 5-0
Neutral Record: LSU 1-0; Ohio State 0-0

Bowl Records:
L-S-U (19-18-1)
Ohio State (18-20 -- 0-1 in BCS National Championship)

Trends:
Ohio State is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Bowl games.
Ohio State is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Ohio State is 23-8 ATS in their last 31 games overall.
Ohio State is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog.
Ohio State is 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. SEC.
Louisiana State is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 bowl games.
Louisiana State is 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Louisiana State is 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite.

Expect a defensive battle, but late in the game LSU will pull away!

Prediction:

Louisiana State Tigers - 4