Every now and then a miracle happens, an underdog dethrones a superior opponent. You see it in every sport, a surprise knockout in boxing, a 16 seed toppling Virginia, the Red Sox down 3-0 and storming back to beat the Yankees and win the World Series, the Patriots perfect season crushed by Eli and the Giants... it happens everywhere you look
There is no wonder the big game this week is featured on
ALABAMA vs LSU but the real question is how big of a game is this?
As an LSU fan you get caught into the emotions of the matchup. You believe in inevitable; you tell yourself this is the year we snap a 7 season losing streak. In Death Valley we shock the nation.
BUT as a bettor, you have to look at what's in front of you, from a non-emotional standpoint. How does LSU find the offense to stay with Bama? AND don't forget the best player on the field won't even be playing until the 2nd half... if you don't think that's a big deal you haven't been paying attention.
Bama is averaging over 30 points in the 1st half this season. Cole Tracy may be the money man from 50< but field goals won't get it done this time. It's a different season, a different Bama team. And for what may be the first time in a long time, Nick Saban has an offense... defense that is susceptible but an offense that is dominant.
So Vegas is giving us -14 points, and as a Tiger fan you tell yourself no way we loss by 2 scores. You tell yourself the Tigers have been in this situation over and over this season and will rise to the occasion. You tell yourself a night game at Death Valley is everything and we will be the toughest test the Crimson Tide have had all season. You tell yourself, with 2 weeks to prepare we will be ready.
And maybe the LSU fan is right?! Maybe a miracle befalls that night and the fans are able to rush the field for the 2nd time this season. Maybe the committee has to scratch their heads and figure a way to keep Bama in the post season for a 2nd straight year without winning their conference... maybe lightning strikes.
We all know the story of David and Goliath, how David defeated the greatest champion of his day with a sling and a stone... stop me if I'm rambling. But all the smart people were watching that contest, watching David grab his stones from the brook, and every single one of them put their money on Goliath... every single one.
Sure David won, they lost the bet, but they won the war. Be smart about it here... don't try to over-analyze this one as an emotional Tiger fan. The uphill battle seems so easy to climb, right? After all LSU has beaten 3 top 10 teams this season... except only one of them is even in the top 25 now (Georgia) and they followed that win with a dismal offensive performance.
Alabama may have some weaknesses, but you gave the best coach in college 2 weeks to prepare for a team he's beaten 7 years running... and they've slaughtered LSU at home except for the 2012 game when we had the lead with 2 minutes to play, LSU hasn't lived up to the home billing.
LSU can beat Bama Saturday Night... and I'll gladly pay to see them do it.
Alabama - 14 $500