2007 AllState Sugar Bowl Preview

Notre Dame returns to the Sugar Bowl tonight for the first time since 1992 seeking to eliminate the bitter taste from their disappointing regular season and restore their program to its former glory. Louisiana State is determined to prevent that as they have been playing arguably the best football in the country over the last six weeks and hope to show the world that they too are among the nation's finest teams. This game also features two of the top quarterbacks in the country in stellar senior Brady Quinn and star junior JaMarcus Russell. Quinn is widely perceived to be the best prospect available in this year's NFL draft, but if Russell outplays him and then decides to come out early he may vault over Quinn in the draft pecking order like Vince Young did to Matt Leinart after last year's Rose Bowl. Now, into the breakdown:

Notre Dame Offense vs. LSU Defense

Brady Quinn has been solid but far from spectacular in his two bowl games, averaging 250 yards a game and completing over 60% of his passes with only one interception but throwing only two touchdown passes combined in those two games, including none last year against Ohio State. He needs to have the confidence to be a playmaker not just a caretaker on this big a stage for the golden domers to have a chance. He will be forced to throw often because his offensive line will not be successful opening holes for Darius Walker, whose gaudy numbers hide his struggles against quality defenses. He averages 95 yards a game and 4.9 yards a carry on the season but against Michigan, Penn State, UCLA, and USC he averages only 48 yards with 2.9 yards per carry. Against those four defenses he scored zero touchdowns. Against the Tigers fierce defensive line, anchored by stud Defensive Tackle Glenn Dorsey, the Irish O-Line will have to play their best game of the season just to make LSU respect the run. There is no way Notre Dame can beat LSU on the ground, but at least posing a threat there is critical because the Tigers' starting linebackers are all sophomores and although they are talented and swarm to the ball they can be sucked in and beaten by play-action. Receiver Jeff Zamardzija is a dynamic talent, and with Rhema McKnight, David Grimes and Tight End John Carlson Notre Dame has an explosive group of weapons for Quinn to get the ball to through the air, which will be the only way for them to move the ball. The secondary will be thin for tonight's game as starting safety Jesse Daniels has been suspended for part or all of the game, but the presence of LaRon Landry alone means this is still a unit to be feared. The four-year starter can do it all, shutting down the run and covering receivers deep. The Irish' best chance for success is if Carlson or another receiver can have a big game forcing Landry to commit to guarding the middle of the field more and then hitting Samardzija or McKnight deep. Both of these units are outstanding, but the slight edge has to go to the Domers.
Slight Edge: Notre Dame

LSU Offense vs. Notre Dame Defense

The Tigers are led by stud Quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who has matured into a much more efficient passer this year, minimizing his mistakes while still retaining his big-play capability. He spreads the ball around to a trio of talented receivers, Dwayne Bowe, Early Doucet, and Craig Davis, all of which display sure hands and the ability to take the ball deep. The rushing attack is a three-headed monster of workhorse Jacob Hester, change of pace speed back Keiland Williams and the bruising Alley Broussard. The Tigers have produced a lot of points against some of the top defenses in the country in winning at Tennessee and at Arkansas, and Notre Dame's defense doesn't have nearly the talent of those teams. Defensive End Victor Abiamiri is a big-time players and Tom Zbikowski is an outstanding run-stuffing safety, but other than those two the Irish defense is generally devoid of playmakers. Ends with the ability to rush the passer like Florida's Ray McDonald have given LSU problems, but the Tigers will be able to double Abiamiri and still contain the rest of Notre Dame's linemen. The Irish secondary was shredded by Michigan, Michigan State, and most recently USC, and it should be no different versus LSU. The Tigers should definitely punish Notre Dame here.
Edge: LSU

Special Teams: LSU is short-handed as dynamic return man Trindon Holliday is suspended for part of the game. That takes away a big-time weapon who took a kick return the distance against Arkansas. LSU's kicking game is suspect, with Colt David only 6/10 on Field Goals this year and only 3/7 from beyond 30 yards. Notre Dame's Zbikowski is a talented returner who can give the Irish an edge in the field position battle, and kicker Carl Gioia has a consistent leg from inside 40 yards, although he is also 1/4 from beyond 40. Notre Dame will have an advantage if this game gets tight.
Edge: Notre Dame

Intangibles: Notre Dame and its vast and loyal fans and alumni travel as well as any group in the nation, but the game will be played in New Orleans and the majority of fans should be Tiger supporters. Notre Dame is also fighting history as they have not won a bowl game since 1994 and are facing a seven game bowl losing streak. LSU on the other hand is familiar with the Sugar Bowl having played and won there twice in the last five years. Notre Dame has only played two teams of the caliber of LSU, and were blown out in both, while LSU has been battletested all season in the rough-and-tumble SEC and has faced and defeated comparable talent before.
Edge: LSU

Prediction: LSU wins 42-28