50% Deposit and Reload Bonus
At WagerWeb you can cash in on an amazing 50% deposit and reload bonus when you sign up for a new account!

BetUS $500 Match Bonus
Sign up for a new account with BetUS and deposit $500 or more to get a $500 match bonus.

2010 Capital One Bowl Picks: Penn State v. LSU Football Odds & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on December 29, 2009

The 10-2 Penn State Nittany Lions take on the 9-3 LSU Tigers on ABC New Year’s Day in the 2010 edition of the Capital One Bowl. Football odds makers have listed Penn State as a 2.5-point favorite with the total set at 43.5.

Want more bang for your buck with your college football betting this bowl season? Bet your college football picks at BetUS and get up to 145% in sign up bonuses!

The 11th-ranked Nittany Lions and the 13th-ranked LSU Tigers are all set to tango in one of the more intriguing non-BCS matchups. The legendary Joe Paterno will be looking to close out his 44th season by adding to his record 393 wins and 23 bowl victories. This season marked Paterno’s 21st with at least 10 wins.

The Nittany Lions are led by QB Daryll Clark, who was named the Big Ten’s co-MVP, after leading the league with 23 touchdown passes and finishing as the conferences highest rated passer. But Clark will have to make sure he takes care of the football to give his team its best shot at the win. Clark has thrown 39 touchdown strikes against nine picks in winning 21 starts, but he has thrown just three touchdowns while being picked off seven times in his four losses. In other words, the Nittany Lions often go as Clark goes. He’ll have to be up to the challenge against an LSU defense known for creating turnovers.

Defensively, linebacker U is stacked as usual with a nice trio in Sean Lee, Navorro Bowman, and Josh Hull. But these boys admittedly wouldn’t be so good without Big Ten defensive player of the year Jared Odrick. The big tackle is a big reason for the success of the linebackers with the way he is able to command double teams. It is worth noting that the Tigers are only 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games overall. If you like the Nittany Lions in this one, bet Penn State at -2.5 at BetUS.

LSU’s defense is going to have to show up if the Tigers hope to slow down Clark and company. LSU started the season strong by only allowing 293 yards per game through its first eight games, but it struggled down the stretch, allowing 393.8 in its last four contests. But one has to expect the Tigers to be ready, just as they have been every postseason since Les Miles took over.

Under Miles, LSU is 4-0 in bowls, winning by an average of 28.5 points. It could be difficult for the Tigers to blow out Penn State though, as LSU ranks just 108th nationally in total offense, averaging just 309.7 yards per game. It’s been an up and down season for QB Jordon Jefferson, but fortunately it was mostly up heading into this game. Jefferson finished the year by throwing nine touchdowns against three interceptions in his last five games.

LSU has relied heavily on its running attack, and the offense could really struggle if running back Charles Scott isn’t able to go. The Tigers’ leading rusher is listed as questionable after breaking his clavicle in early November. Having Scott back would be nice considering backups Keiland Williams and Richard Murphy aren’t expected to go. With the state of the running back corps looking pretty bleak, Trindon Holliday may have to be LSU’s saving grace. It is worth noting that the Tigers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 bowl games. If you like the Tigers to continue their bowl dominance, bet LSU at +2.5 at BetUS.

Jimmy Boyd has dominated the bowl season each of the last two years, finishing the 2007-08 bowl season on a 14-5 run and the 2008-09 season on a 10-4 home stretch run. Crush your book again this year through the BCS Championship Game with Jimmy’s expert football picks!

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in: