DEL OLALEYE
Alabama continues to roll; Aggies still can't close out games
Nov 7, 2018, 5:50 am
The only people who thought LSU had a chance to win Saturday night were fans of LSU. They showed up strong inside and outside of Tiger Stadium and with good reason if you’re a...lets just say exuberant(delusional) fan. Their favorite team was ranked 3rd in the first College Football Playoff poll and had already beaten a Top 5 Georgia team in Death Valley earlier this season. Tigers fans had dreams of ending their losing streak to Alabama and Nick Saban as LSU hadn’t beat the Crimson Tide since 2011. Unfortunately, Georgia isn’t Alabama and Jake Fromm isn’t Tua Tagovailoa. There are no positives to take away from getting shut out 29-0 at home. For all the anticipation going into the the game the gulf between the two SEC West rivals appears as large as ever. LSU coach Ed Orgeron says he needs better players on his offensive and defensive fronts to compete with Alabama. While that may be true, the difference in quarterback play can’t be overlooked. LSU has been deficient at the position for almost a decade. With a potential Heisman winner playing the position for Alabama, the lack of productivity for LSU at the position is only exacerbated. Great quarterback play beats the Tide. You are never going to out-recruit them in the trenches. Find that special one at quarterback LSU. It is the only chance you’ve got.
The early season optimism from of all things playing Clemson to two points and beating Kentucky has evaporated for Texas A&M. In the last two weeks, themes that consistently plagued Kevin Sumlin’s tenure at Texas A&M have re-emerged. The Aggies can’t close teams out. The inability to defend a 3rd and 21 against Mississippi State deep in Bulldogs territory in the fourth quarter changed the complexion of that game. At the time it was a one-point game in Starkville. Jimbo Fisher’s team went on to lose that game by two scores. The misery didn’t end there. Leading by ten points in the fourth quarter over a scuffling Auburn team this past Saturday, Texas A&M missed a field goal, threw an interception and allowed a huge punt return. All three of those things contributed to a devastating loss that dropped the Aggies to 5-4. Losing to Alabama and LSU had come to be expected during Sumlin’s time in Aggieland. Getting beat by the likes of the Mississippi schools and Auburn drastically changed the complexion of Sumlin’s final seasons in College Station and eventually led to his dismissal. Fisher has all the job security in the world. You just don’t want to repeat the mistakes of the guy who you replaced. A loss to Ole Miss on Saturday would mean paying Fisher about $7.5 million a year resulted in not much changing on the field for the Aggies.
10 Ohio State vs 18 Michigan State
The Buckeyes need to be impressive if they have any chance of making people forget about the ass kicking Iowa gave them. Somehow the committee thinks a very average Michigan State team deserves a top-20 ranking. A win for Ohio State over a “quality” opponent keeps them in the race for a playoff spot. A matchup with No. 4 Michigan in The Horseshoe is looming.
Phoenix Suns (26-27) at Houston Rockets (33-20)
Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. EST – Toyota Center, Houston
BETMGM Line: Rockets -6; Over/Under: 223.5
The Phoenix Suns will visit the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, looking to break a three-game road losing streak. Phoenix is currently 11th in the Western Conference, fighting to stay in playoff contention, while Houston holds the fifth spot and is aiming to solidify its position.
The Rockets have been solid against Western Conference competition, boasting a 19-12 record. However, they’ve struggled to distribute the ball effectively, averaging just 22.5 assists per game—last in the conference. Fred VanVleet, who leads the team with 5.8 assists per game, will be unavailable due to an ankle injury, potentially affecting Houston’s offensive rhythm.
For Phoenix, Devin Booker continues to lead the way, averaging 26.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. The Suns are 17-16 in conference play and will need a strong showing from their perimeter defense, as Houston makes 12.0 three-pointers per game. Grayson Allen has been heating up recently, averaging 2.7 made threes over his last 10 games.
In their last 10 games, both teams have struggled to find consistency, posting matching 4-6 records. The Suns have shown more offensive firepower in that stretch, averaging 116.1 points per game but giving up 120.0 on defense. Meanwhile, the Rockets have averaged 109.4 points but held opponents to 112.2 points per contest.
Key Matchup: Alperen Sengun vs. Suns’ interior defense
Sengun has been one of Houston’s most consistent performers, averaging 19.0 points on 49.1% shooting. If he plays through his day-to-day status (lumbar), his presence inside could challenge Phoenix’s ability to control the paint.
Injury Watch:
Both teams will need to rely on depth, with injuries limiting their usual rotations. Phoenix is desperate to stay in the playoff race, while Houston looks to protect its home court and climb the standings.
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