THE SEC REPORT

LSU exploded and Tennessee disappointed this weekend; big games for A&M, Tigers this week

LSU exploded and Tennessee disappointed this weekend; big games for A&M, Tigers this week
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Born with a comic book in one hand and a remote control in the other, Cory DLG is the talent of Conroe's very own Nerd Thug Radio and Sports. Check out the podcast replay of the FM radio show at www.nerdthugradio.com!

LSU debuts their new Run-Pass Option offense and for the first time in several years, they have an offense that could make them a top team this year.

Week 1 has come and gone and there weren't a ton of surprises although there were a few disappointments. Most notably among the let downs was Tennessee losing to Georgia State, who while not a total cupcake shouldn't be beating top level programs, which means Tennessee isn't a top-level program. Perhaps most impressive this week was LSU debuting their new offense and scoring an angry 55 points. The biggest oddity of the week was Alabama's woeful first half against Duke before turning on the football and finishing the game in the third quarter.


The Three Stars of last weekend were:

Tua Tagovailoa, the quarterback of Alabama, who in one third quarter reminded everyone why he's on the short list for the Heisman this year.

D'Andre Swift, the running back of Georgia, ran for almost 150 yards in under 20 carries. That's a monster of a game.

Bo Nix, quarterback of Auburn, the true freshman got to live out every freshman quarterback's dream and lead a comeback against a top 15 opponent in the closing minutes of a game to save the season, on week one.

Coming up

This weekend, every true college football fan is watching Texas A&M and Clemson on Saturday, this game helps shape the whole season with big time implications if Texas A&M can knock off the reigning National Champs. Saturday night LSU and University of Texas are playing, and this game will be one of the brightest feathers in the cap of the winner and the reason why the loser isn't in the four-team playoff at the end of the year probably.

The Three Players to Watch this week:

Joe Burrow, quarterback of LSU, this is his first real test of the season after coming off of five touchdowns last week. He can throw it, but now can he throw it against another big time ranked opponent in a hostile environment.

Kylin Hill, running back of Mississippi State, who posted almost 200 yards and is the proverbial work horse. The battle of Mississippi will be decided by Hill and his performance.

Jajuan Jennings, wide receiver of Tennessee, if Tennessee has any hope of righting their season it's going to have to start here against BYU where yet again they are the favorite and it's going to take a big game from their leaders like Jennings.


Feel free to check out my brand new comic book Another Day at the Office or buy a shirt from Side Hustle Ts where some proceeds help people struggling with cancer or listen to Nerd Thug Radio. Thoughts, complaints, events and comments can be sent to corydlg@gmail.com.

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
Kyle Tucker returns to Houston this weekend. Composite Getty Image.

Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.

The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.

The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.

On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.

Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.

It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.

The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.

How the mighty have fallen.

Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.

Screenshot via: MLB.com



___________________________

*ChatGPT assisted.

Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!

https://houston.sportsmap.com/advertise

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome