Action around the SEC features daytime game for LSU

Posted 4:10PM on Wednesday 25th September 2002 ( 22 years ago )

ATLANTA - LSU fans get in an uproar when their Tigers play a home game while the sun still shines. They much prefer a Saturday night in Tiger Stadium, getting a chance to party all day long and then create a hostile environment for the opposition. And there was a time when the fans' attitude seemed to carry over to the players, who usually found ways to lose those daytime games at home. They will get another chance Saturday when the defending Southeastern Conference champions take on Mississippi State at 11:30 a.m. CDT. It will be the first morning game at home for the 22nd-ranked Tigers in five years. The Tigers have had better success recently under the sun at home, winning three of their last four. The victories were 41-38 over Arkansas last year, 30-28 over Alabama in 2000 and 35-10 over Arkansas in 1999. The loss was a 44-15 thrashing at the hands of Florida last year. LSU hasn't played a morning game since 1997, when Ole Miss won 36-21 a week after LSU upset then top-ranked Florida. Star tailback LaBrandon Toefield isn't concerned about the early start. "It doesn't matter what time the game is," he said. "It could be three in the morning. We're going to be ready. We're going to be up for the game." The Tigers, a 13-point favorite, have won nine of their last 10 meeting with the Bulldogs. There's no reason to see that domination end. LSU 31-14. Elsewhere around the Southeastern Conference this week, with Mississippi having an open date: Alabama (no line) at Arkansas: The Razorbacks lead the nation in rushing defense after stopping lightweights Boise State and South Florida. That will undoubtedly change after facing 'Bama's stable of running backs, but the Hogs will prevail - something they usually do at home. Arkansas 17-14. Syracuse (plus 14) at Auburn: Daniel Cobb is hitting his stride at quarterback for the Tigers, and Carnell Williams almost always has it going from the tailback slot. The Tigers haven't losing a nonconference home games since 1980 - a streak that has reached 11. Make it 12. Auburn 31-10. Kentucky (plus 19) at No. 7 Florida: Are the Gators in for a letdown after stunning many at Knoxville last week? Is unbeaten Kentucky for real? The Cats are better than usual, but not good enough to win in The Swamp. Florida 28-17. New Mexico State (no line) at No. 8 Georgia: The Bulldogs' biggest test is a week away (at Alabama), but the Aggies will give them a look at an option attack - something that's also in the Crimson Tide arsenal. Georgia 31-7. South Carolina (minus 9 1/2) at Vanderbilt: The Commodores are unbeaten at home, the Gamecocks winless on the road. It won't be easy, but the Gamecocks will end both of those one-game streaks. South Carolina 24-17. Rutgers (plus 40 1/2) at No. 11 Tennessee: This couldn't have been a very pleasant week for the Vols. Tennessee 49-7. Last week's totals: 6-1 straight, 2-4 vs. spread. For year: 33-4 straight, 15-16-1 vs. spread.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/9/189712