LSU, Referee Edge Gamecocks, 24 - 17

LSU, like many teams, has frequently needed the referees to nip a persistent opponent at one time or another. Sad is the day when the LSU Tigers need a tackle from a referee. Sadder still is when the major footnote of a major LSU game is the fact that the ref tackled somebody (of course,
Spurrier investigated it). But in Baton Rouge, that's what it's come down to. The LSU-South Carolina game will be forever remembered (and immortalized) as the day an SEC ref forearm-stabbed a Gamecocks player.
The funny thing? LSU needed it.
Gone are the blowouts and wildly superior physical performances of last year. This bunch has to all-out blitz - every time - to ensure a sack. I'm not down on my boys when it comes to a championship, I'm just not particularly bearish this year, not with the re-emergence of Joe Eterno, er, Paterno's Penn State. Not with the unflappable Texas Longhorns playing a schedule every bit as rough and rugged as Georgia's. Not with a 1-loss USC team blowing teams out the stadium. And I didn't even mention the best Alabama team in nearly 20 years. But we'll be alright. TRANSLATION: Lester Miles bought himself at least 2 years of mediocrity with last year's championship, so if we lose two it's still a bonus.