Each week, we’ll look back on what our expert analysts thought each team needed to do to secure victory in our NCAA Football broadcasts, brought to you by Pennzoil.
September 8th: Halftime score: LSU 20, Washington 3
(Listen to Tony Boselli’s Keys to the Second Half from our broadcast)
Washington: Protect quarterback Keith Price and run the ball more effectively.
Washington Verdict: Price was sacked twice in the first half… and twice in the second. He had 81 yards passing before the half… and 76 after. All in all, the 2nd half was more of the same for the Washington passing game, which was far from a good thing. Meanwhile, on the ground, things weren’t much better. After gaining only 11 yards on 9 carries in the first two quarters, the Huskies picked up just 15 yards on 15 tries in the second half. Tony asked for better than the 1.2 yards per carry they average before halftime – but they actually got worse.
LSU: Tony’s request was simple: no turnovers.
LSU Verdict: LSU protected the football in the 2nd half. The Tigers’ only giveaway of the game came on the opening kickoff of the first half, and it left Washington with a short enough field that a three-and-out was good enough to get them their lone points of the game on a field goal. From that point on, it was utter domination from LSU.
Final score: LSU 41 – Washington 3
September 8th: Halftime score: Arizona State 28, Illinois 7
(Listen to Terry Donahue’s Keys to the Second Half from our broadcast)
Illinois: Find a way to move the ball and control the clock.
Illinois Verdict: With starting quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase out injured, the Illini never got their passing game going. Instead, they turned to the ground and while the ate the clock to the tune of an 18:16 to 11:44 advantage after the break, they never quite looked like they were capable of getting back in the game.
Arizona State: Simple: more of the same.
Arizona State Verdict: ASU won the first half 28-7 and the second half 17-7 — good enough for a 45-14 blowout victory.
Final score: Arizona State 45, Illinois 14
