vs.

September 1, 2002
Lane Stadium
Blacksburg, VA

The Coaches
LSU - Nick Saban, 3rd season, 18-7 (.720)
Virginia Tech - Frank Beamer, 16th season, 107-65-2 (.615)

The Series
First Meeting

Game Summary
LSU goes to Blacksburg to open off their season as the defending SEC Champions. The Tigers will have a different offensive focus though. QB Matt Mauck will let RB LaBrandon Toefield, one of the SEC's best, do the majority of the offensive work. They won't be all ground attack, though. Mauck doesn't have superstar Josh Reed, but does have a deep core of WRs to use. The Virginia Tech defense though, appears to be as sharp as ever. Their offense will be run by QB Byron Randall, and I expect the Hokies to try and throw the football more, given the LSU defensive front is as big and aggressive a line as the Hokies will face.

Prediction
I think this will be the closest of the first games for any SEC team. Blacksburg is a tough place to play and come out with a win (ask Miami). However, LSU has the team to do just that. The Tigers are not going to be shut out, and points will come in bunches. I think Toefield is the difference in the end. The Hokies are going to have to protect the passing attack of LSU, and if you give LaBrandon Toefield an inch, he'll take not only a mile, but a road win as well.

Final - LSU 23, Virgina Tech 21

I think LSU will pull at this game as well and it will be nice to see how Suggs returns to the game!!

I agree with Reggie. Even in Blacksburg, I think the new look Tigers will handle Beamer and the Hokies.

My prediction: LSU-20, VT-10

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by JoltinJacket:
I agree with Reggie. Even in Blacksburg, I think the new look Tigers will handle Beamer and the Hokies.

My prediction: LSU-20, VT-10</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I think that is Mike Vick would have stayed in school this would have been his senior year. If that was the case then I get the edge to LSU but LSU despite not having some people on offense back..they have an awesome running back and Mauck did well in the SEC champ game.