LSU, Les Miles put non-conference win streak at risk
LSU hasn’t lost a non-conference home game in 4,381 days, although this game will be played in Houston.
LSU lost to a post-Michael Vick Virginia Tech team, 26-8, on Sept. 1, 2002. Since then, the Tigers have vanquished 45 consecutive non-conference foes in the regular season.
Oh, and Les Miles is 35-0 in those games as LSU’s coach.
Yes, LSU lost to Clemson in the Sugar Bowl less than two years ago. But that’s a mighty impressive streak the team tows into Saturday night’s game.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, is 43-3 against regular-season non-conference opponents since Sept. 1, 2002. The Badgers have played an SEC school five times in the last 10 seasons, all in bowl games.
Matchup | Opponent | Date | Result |
---|---|---|---|
Capital One Bowl | South Carolina | Jan. 1, 2014 | L, 34-24 |
Outback Bowl | Tennessee | Jan. 1, 2008 | L, 21-17 |
Capital One Bowl | Arkansas | Jan. 1, 2007 | W, 17-14 |
Capital One Bowl | Auburn | Jan. 2, 2006 | W, 24-10 |
Outback Bowl | Georgia | Jan. 1, 2005 | L, 24-21 |
Of course, the only number that will matter Saturday is the final score. A loss won’t preclude the teams from making the College Football Playoff, but as fringe/darkhorse contenders, Wisconsin as a division favorite in the Big Ten and LSU as a sleeper in the SEC West, it would be unlikely either makes the final four teams.
Another number to watch: Which team will rush for more yards? If you know the answer, you can probably peg the winner.