TEXAS BOWL -- It's official: LSU is starting a wide receiver at quarterback because the only other players the Tigers have there are walk-ons. I really don't see LSU scoring more than 17 points missing so many offensive guys. The defense also has been stripped down but that has been the case much of the year and the unit played fairly well overall. K-State isn't a quick-play offense, so I think we are safe Under 47.5 points here with a final something like KSU 27, LSU 17.

LSU is down to two freshman QB walk-ons after losing an appeal to play Garrett Nussmeier, the usual backup, because of the redshirt rule. The Tigers also are minus RB Ty Davis-Price. K-State dropped its last two games outright but yielded only 42 points combined, so the Tigers will be hard-pressed to score. LSU scored in the 20s the past two games but averaged under 15 ppg in the previous three. Two defensive starters have opted out, whereas the Wildcats lose nobody.

TEXAS BOWL -- This is the last bowl game before the BCS Championship. Expect the trend of the non-BCS SEC bowl teams to continue to struggle. Auburn, Florida, Tennessee and Mississippi State all lost outright, while Kentucky needed a touchdown on its final drive to secure a win. Kansas State may lack the flashy plays, but it can churn away with a simplistic game plan for four quarters. Take the Wildcats.

Texas Bowl -- The massive talent drain at LSU continued today as All-American linebacker Damone Clark opted out -- no school in the country has lost more talent to injury/draft/out-outs since September than the Tigers. I'm not even sure who their QB will be with Max Johnson transferring out. Backup Myles Brennan withdrew his name from the NCAA transfer portal but isn't expected to play. Freshman Garrett Nussmeier is the team’s lone scholarship QB but LSU likely doesn't want to burn his redshirt. K-State quarterback Skylar Thompson missed the regular-season finale but is expected to play in this game. This will get over 2.5 for sure.