Monday, October 20, 2003

Back in the Saddle

41 minutes and 43 seconds.

In a 60 minute game to possess the ball that long is unheard of. LSU regained its rhythm with a powerful 33-7 win over the less-than-Gamecocks. Any fears of a slump or hangover were put to rest in the first half as LSU went up 19-0 on three long scoring drives.

The offense line was fantastic. They opened holes and game Matt Mauck plenty of protection. Mauck was a model of efficiency going 24 of 30 with 2 TD’s. He did a great job managing the offense and even threw downfield a few times. He also checked down to Justin Vincent twice picking up big yards. I realize why the passing game is ball control. The long ball is not Mauck’s forte by a long shot. He under threw Henderson and over threw Green and Clayton on the three long passes of the game. I’m glad he’s chucking them up there however. He will make some strikes as the season moves on and hopefully keep the safeties from creeping up on LSU’s running game.

Speaking of the running game, LSU rushed for a season high 263 yards on 52 carries. The key was LSU’s superior line play. It’s amazing what our backs can do when given a crease. Broussard ran over the safety on his 33 yard gallop early in the game. Vincent was strong inside and shifty around the ends. If LSU can continue to open holes, the offense will flourish.

0 yards.

To hold a team averaging 185 yards a game on the grand to ZERO yards is outstanding. But what do you expect from the #1 rushing defense in the country. LSU is also first in the nation in scoring defense only giving up 9.86 points a game. With the exception of the two long pass plays by Pinkins, the defense played extremely well.

The game next week will be another classic in the series. I know Auburn has won 5 in a row, but I am not convinced. They have beaten two good teams in that stretch, Tennessee and Arkansas. After the beatings laid on those two by Georgia and Florida, I am left wondering, how good are those wins? Tuberville is up to his same bullshit leaving Carnell Williams in the game late getting him 6 TD’s to run it up on Jackie Sherrill. Auburn is still a one dimensional team. They are ranked 92nd in the country in passing. The teams are 2-2 in the last four meetings in Tiger Stadium. Saban is 1-2 against Tuberville.

The LSU defense will be able to slow the running game down and get after Auburn’s QB Jason Campbell. If LSU can have put together another solid performance running the ball, LSU will win the game. In a defensive struggle, I like LSU.

The REAL Tigers 23 – Those other Tigers 13.

Monday, October 13, 2003

Good...Bad

Good…The Mighty Spartans. 3-0 and in first place in the Big 11. They continue to impress but the meat of the schedule is up next with games at Minnesota, Ohio State and Wisconsin. The Spartans will win at least one of those games and be right in the hunt for the Big 11 title.

The Most Pathetic…Minnesota giving up 31 points in the 4th quarter against John Navarre. Navarre was 0-6 against ranked teams on the road. He’s a classic choker, just blitz him and he’ll crumble. What does Minnesota do? Play prevent defense the entire 4th quarter. Coaches lost that game, not the players. Play not to lose and you are just that, a loser. YOU SUCK GOLDEN GOOFERS!

Good…One half of my National Championship is rolling along. The Sooners annihilated Texas this weekend. Mack Brown needs a win in that game in one of the next two seasons of he will get run out of town. Some schools have game you just CANNOT lose on a regular basis. Auburn – Alabama, Ohio State – Michigan, USC – UCLA and Oklahoma – Texas. Lose too many against the big rival and you are going to get run off.

Bad…Texas. Wow.

Good…Notre Shame. Just when you think they are going in the tank, they pull off a great upset on the road no less running all over Shittsburgh.

Bad…Don’t believe the hype. Shittsburgh, Tennessee, K-State and Virginia were supposed to contend for conference championships. They are a combined 5-5 in conference games and only 15-9 overall.

Good…Boston College moves to the ACC.

Bad…The Big Least is quickly swirling round the bowl.

Good…The Contenders, Oklahoma, Va. Tech, Miami, TCU, and Northern Illinois

Bad…Poser Material, Ohio State, LSU, Arkansas, Minnesota, the Criminoles and Cornholers.

Good…Hobbies.

Bad…Knitting Club. What the hell is knitting club?

Good…Arnold in California.

Bad…Do you know that my state representative Is Cleo Fields? I thought this was a GOOD neighborhood I moved into!?

The Best…Convictions…and I’m not talking about your strong belief in the 4-3 vs. 3-4. I’m talking about putting killers behind bars. Melvin Elie, who I heard speak for the first time last week, was convicted on October 9, 2003 of Manslaughter. In my ever changing view on life, THAT counts as a big win. A much bigger win that beating Georgia.

The Worst…The pressure. Everyone has it. But during the trials, it become especially acute. By the time the trial is over, the overwhelming feeling is one of relief. It feels great to win and see justice done, but you are so worn out, you can’t fully appreciate the W. I still love my job, it just takes a real toll.

Title Hopes on Hold

Football can be a funny game. One day you are 5-0, ranked 6th in the country and folks are using your name in the same sentence with National Champion. The next day you are ranked third in your division and you have serious question marks for the rest of the season.

LSU stunk Saturday afternoon. The defense blew assignments and the offense was completely inept. One had to figure LSU would lay an egg this season, but not against the Gators. This is the same team which has beaten LSU 14 out that last 16 meetings. The same team that once beat LSU 58-3 in Tiger Stadium. The same team that Nick Saban now stands 1-3 against.

LSU has a laundry list of offensive problems:

- Matt Mauck looked terrible. He was 19 of 33, but only for a little over 200 yards. He was not sharp and took a few sacks when he could have thrown the ball away. He still refuses to throw downfield and give the LSU receivers a chance to make big plays. Chris Leak looked like the experienced veteran while Mauck looked like a lost freshman.

- The offensive line cannot run block. Pass protection was pretty good. But after six games, LSU does not have a consistent running game.

- Shyrone Carey is LSU’s best running back. Addai would do well on a power running team, but he’s not one to “make something out of nothing.” LSU needs to get Carey back in there pronto. Looking long term, LSU needs to recruit another top RB. Justin Vincent is no great shakes either.

- With a lack of execution, it is tough to accurately evaluate the play calling. We didn’t run any inside hand offs out of the gun and I don’t know if we have run ONE draw play the entire season. I don’t think you can expect the throw a bunch of 4 yard passes and hope they turn into TD’s. I think this is more a function of Mauck’s ineffectiveness rather than the actual play calling.

For the most part, the defense played well. There were breakdowns which can be attributed to Jack Hunt being out and good play selection by Florida. The two TD’s were off similar plays. The running back would delay then sneak out of the backfield and get open over the middle. Georgia would have scored a few weeks ago on a similar play had Lavalais not knocked the pass down on a great individual effort.

Where does LSU go from here? The Tigers will bounce back, but I don’t know if the offensive problems are easily correctable. The O-Line must improve and Matt Mauck must get better. I even thought the staff might throw Randall in the game to provide a spark. Randall has his shortcomings, but at least he is not afraid to throw downfield.

LSU is at South Carolina next weekend. The Gamecocks are lead by Dondrial Penkins at quarterback. Daccus Turman and Demetrius Summers form a running back by committee. South Carolina is solid on defense and will play to stop the run. Unless Mauck learns to throw deep and follow his progressions, the Tigers could be in for a long night. LSU’s defense is still nasty and will keep the Tigers close. But I think LSU’s woes will continue.

LSU 16 – USC 18.