After serving a stint with the Dallas Cowboys and the last four years with the Oklahoma State Cowboys, les Miles is the new Sheriff in Tiger Town. While it is impossible to forecast the future with absolute certainty, I think the search committee did a very good job hiring Miles. Many of you will hear complaining and griping about Miles, but before falling in with the emotional (and regularly ignorant) crowd, look at the numbers and compare them with Saban’s tenure at Michigan State. Miles is 28-21 after four seasons in Stillwater. OSU has been to three straight bowl games after only one appearance in the prior 13 years. As a side note, the last time Oklahoma State was competitive on a consistent basis was back in the late 80’s when a guy named Barry Sanders was toting the rock. If memory serves me correct, he was pretty good (he won the 1988 Heisman Trophy).
Against Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Nebraska, Kansas State and Colorado, Miles was a respectable 7-7. Only Texas befuddled the Cowboys as Miles went 0-4 versus the Longhorns. Miles was 17-8 at home overall and 16-4 over the last three seasons. His road record was a respectable 10-11. Easily Miles’ two biggest wins are the consecutive victories over Oklahoma in 2001 and 2002. The Cowboys pushed the Sooners to the limit this year finally falling 38-35.
His quarterbacks have consistently played efficiently even as the offense morphed this year to a more run oriented attack after two seasons of Josh Fields to Rashaun Woods. In 2002, the Cowboys had a 3,000 yard QB, 1,000 yard RB and 1,600 yard WR. The Cowboys started a redshirt freshmen this year at QB who, while not spectacular, played very well, passing for over 1,400 yards, 13 TD’s and only 4 INT’s. The last three seasons, the Cowboys have averaged 35 points a game on offense, ranking 15th in the nation in 2004. With all the weapons returning next season at LSU, expect more of the same.
Defense will be the real question mark. Miles will bring his defensive coordinator, Bill Clay, with him from Oklahoma State. The Cowboy defense has been porous the last four years giving up about 25 points a game, ranking 49th in the country this past season. That is a far cry from what the Tiger faithful have come to expect from Saban’s nasty defense. I am sure part of that is a function of the talent level at Oklahoma State. I haven’t watched enough Cowboy football to compare LSU’s defensive tendencies versus OSU. But the Cowboys did have 32 sacks in 2003 which shows me they got after the QB. Oklahoma State finished this season ranked #1 in the country in turnover margin at +18. In comparison, LSU finished 79th at –3.
Miles will have an opportunity to prove himself immediately. LSU will be loaded as the entire offense returns. The defense will miss Marcus Spears, Lionel Turner, Travis Daniels and Corey Webster, but there are a number of guys ready to step in and make an impact. (BTW – Webster made a living this season off last year’s hype, easily the most disappointing guy on the defense.) LSU should be picked to win the West in 2005 and possibly contend for an SEC Championship and National Championship.
The pieces are also in place for a solid recruiting class this season. Miles just needs to pick up where Saban left off and rebuild a few relationships. I am confident that Miles will lock down the state of Louisiana and with his experience in recruiting the bevy of talent in Texas, expect a few studs from across the border to migrate to LSU. I’m very excited about the future and I think LSU is in good hands. Let’s hope Les Miles can build upon the success of the last five years and lead LSU back to another Championship.
