10-0...with growing doubts

Wow. For the first time since 1958, the Tigers are 10-0. As with most of the season, the Tigers handled an inferior opponent winning by 33. The expected letdown was evident after the huge Bama showdown last week, but LSU took care of business while giving the coaches "butt chewing" material to work with as we go forward.

To the dismay of myself and many others, Jefferson started and played the majority of snaps Saturday. He put up nice numbers, but I see no real improvement in his play. He still holds the ball too long and looks to run if the first option is not there. The inability to read through the progressions is clearly evident. The safety he gave up was classic Jefferson; the primary receiver was covered and he had no idea what to do next. So he stands there and takes a sack. Great play, bravo!

I don't know how the QB situation will play out the rest of the way, but I will stick by my preseason prediction, LSU will not win anything of note if Jefferson becomes the regular starter and sees the majority of reps. Sure, LSU is 10-0 and should be 11-0 regardless of who starts against Ole Miss. But the Tigers have not secured anything yet.

Ask yourself, do you really think Jefferson can lead this team to victories over Arkansas, Georgia and Oklahoma/Oklahoma State? (I think the winner of that game would play LSU if the Tigers win out.) Miles has pushed all the right buttons thus far, let's hope he continues to do so.

LSU 31 - Ole Miss 10

Undisputed

What we saw Saturday night in the LSU vs. Alabama game can best be described as a test of wills. The game was a throwback to big SEC games of the past with smash mouth defense and limited offensive production. This was a game that required big boy pants. I have few thoughts on the game.

* My biggest question for Alabama going into the game was whether McCarron could make throws when his team had to have a play. I think it was clear that he has a ways to go. In overtime McCarron missed Richardson on a wheel route then got sacked on third down forcing a long field goal. Trent Richardson is fantastic, but LSU held him in check for the most part. Of his 23 carries, 15 went for 3 yards or less. Remember, this is a guy that came into the game averaging about 6.5 yards per carry.

* Some fans have complained that both teams played poorly on offense. Thus for many this was not a very good game. On the first point, I think the offensive struggles were more of a reflection of the great defenses on the field than poor offensive ability. LSU and Alabama were both averaging 39 points a game coming into Saturday. As to the second point, this was a tense, hard fought heavyweight matchup. This was a game between the two best teams in the country, and while not a shoot out, there was plenty of drama.

* I feel bad for Jarrett Lee. He’s been fantastic thus far this season but was overwhelmed by the moment. Both interceptions were very poor and disappointing. I hope he starts against Western Kentucky and is able to bounce back. LSU needs Lee to be productive down the stretch. Jefferson was the guy against Alabama, but he is not the answer with upcoming games against Arkansas, a potential SEC Title game against Georgia and the bowl game.

* The talk now is about a rematch in the BCS Title game between LSU and Alabama. For the same reasons it didn’t happen in 2006, it won’t happen this year. If you recall, Ohio State and Michigan, ranked #1 and #2 respectively at the time, were both undefeated going into the season finale. OSU won by three, but in the following BCS rankings, Michigan remained at #2. The next week Florida won the SEC Title game and moved ahead of Michigan in the final BCS poll. Assuming Oregon knocks off Stanford and Oklahoma beats Oklahoma State, 11-1 Big XII Champ Oklahoma will move into that second spot. LSU went into Tuscaloosa and beat the Tide, why should the Alabama get another opportunity over a very good Oklahoma team with the same record?

* The Bama fans on the whole were pretty decent folks. We only got two F-bombs dropped on us and one Tide fan gave Chase a beer with the condition that he immediately shot gun it. As with the game, Chase put on his big boy pants and showed those Bama folks how we do it down here.