Another frustrating loss...

Leonard Fournette dashes for an 89 yard touchdown. 

In a trend that has become all too familiar, an LSU opponent made a late drive to beat the Tigers at the buzzer.  Over the last three seasons, LSU has lost to Clemson, Ole Miss and now Notre Dame on last second FG’s.  Throw in the losses to Bama in ‘12 and ’14 and you have a good heaping of late game misery.  While the defense must take a big chunk of the blame of those loses, LSU’s inability on offense to put anyone away has repeatedly hurt them.  Many of those tight games Miles was winning early in his tenure at LSU are going the other way.  LSU is only 6-5 the last two years in games decided by 7 points or less. 

Observations:

* The offense played well enough to win but the defense was just atrocious.  ND converted on 11 of 17 third down conversions. SEVENTEEN third down plays!!  The Tigers could not get off the field.  

*Jalen Collins was abused all game. 

*Again, LSU got zero pressure with the front four. 

*Jamal Adams is an All-American type player.

*On offense, LSU had 9 drives, four TD’s, a blocked FG, a failed Fake FG and three punts.  I’m tired of talking about Jennings and his short comings.  He did OK with the only glaring mistake the fumble in the second half.   

*I disagreed with the fake FG at the end of the first half.  If LSU takes the points there, they get the ball to start the second half and take the lead.  Those 3 points were obviously huge for the game.  Had Miles saved that fake FG he could have used it in the second half instead of trying a 40 yard FG that ND blocked.

*I also disagreed with the decision to punt on 4^th and 1 with six minutes left in the game.  Fournette was unstoppable and LSU would have had an excellent chance to convert.  Sure enough, LSU punted and never saw the ball again. 

*Miles is now 6-4 in bowl games at LSU, 2-4 in the last six.

Some folks may be optimistic about next season.  I’m not in that group.  I saw zero growth at the QB position.  The offensive line will need to be rebuilt with Collins and Porter departing (and possibly Alexander and Hawkins leaving as well).  The defense has slowly slipped since the 2011 monster year.  LSU plays at Ole Miss and Alabama which I expect to be losses.  The Tigers also travel to South Carolina, Syracuse and State.  There is probably another loss amongst that group of games.  LSU’s home schedule is filled with Florida, Arkansas, A&M and Auburn.  Does anyone expect LSU to go 4-0 against that line-up?

Another 8-4 season in 2015 will put Miles squarely on the hot seat for 2016.  In the last 7 years, Miles has delivered one division title and one “BCS” bowl appearance.  Is that good enough?  It will be interesting to see how the next few years play out. 

Keep the Faith.

Geaux Tigers.