Grinding Out Wins

This was a game that was equal parts frustrating and exciting. Texas A&M outplayed LSU for 25 minutes in the first half then turned the ball over twice in the last five minutes giving LSU life and a two point half time lead. The defense shook off a slow start and kept “Johnny Football” in the pocket for most of the game limiting his explosiveness. For all the defense did to keep LSU in the game, it was also the defense that kept trying to give it back. Multiple penalties including multiple off-sides, a facemask, pass interference and an IDIOTIC late hit by Eric Reid kept A&M drives alive. Bottom line, LSU won in spite of itself. This team is so talented they can get away with poor coaching and stupid decisions against most opponents. That doesn’t make it any less frustrating as fan.

*All three TD plays came from 20+ yards out, avoiding LSU’s own personal Bermuda Triangle, aka the red zone. Ford continued to prove his value outrunning the A&M defense for the first TD finishing the day with a 7.1 yard average on 11 carries. Hill is turning into LSU’s offensive MVP with another 100 yard rushing game and a critical 47 yard TD score to seal the victory late in the fourth quarter.

* The receivers continued to improve in holding on to the ball. Kadrone Boone’s TD catch was fantastic.

* Mettenberger is regressing. Does that sound familiar? He was terribly inaccurate and missed a number of guys on deep throws. I wonder if the coaches are messing with his head like they did with Lee and Jefferson. He may be so terrified of throwing a pick that he is hesitant to throw unless the receiver is absolutely open. That should also sound familiar. The other explanation is that Mett just isn’t very good. Good coaching is putting players in a positing to be successful; this staff is not doing that in the passing game.

* This is four years now that LSU has been unable to develop an effective passing game. Lee did well to start last season but Miles insisted on shoving Jefferson back into the lineup to the ultimate detriment to the 2011 team. Look at these numbers on SEC passing yards per game rankings: 2009 – 9th; 2010 – 12th; 2011 – 10th; 2012 – 12th. Nationally it looks even worse: 2009 – 97th; 2010 – 107th; 2011 – 106th; 2012 – 112th. I understand we are a “running team,” but given all the resources and talent at our disposal, these numbers are just atrocious. I emailed a very well known local sports writer about why the “big media” hasn’t challenged Miles on this. All I got was the company line about players being injured or not executing. Someone should publicly ask these hard questions:

Is it poor recruiting?
Is it poor player development?
Is it poor play calling and game planning?
Is it a meddling head coach?

I’m not down on this team, far from it. I’m just tired of the same problems year after year. I’m not calling for anyone to lose their job, I just want the LSU Football program to shake things up and see if we can get better results. I know, how much better can we be than 7-1? I’m looking long term. If you were an elite QB or WR, would you come to LSU? If your son was a talented player at those positions, could you honestly tell them that LSU offers them the best opportunity to develop as a football player?

* Defense was awesome after it woke up but stupid down the stretch. Hopefully Chavis gives them an earful this week.

* This team is very interesting from a mental standpoint. It’s obvious they play hard and refuse to get down or hang their heads. Terms like tough, gritty, patient and perseverance all come to mind when describing this team. These are all invaluable mental and emotional traits that are essential to winning. But other less flattering terms, such as undisciplined, careless and unfocused could be used as well.

With the off week, the Tigers get a much needed chance to rest. We will see if the coaching staff puts the time to good use, unlike the last time we prepared to play Alabama.

All Goals in Sight

Been a little busy this week but I wanted to throw a few thoughts out there from last week and look forward to the Aggies.

LSU strongly rebounded from the Florida set back to win an exciting game over South Carolina. Miles is now 18-1 after a loss while at LSU, simply amazing.

*The offensive line played its best game of the season dominating a very good SC defensive line. LSU generated 258 yards on the ground highlighted by Jeremy Hill’s 50 yard gallop to seal the game for the Tigers.

*For all the positives, the Tigers were poor in the red zone. Currently LSU is ranked 82nd nationally in red zone conversions. Looking at TD percentage, LSU is scoring 6 in less then half of their trips inside the 20. In five red zone attempts on Saturday, LSU only came away with three field-goals and one touchdown. It was good enough to win this week, but the Tigers must improve to beat Texas A&M and Alabama and continue the March to Miami. This is a coaching issue. The staff needs to design plays which highlight Mettenberger’s strengths and give the offense a chance. Calling a fade route to the short side of the field on 3rd and goal from the 4 is NOT A GOOD PLAY CALL.

*The defense was stellar as usual holding SC to 34 yards rushing and forcing 2 interceptions.

*The kicking game is not as strong as it was last year. Wing hasn’t been hitting the huge bombs we have grown accustomed to or pinning teams deep as he has done in the past. Alleman has already missed 3 field goals inside 40 yards. Alleman needs to improve with three big games coming up.

*LSU plays Texas A&M this weekend in a series that many expect to become a true rivalry as time goes by. A&M is very talented offensively but struggles on defense. The Aggies gave up 57 points last week to Louisiana Tech. A&M is ranked 10th in the league in total defense.

Expect the game to be tight through three quarters but the Tigers will slow down the tempo and wear out A&M in the fourth quarter with the running game. The defense will contain Johnny Manziel aka “Johnny Football” for the most part and come out 7-1 heading into the bye week.

LSU 27 – Texas A&M 17

Mid-Season Winners & Loooooosers

It’s the half way point of the season so let’s talk about some winners and losers. Feel free to post your own thoughts in the comments section.

Winners: Although I’m definitely not a fan of the parade of “alternate” uniforms bombarding college football, some of the new designs are pretty snappy. Vanderbilt, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Illinois look pretty good in the new gear.

Losers: Some of these are just terrible. Nebraska, Missouri, Notre Dame’s helmets and a majority of Oregon’s 384 designs.

Winners: The SEC. Four teams in the Top 10 and seven in the Top 25.

Losers: The BIG TEN. No teams ranked in the Coaches top 25 and the best two teams, Ohio State and Penn State are on probation.

Winners: Offensive Football. In 2003, only 2 teams averaged 500 yards or more of total offense per game. 39 teams averaged 400 yards or more. In 2012, a staggering 18 teams are averaging 500 yards or more of total offense per game while 69 teams are averaging 400 yards or more.

Losers: Defensive Coordinators trying to keep up with these high powered offensive units. (Excluding anyone that plays LSU and its anemic offense)

Winners: Group Think. All 60 AP voters selected Alabama as #1.

Losers: Independent Thought. Alabama has beaten five teams with a combined record of 13-14. You mean to tell me that among the 60 voters NOT ONE thinks Oregon, South Carolina, Florida or West Virginia, all undefeated, would beat Alabama on a neutral site? NOT ONE?

Winners: The internet, blogs, social media and TV. The more sports info out there the better.

Losers: Coaches bullying the media to push their own agenda. Just shut up and coach and stop reading the paper if you don’t like what is being said. Yes, I’m talking to YOU, YOU and YOU.

Winners: Upsets!! Stanford over USC, Washington over Stanford, NC State over FSU, Central Michigan over Iowa.

Losers: Terrible non-conference schedules suck the life out of September. Top 25 match-ups in September were like unicorns.  Of the current Top 25 teams, there were only two non-conference match-ups; Michigan v. Alabama and Michigan v. Notre Dame.  Even when you add the "others receiving votes" to the mix, (41 teams received at least one vote) there were only 7 non-conference match-ups total between the top 41 teams in the country.

Undefeated No More

Don't everyone freak out.  I'm sure the "drama queen" section of the LSU contingent is saying we may not win another game this season.  The more pessimistic of Tiger Nation sees LSU at 8-4 by season's end.  I happen to think 9-3 more likely.  Let's not forget, LSU has an elite defense which will keep every game close this season.  So what happened Saturday?

*LSU got beat by a better team.  LSU was outcoached by Florida's defensive staff and outplayed in the trenches.  Florida put the bye week to good use in its preparation for LSU beating the Tigers at their own game, hanging around and wearing out the opposition in the second half.

*The offensive play calling was predictable and uninspiring throughout the game.  Late in the first half, LSU had first and goal at the 6 and we couldn't punch the ball in.  The play calling was an absolute embarrassment.  First down: run.  This was mistake #1.  This is a perfect spot to throw a fade or go play action.  Mettenberger is much more effective throwing on first down.  A fade is a low risk play that could reap big rewards. Second down: a one man route with Mettenberger rolling out.  What could go wrong?  The ONLY option on the play got tackled in the back field and Mettenberger was lucky to get rid of it.  After having to TAKE 2 TIMEOUTS IN A ROW, we try to run another ONE MAN ROUTE trick play that didn't fool anyone.  Terrible, terrible, terrible.

*On LSU's last offensive drive, Gary Danielson commented that, "you can't hide your quarterback anymore."  He was dead on in his alluding to LSU's super conservative play calling.  LSU did run and pass 25 times each, but there was no attempt at misdirection or using Ford's speed on the outside.  The coaching staff didn't make any adjustments in the second half to try and get the offense moving.


* This may be the worst receiving corps I have ever seen at LSU.  The wide outs don't get open and when they do they drop the ball.  After the Auburn game I was touting Kadrone Boone as LSU's most reliable receiver, so what's he do on his return to his home state, drop two catchable passes in critical situations.  The first drop was on LSU's first drive at the Florida 21.  The second came later in the first half.  Had he caught that pass LSU would have had a first down and kept the sticks moving.  But Mettenberger was then faced with a third and ten and threw his only interception of the game trying to make a play.

*The offensive line has been a huge problem since Chris Faulk went down.  They just don't move the pile and pass protection is completely hit and miss.

*The Tigers turned to ball over three times, the second one after Mettenberger made his best throw of the game.  LSU amassed 8 penalties during the game as well.

*2 SEC road games, a total of 18 points.

*It's 2009 all over again.  The defense is on the field all game because the offense can't get a first down.  It reminded me of the LSU v. Florida game in 2009.  In that game LSU managed only 162 yards.  It felt that the game could have gone on for about 10 more quarters and the Tigers would not have scored.

*The defense was on the field 37 minutes and only gave up 14 points.  They were in the backfield for much of the first half but the offense could never capitalize.

*Wing had a fine game averaging 45.6 yards a punt on 7 kicks.  But he didn't get off any bombs and was not as effective as he has been in the past pinning the other team inside the 10.

*I will never question Beckham's effort, but I imagine he is frustrated and trying to do too much.  He fielded two punts inside the 10 when he should have let them go and he fumbled after making that big catch from Mettenberger.  Again, I think he may be pushing trying to "make something happen" because of LSU's offensive ineptitude.

Where does LSU go from here? 

In the long term Miles needs to clean house on the offensive side of the ball as he did back at the end of 2008 with the defense.  LSU needs a young talented offensive coordinator that can craft a functional passing game.  However, my fear is that whoever is calling the plays in the booth, Miles is down on the field keeping the OC's hands tied.  Offensive dysfunction has been a staple of LSU football since 2008.  The players, plays and assistants have changed, but Miles has been the constant.  It is very likely LSU's head coach is at the root of the offensive problems.

In the short term, the offense just needs to keep plugging away.  It's obvious that this line is not going to be able to sustain long drives so LSU needs to look for bigger plays in the passing game, high risk, high reward.  The problem is LSU faces what may turn out to be the best South Carolina team in the history of the program.  SC's defensive line is every bit as good as LSU's if not better.   The offense has a number of playmakers and Connor Shaw has been playing lights out this season. 

Les Miles is 17-1 after a loss and 22-6 in SEC home games in his time at LSU.  His only back to back losses came in 2008 when the Tigers lost to Ole Miss and Arkansas to close out the regular season.  LSU has won 21 straight games at home dating back to the previously mentioned 2009 setback versus Florida.  While the trend favors LSU, these appear to be two teams heading in opposite directions.   This is a trap game for the Gamecocks as they have Florida coming up next week.  This is a must win for the Tigers if they want to stay in contention for the Western Division.  Everything says South Carolina should come into Tiger Stadium and get a win.  But it won't be easy.  For all his shortcomings, Miles excels in these situations.  I just think LSU’s offensive problems will not be solved any time soon.

South Carolina 17 – LSU 16

Florida Week

Going into this season, I would speculate that many LSU fans looked at the Tiger’s schedule and scrolled down to the titanic battle with Alabama scheduled for November 3.  Many probably looked right past this week’s little match-up with the Mighty Gators of the University of Florida.  Going 13-1 and destroying everyone except the aforementioned Crimson Tide can do that.  But fans with longer memories and longer attention spans than my four year old son are very familiar with the beatings the Gators have laid on LSU over the years.  (Check out the Wiki on the LSU –UF Rivalry.) To wit, my Top 5 Florida beat downs over the last 20 years:

5. 1996: UF 56 – LSU 13. This was a good LSU team that went 10-2 that season. The Gators did win a National Title that season with Heisman trophy winner Danny Wuerffel. But losing by 43?!

4. 2008: UF 51 – LSU 21. LSU rolled into the Swamp undefeated at 5-0 ranked #3 in the country. Starting with this game, the Tigers imploded down the stretch going 3-5 in Miles’ worst season at LSU.

3. 2000: UF 41 –LSU 9. The “Brook Trout Look” game. Saban is much funnier when he loses and this was a serious beating coming one week after the big home win over Tennessee. He used the phrase “Brook Trout Look” to describe the LSU players who were outplayed all afternoon.

2. 2001: UF 44 – LSU 15. This LSU team won the Western Division and the SEC Title Game. Yet the Tigers were utterly destroyed at home by the Spurrier led Gators.

1. 1993: UF 58 – LSU 3. Representing the largest margin of victory in the series and possibly the worst loss in LSU history, this game showed how far LSU had fallen under Curley Hallman. I’m proud to say I sat through the entire debacle in the student section getting up to leave only after the clock had struck 0:00. There is a scene in the movie Fight Club that sensors deemed too brutal to be left in the movie, so instead of showing Ed Norton beat one of his followers near to death, the director presented the faces of the witnesses as they viewed the carnage. That was this game in a nutshell. Hide the women and children and burn the game tapes.

The Mental Game

I wasn't going to comment on the game, but after that dismal performance I feel compelled to say a few words.

* The LSU football team was bored last night. The players didn't want to be there and the fans didn't want to be there either as evidenced by the 40,000 no-shows. That "boredom" by the players shows up in the mental part of the game. LSU is ranked 108th nationally in the penalty department. The Tigers turned the ball over 10 times all of last season. This season they have fumble six times and thrown two interceptions already.  Unlike last season, this team is not nearly as focused and sharp.  Whatever Miles is doing to correct the problems is not work as of yet.

* LSU's offensive problems start up front. The Tigers are giving up over two sacks a game. While some of these are on Mettenberger, the O-line has to take a great deal of blame. Missed assignments and missed blocks are holding the passing game back. Losing Faulk and now J.C. Copeland is a big problem for that group.

* On the positive side, through five games, LSU is averaging over 200 yards passing per game and 400 total yards per game for the first time since 2008. Mettenberger was off last night, but he didn't hang his head and threw some nice deep passes that resulted in TD's in the second half.  Beckham also played very well catching two TD's and gaining 128 yards.

*Jordan Jefferson was on the sidelines for the game Saturday.  LSU has worst offensive performance all season.  Coincidence?  I don't think so.

* LSU's first five opponents are a combined 8-14. LSU's next five oppenents are a combined 21-1.

* The big question going into this weekend is: Are these mistakes mentioned earlier systemic or just a function of "boredom?" We will know a lot more about this team next week. Florida is by far the best team the Tigers will have faced this season. The Swamp is as tough a place to play as anywhere in the country. We embarrassed Florida last year so look for the Gators tro be highly motivated.

LSU's defense will be lights out and I'm not sold on Jeff Driskel running that offense. But can LSU get out of its own way on offense? IF the Tigers hold on to the ball and cut down on penalities they can certainly win the game. But execution and play calling must get better. LSU's offensive line is not good enough to just blow people off the ball. The staff MUST insert some plays that will slow down Florida's pass rush and help Mettenberger out. This game is terribly difficultto pick and I expect a close game throughout.  As of this writing LSU is a 2-3 point favorite.  I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see a championship team in the making with this group.

UF 23 - LSU 17