Painful...

That hurt…a lot. That game was there for the taking, but the Tigers couldn’t close out Alabama. A few thoughts on the game:

* Z Mett was brilliant. That was the #1 team in the country and Mettenberger carved them up all night. I challenge you to think back to a better performance by an LSU QB against a defense of that caliber. Mett was taking shots yet delivering time after time. Let’s hope this is a sign of things to come for LSU’s offense.

* The defense was great except for the two drives to end the first and second halves. This is a troubling problem that has cropped up. In the last three contests, South Carolina, A&M and Alabama, the defense has given up TD drives in the last 3 minutes of the game. I’m not sure what the problem is, but obviously it must be addressed.

* The “Hat” pulled out all the stops in this one, and got it wrong all night. There were 5 calls that bare scrutiny.

1. The fake FG: Terrible decision and the play as designed was an utter failure. LSU was playing well and a 7-6 score would have closed the gap and kept the fans motivated.

2. The 53 yard FG: this one could go either way. I didn’t like it, but I’m not going to say it was a bad call. But Alabama then turned around and drove for a TD at the end of the half.

3. The on-side kick: A lot of folks loved the call even though it didn’t work out. I didn’t like it. LSU had just cut the lead to 4 and had momentum. The defense was playing well and the risk far outweighed the rewards in my mind. Miles was bailed out when Alabama fumbled at the LSU 10.

4. Going for the first down on 4th & 1 with a Spencer Ware sneak: I would have rather tried for the FG with 8 ½ minutes left, but going for it was not a bad call. I did not like the play call though. That was a long way to sneak the ball when that formation totally tipped Bama off as to the play.

5. The FG attempt with less than 2 minutes left: I think the call had merit. The defense was great all second half and the 6 point lead places a good deal of pressure on Bama. My problem was the 3 plays before that. I would have been more aggressive and given Z Mett a chance to win the game on that drive. Play action on 2nd down would have had a real chance to work.

* Obviously Miles did not think that LSU could win the game playing “straight-up.” But as the game evolved it was clear that the players were clearly up to the challenge. It is a shame that things did not work out as LSU outplayed Bama for much of the night.

* The Tigers need to bounce back very quickly against a good but reeling Miss. State team. Expect a slow start but LSU will grind out another sloppy win in the fourth quarter.

LSU 27 – MSU 17

Everything at Stake

Everything says Alabama should win this game. The eyeball test, Vegas experts, the computers and all the stats known to man regarding college football point to an Alabama victory. The biggest question for the talking heads in the media is who would give Alabama the best game when they get to the National Championship. When not if.

And to a certain extent I’m buying in. I’ve seen LSU play eight games now. I’ve dropped more F-bombs on the Tigers than I can recall over the past two months. At times LSU can’t get out of its own way. The “Bad Miles” game management skills (or lack there of) have been on display this season.

But something tells me the “Hat” will have an answer this Saturday. Something tells me LSU will respond with a “damn strong” performance in the biggest game of the year.

There are a few things I don’t have to speculate on though:

* Tiger Stadium will be rocking, and no player for Alabama will have experienced that degree of fan intensity. Certainly McCarron will not have faced anything like Tiger Stadium for a full 3+ hours.

* LSU has played much better at home than on the road. Plus LSU has had two weeks to prepare.

* Alabama will not be able to run on LSU. The Tide only had 96 yards rushing in Tuscaloosa last season with Trent Richardson, and he is gone. I like LSU’s chances to hit McCarron and make him uncomfortable.

* LSU’s defense is national championship caliber. Alabama will not be moving the ball up and down the field on the Tigers.

This is a really tough game to pick. LSU must convert a few third downs and cannot turn the ball over. If both teams play to form, Alabama wins. But that’s not what is going to happen. The Tide will make a few uncharacteristic mistakes while the Tigers will minimize their own missteps. It will be tight match all the way through.  But LSU will get back into the National Title hunt and get a level of revenge for that beating at Alabama's hands so many months ago.

LSU 16 – Alabama 14