LSU @ Auburn (Sept. 2008)

So this game had so many ups and downs, it's led this blog to have the same feel. I can't even remember half of what happened, b/c it was so crazy. But, here goes...

I've read a couple of articles that say this installment of the LSU v. Auburn saga won't have a creative tag attached, like "The Earthquake" game. I disagree. I think I will call it the "I had a headache for 3.5 hours b/c by blood pressure went up and down like a bad rollercoaster ride" Game. Catchy huh? Seriously, what a great game. Wasn't always pretty, but with the games we have coming up we had to get the win.

Trindon
Bad news - you muff two punts, you ride the pine. Good news - we play Miss State next week. That should give you some confidence back. We need you to make big plays, but if anything, just be in the game to make the other team nervous - not your own! Bless your heart.

Questionable Call
J. Lee's horrible pick 6 pass brings me to question more than one call on the play:
1. Why take Hatch out at this point in the game? I felt considerably safer when he was in the game and our defense was playing well. To that point, Lee had been sketchy, at best. Coach, I know YOU know how he can throw, but he hasn't been steady in game situations, to say the least.
2. Why run that flare route to the short side of the field? First, you put your untested QB in a tough position with a poor play call. Second WHAT THE HELL WAS LEE THINKING? What made him think that the RB was more open after he had attempted to pass, pumped then threw ball - nope, still covered. Throw the ball away!

which leads to...

Tirade
Good or bad, my vocabulary can get pretty colorful during football season. After Lee's ridiculous decision, my language rivaled that of the colors found in a Sherwin Williams Paint store. I used every curse word I know at least five times, then I put them into run on sentences together, then I just started making up my own new words. I stooped so low as to yell at J Lee - sit down you and your fat face...

which leads to...

My Apologies
My mom thinks that I owe Lee an apology, and I have to agree. Thankfully he proved me wrong, but at that point in the first half I was not happy, to say the least. I tend to forget that these kids are just that - kids. Lee is 19 years old, so, b/c I have to blame someone, I'll go back to the coaching decision to first, put him in the game at that point, then - well, I've already been through this. To J. Lee - I'm sorry.

Lotto
I play a lot of sports and firmly believe that sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. On the long TD to C. Mitchell I sent a text to a friend saying - he's a lucky S.O.B. To which he replied - need to buy a lotto ticket. This was a perfect example of getting a little lucky, which turned into Lee getting some confidence and stepping in to some nice throws, and getting the "W." I would have given up the "W" for winning the Lotto - sorry Tiger fans.

Commentators Made a Funny
Early in the game, LSU ran a "read" play, which didn't work out so well. One of the commentators said something to this effect, "Well, Hatch must have had dyslexia on that read play." Cracked me right up!

Hats off to Todd
Auburn's QB got no love from anyone before the game. I thought the coaches put him in a good positions and he executed well. But, too bad, so sad.

The Finger
I gave simultaneous single finger salutes to Corso and Herbstreit for picking Auburn to win the 2008 "Tiger Bowl." Though if I was an impartial football enthusiast I probably would have picked Auburn to win at home. Since I'm not impartial in this case - Salude!

"Tiger Bowl?"
Not sure who coined the LSU v. Auburn game this insightful and creative name, but I do like it. This match up will continue to have serious implications for the SEC West winner in the years to come - I'm just glad that the nation is finally recognizing this game as important, instead of just a competitive game.

Defense
Get pressure on the QB - check. Create turnovers - check. Don't give up the big play - not so much, but since we won - I'll give it to them. Hold the opposition to less points that you have - check. They only gave up 14 points (Lee gift wrapped and delivered the other 7). The D played big when we needed it, though a couple of costly penalties may hurt us in future games. A couple of guys made big mistakes but came back on the very next play to make amends. Shepherd wants to be his own #11, but his idiotic late hit out of bounds made him look just like another #11 famous for making bad decisions - which I yelled at the TV.

The biggest play, which followed what could have been the biggest mistake, was made by Rahim Alem. After a 15-yard penalty against him, Alem comes back and sacks Todd for a 15-yard loss. It's more than just a "wash." Second and 25 is virtually impossible compared to second and 10, when you're in your 2-minute drill on the probable game winning drive with an inexperienced QB. Good job Defense.

Onside Kick

Nice. Faked out Auburn, the camerman, everyone watching the game with me...etc. Very nice.

Dazed and Confused
Andrew Hatch was a steady presence while he was in the game (except when he had to throw, but I will not rip apart his inability to throw in this segment - see below). He was extremely UNsteady after his five yard gain knocked him woozy. For the record - he did not collapse on the field. As he walked off the field like a drunk headed to 48 hrs of sleeping it off in a cell, the sidelines motioned for him to go down, so LSU could use an injury time-out, instead of using one of their own. Not that I think Hatch had any problems falling to the ground, but it wasn't a result of the injury. I needed to explain, b/c I talked to someone today that thought he was injured that badly.

Hatch's Throwing
Richard Condon had this to say about Hatch, "If it's a punt, pass, and kick competition, no way Hatch has a chance. Maybe if it was a punt and kick competition." Man, his mechanics are not good. That low release allows him to get no velocity on the ball. I joke a lot that I could throw better than some QBs, but I just might have a shot!

Cutie Pie
So, I wish Hatch the best in his recovery from a concussion, neck injury or whatever actually happened. But it was nice to get a few close ups of his baby face cuteness. Even though he looked like he had NO IDEA what was going on - it was precious.

O-Line
Arguably the best in the country, they had a few problems with the speedy Auburn D. Ciron, buddy, you have got to get that big body on somebody. You and Herman need to watch game tape of the plays where you guys were the lead block, but not hitting anyone. Come on guys, you're better than that. Overall though, solid performance.

Punting
I don't like the kicking game. I think you should always have to go for it. But, since we live in a world of pansy-ass football (ha) I have to give kudos to Dalfrey...or was it Jasper...no Dalfrey. First two games - not good. Auburn game - good. Good job of keeping the field position in LSU's favor. Now stop being twins and get your own number.

Receivers
These guys are good. Their effectiveness is a tale of two quarterbacks - one who can throw and one that can't. Great second half. Good grabs, good yards after the catch, good routes, good job. This group will put Lee into the lead at QB. Too much talent to go unused.

"The Advocate" Headline
"It's Lee with Glee" - WTF? So lame. Not all headlines have to rhyme or sound gay.

Charles Scott
Congrats on being the first LSU Tiger to rush for over 100 yards at "Jerden" Hare. Three 100-yard rushing games and some really good looking bursts. We'll need that to give our young QBs the play action option. Man was that effective in the second half. You are now the work horse on this team - congrats.

I hate USC
That's all I have to say about that.

I Hate Alec Baldwin
Watching the Emmy's - He just beat out Steve Carrell ("The Office") for outstanding lead actor in a comedy serious. NOT EVEN CLOSE. Stupid Hollywood politics. I'm changing channels back to the Dallas/GB game.

Tim Tebow
Don't hate him but I do hate that stupid jump pass he throws when his within the five-yard line. LSU was the first victim of this play three years ago, and he got Tennessee with it for the first TD in Saturday's. It's just stupid (that's my intelligent explanation).

Critique
I was a little disappointed that LSU didn't capitalize on great field position in the first half. One field goal out of at least 4 possessions that started with very favorable field position was frustrating to watch. Need to work on taking advantage and finishing drives.

Yelling at the TV...again and again
On the pitch back to #5 (as Coach Miles refers to Keiland Williams) all I could see was him catch the ball and not run north and south. I jumped up to yell at him to stop dancing (as he tends to do) when he pulled up to pass. Since I was already up, I jumped up and down and cheered the TD catch by Byrd. Now that was a good play call. Never satisfied, I also yelled at the TV when Crowton called a pass play (that ended up being the game winner) instead of running some more time off the clock. Guess that's why he's the OC and I'm not.

Black and Mild
I don't smoke, but I wish I would have thought to buy a pack of black and mild cigars, or maybe some swisher sweets, and just light 'em up - the whole box - when the final seconds ticked off the clock. Here's to you, Tubby.

Coaching
LSU was out-coached...in the first half. Good field position = only 3 pts. Our halftime conversation revolved around the fact that LSU never seems to have clever plays called nor do they seem to be coached as sharply at times. Hard to knock our coaches when they win, and I wasn't counting us out of the game at the half, but it makes it a little nerve-wracking.

Saints
Just a quick note. Cut Martin Gramatica.

I'm not saying, I'm just saying...
If Hatch is healthy, I start J. Lee anyway next Saturday. Let him carry the load in a full game, b/c he showed some signs of being our best bet this year, solely on his ability to get the ball to our talented receivers. Hatch is a great backup, b/c of his game management, but we need to put up some points and Lee seems to be the guy to get it done. Don't make a fool out of me Jarrett.

Final Thought

Maybe I had a headache from all that yelling?