LSU v Florida; Oct 2008

Well, I can’t say that this year’s installment of the LSU/UF game was inspiring as 2007. In fact, it was down right miserable – if you’re a Tiger fan. I have to say that this game would be easier to write about, if I had actually watched the game.

Why I Didn't Watch
Can you blame me? It’s not like I didn’t start out wanting to watch the game. I arrived at my cousin’s house with beer in tow, ready for a good time. And I had one, chatting in the kitchen, as far away from the TV as possible. I played with the kids, nibbled on some snacks and wandered in to the TV room every 10 min or so. I just couldn’t sit in front of the TV watching them self-destruct.

Shots Anyone?
I’m not a big drinker, and I definitely don’t like to take shots, but I did throw the suggestion out there that maybe we should start when LSU gained only 4 yards on three possessions and we’re down 17-0. We didn’t take shots, thankfully since I drove myself home much earlier than I anticipated!

Not Surprised
I honestly can’t say that the outcome of the game surprised me that much. The LSU team as a whole has had some bright spots, but overall, they have played exactly the way they did on Saturday, just against weaker opponents. Think back to the first half at Auburn – we tried to dig a huge hole, but Auburn isn’t as opportunistic as Florida, thankfully. Even the first two rent-a-wins and the Miss State games weren’t all that dominating, save for Charles Scott.

Where’s Waldo (Scott)?
It was like that stupid where’s waldo game. You need to find the main character on offense, one Charlie Scott, and he’s on the sideline. Actually, maybe he did play more than I thought, but I didn’t watch the second or fourth quarters, in their entirety. I’m just thinking back to those first three series…

Live from New York
My parents were in NY this weekend but their vacation didn’t stop them from watching the game. It’s a shame but my reputation certainly precedes me when I get a text from my mom early in the first half making sure I am watching my language around the kids. Ouch. My reply was that I was fine, b/c I had already stopped watching the game.

Whoa is the O
I just don’t get it. I don’t know if it’s bad play calling, bad protection/blocking, bad routes, bad runs, or bad QB play (I think I covered every offensive position), it was just BAD.

Nail in the Coffin
It’s rare to have this kind of play in the first 2.5 minutes of a game but I knew LSU was doomed, when on the first Florida series, we hold them to third and 12, Tebow makes a bad pass, which McCray has a play on…and he tips it to Harvin for a TD. You could hear the air go out of the balloon. You can beat a team, but you can’t beat luck, and subsequently, momentum.

I Like Florida
Don’t let that confuse you, I wanted LSU to make a gator skin purse out of them. And if you don’t like that I like Florida, you can just stop reading now. I think they are a well-coached, very talented team. Their offensive scheme fits their personnel and their D is speedy and aggressive – overall they are very explosive. Which brings me to…

How did Ole Miss Beat Florida?
Gotta chalk it up to “everybody has a bad day,” but seriously, what the hell was Florida’s problem when the Rebs came to town and beat them at home?

Blitz
I just wanted to remind everyone that blitzing does still exist in college football, though the LSU defense has failed do anything to get pressure on a QB in at least the last few games.

My Blood Pressure
Did I yell at the TV – of course, though only for a short time. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this game was getting out of hand. I was as calm as I’ve ever been during a LSU game in recent memory. Why get all worked up when the end result will be the same, no matter what I say/do?

Four Yards on Three Offensive Series
Really? It seems mathematically impossible that a team down 7-0 then eventually 17-0, would fail to find a fire to carve out a first down or two. I’ve always said that we have “arguably” the best O-line in the country – I’m now arguing against them. After the first 3 and out, with one net yard, you would think we’d abandon the script and run Scott a few times in a row on the second series. Just smash-mouth up the middle. How silly of me! We did double our yards on that second series…to two net yards.

Out Coached
I don’t think anyone can argue with me when I say LSU was out-coached in this game. We had a poor game plan, didn’t make adjustments (especially on offense), and just didn’t come in mentally prepared. I’m not on the fire Miles bandwagon after one 30 pt loss, it’s college football and it happens, especially in the SEC. But, it’s the coaching issues that do concern me the most. You had a bye week, and this is what we get? Thank goodness we don’t have another bye week this season.

Hatch Does a Great Tebow Impression
Hatch’s TD run from a few yards out was a great impression of the hard running Tebow. Hatch got rocked on the initial hit, but kept those legs churning and pushed his way over the goal line. I was impressed by the short yardage effort.

Tebow
Did you see that goofy picture of him in The Advocate Sunday? It’s worth finding a copy. Caption is of Tebow “celebrating” at midfield – he is actually SKIPPING with a ridiculous grin on his face. I’m trying to be PC here, but, well, the picture didn’t do anything to solidify his sexual orientation, if you get my gay-ward drift.

Jump Pass
Didn’t see it, but as I was driving home early in the fourth quarter, I heard the call on the radio that Tebow attempted that DAMN jump pass that I loathe, but the LSU D tackled Tebow for a loss. Thank goodness. If he would have burned us for a TD a second time with that cop-out, candy-ass jump pass, I would have been beside myself with annoyance, among other feelings.

Tennis Tournament
As I mentioned in my last blog, I turned down tickets to the Florida game to play in a tennis tournament. I had several comments made that I should have forgotten about the tournament and gone to Gainesville – but who is laughing now? I did not win the tournament but Becky and I played very well and had a lot of fun (and got an October tan, which is awesome)! We won 2 and lost 1, which was as close as we could get to winning without doing so. We think some underhanded “funny business” was going on to keep us out of the wild card slot on Sunday. In all honesty, I’m not sure I could have played on Sunday anyway. Man, I was some kind of sore!

Final Score
I didn’t know what the final score of the game was until Sunday morning when I opened the paper (the actual paper, not the sell-out online version). Saturday night I left my cousin’s house early in the fourth quarter, went home, and tried to soak out some of my tennis soreness in the bath tub. Does it count that I was reading a book with a football storyline while I soaked in the tub?

FUGLY
If I had to sum up the Florida game in one word for the LSU team it would be FUGLY. No explanation should be needed. As my co-worker (who was at the game) texted me after the game ended - “That Sucked.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.