LSU v Miss State & West Virginia – a 2-for 1 special!
Slacker
So, the last two weeks have been crazy, and I’ve neglected my blog. It just isn’t high on the priority list, folks. I thought with LSU playing a Thursday night game, I’d have a few extra days to write and definitely get my blog done before the WVA game, despite a busy schedule – WRONG. So, what you’re getting is a 2 –for-1 deal. Though the Miss State game is a distant memory, and the #1 ranking takes away from the actual games themselves, I’ll do my best to recount some fond football memories from the past 2 weeks.
Busy, busy
So I took a much needed, but all-too-short, vacation in the midst of the stress of prepping our new house to pour the slab. I’m happy to report that the slab has been poured successfully. This is when the house-building stress goes away…right?
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Thursday Night Football
I don’t think I’m a fan. But I might be. I am as undecided about this as I am deciding if Chaz Bono was ever female. The half-beard creeps me out. Anyway, I like being on the national stage as the lone game, but I hate that the best (I use “best” loosely) televised games on Saturday include Notre Dame or Penn State. O the insanity! I like having Saturday free to do other things, but I really don’t like having to get up for work the morning after the game. O the confusion! I like watching the game in a quiet environment (aka, by myself b/c my husband went to bed), but I don’t like that I can’t get together with a group of people to watch the game, because it’s a “school” night. O the madness!
We Won
That’s about all I can remember about this game it’s been “so long” ago. We beat Miss State. I remember we should have scored more points, but the Bulldog D was tough. I remember Lee throwing his only INT of the year, but it wasn’t a big deal. I’m sure Mathieu made a big play, though I don’t remember one specifically. I remember our D harassing the Miss St QB a good deal of the time and only allowing 6 points. It’s all just so hazy…
Clear as a Bell
The one thing that is not hazy is those damn cow bells. So obnoxious. I still go back to my one trip to Stark-Vegas and how un-college football like Miss State’s stadium is. The band, well, they may as well be nonexistent. You can’t hear them over the thumping rap music been blown from the huge scoreboard speakers. More of a pro-football feel, without the beer.
Props
I am forced to give credit for the Be “LEE” ve comment I used in my last blog to Kurt. Yes, I stole it from his FB post, and no I wouldn’t have given him any credit at all and felt no guilt, except he whined and played the “all proceeds from this comment could pay for my son’s college and you don’t want him not to be able to go to college because you stole it, do you” card. So, because I happen to like his cute 7-year old, I’ll give Kurt his credit. But Kurt, hate to tell you, there is no $$$ in clever FB posts or this blog. Start saving, buddy.
WEST VIRGINIA
Best Game Day Ever. Almost.
I spent WVA game day on the beach, with blue skies, a cool breeze and cold beer. With visions of homemade sliders, fries, more cold beer and LSU football with the fam dancing in my head. Without a doubt the best game day experience EVER. You can take your tailgating and shove it. There is nothing better than a Gulf-side game day…until you have to leave suddenly. Damn jobs and reality. The Hubby had to come back to work, so at 5 pm, after a gloriously relaxing day on the beach, we threw our stuff back in the car and started the 5-hour trek home. We didn’t even get to play miniature golf, eat those sliders, or drink one game beer L.
Radio…again
I’ll say this for the drive home, it went by much faster than the ride there. True, that is usually the case on road trips, but add in there intently listening to Jim Hawthorne’s call of the WVA game, and time flies by. I have reached my quota of radio games for the decade. That’s two already this year, and I’m ready to see some live action, or see some TV action…hell, I just want to “SEE” a game.
Hawthorne-isms
So I’ve been impressed with the fact that I haven’t been too annoyed by Jim Hawthorne’s calls of either of the games I’ve listened to. Maybe that’s because I had no other options, but I digress. I did happen to jot one Hawthorne-ism down from the WVA game… “he’s an elusid player”…um Jim, I think you mean “elusive”.
Mustard-berger…again
Probably the only positive thing to come out of my forced radio listening was that I didn’t have to listen to Musberger call the game…again. I did ask my brother what kind of nonsense Mustard had to say, and he said that Mustard was “drinking the Koolaid” in favor of LSU. Would that koolaid be called “Purple Drank?”
Game Film
So, I did actually get the watch the majority of the LSU/WVA game on Sunday, thanks to DVR. It wasn’t really enjoyable. I felt like I was watching game film – Fast Forwarding through the commercials and huddles..ooops too far…rewind, hit play, PLAY, damn it, too far, I already watched that, FF back to the next play..PLAY... Grrrr…
Trashy
Trash talking disgusts me and it seems like LSU does more than it’s fair share. Some would say if they can back up this “talk” then it’s ok, it just part of the game. I disagree. I’m sure there’s a time and place for it, but LSU went a little too far. I saw a clip during the game of the LSU DBs trash talking the WVA wide receivers…during WARMUPS. Standing on the sideline jawing at the WVA players while doing that thuggish head-bob –you know the one. I’m just old-school, you know, letting your performance speak for itself instead of having to tell people how good you are.
Stupid D
By “Stupid” I mean stupid good. The WVA stat of passing for around 500 yards is accurate, but crap. It’s all dinks and dunks. Yes, we gave up a few biggish plays here and there, but holding that offense to 21 points, in a hostile environment is pretty darn good. The number of LSU defensive players around the ball each play is impressive, especially when WVA was spreading the field. Sure, we missed several tackles and had 0 sacks…that’s why I didn’t say there are “stupid” great. But man, are they fun to watch!
Honey Badger
I’m sure Mathieu wishes this nickname would go away. Can you imagine being an undersized kid trying to impress your peers/coaches with the nickname of a furry animal? Thank goodness TM is a football freak show…we wouldn’t want him to be stymied by a silly nickname! This kid is really unbelievable. Part of me wondered if it was just luck, and as each game came and went, I wondered how long this “luck” would last. Now, I think he’s just that special. Do I think his aggressiveness will eventually lead to a big play against him? Yes. But I’ll take one burn play, for the 10 other sick plays he makes each game. He really makes watching football fun.
RR
Just unimpressed. I am so disappointed in Rueben Randle. He has made some nice catches…big catches. But, he hasn’t become the “go to” guy I’ve expected. I’m not just keying in on the dropped TD pass, but he just doesn’t play “big”. He seems to have Marques Colston’s ability, with no drive. I hope he proves me wrong, and soon, because there are a couple of very talented freshmen ready to make their mark.
Shep
Glad to see Russell Shepherd back with the team, but still not sure he will be a dominate force. This kid has oodles of talent, but I just don’t think he’s found his groove quite yet. He could be considered a disappointment so far, but that’s not entirely his fault. He seems to be a good kid that works hard and is committed to doing whatever the team needs. I just hope he clicks with the offense soon.
Reverse, Reverse
Who runs a double reverse with a tight end? Regardless of Lee missing his block, who does this? Ok, I’m sure there are several people, but it still irked me. Maybe I’m more annoyed because we had WVA on their heels and just needed to run the football straight at them and didn’t need to get cute. Cute has no place in football (unless we’re talking about how someone looks – wink, wink Herbstreit).
J. Lee Strong
Lee again impresses with a very solid performance. He is throwing very well, sharp, on target. He is the leader and that shows. Our defense is the #2 reason we are 4-0…J. Lee is the #1 reason we are #1. Just needs to work on his blocking…
Ware and Ford
These guys are the #3 reason we are #1. They are just tough to bring down. If our O-Line can continue to block effectively (aka, just a little crease here and there), we could have two 1000 yard rushers this season. Their ability to wear out a defense, especially in the fourth quarter, will be how we close the door on many teams this year. They are our finishers.
GONG
The chime that sounds on every third down in WVA’s stadium really got on my nerves. I can’t imagine how irritating it was in person. I’m all for tradition and such, but what is the point, what does it mean? All I thought every time I heard it is that it was past my bedtime.
Gong v. Cowbells
Question: which irritated me more? Answer: Cowbells; Q: Which could I handle every week? A: Not the cowbells; Q: Which would I rather be banned from football games? A: Cowbells
Welcome, A&M?
I don’t like how the college football world, and its make-up, is in flux right now. I’m trying to embrace the changes, but why do we have to mix up these conferences so much? I was just starting to feel like I knew who went where. So, A&M thinks the grass is greener in the SEC, huh? Has to get out from UT’s shadow, huh? I can’t say I really blame them. And it gives LSU another great rivalry game. I just hope A&M can bring it, and not end up as the Vandy of the West.
Smokin’
Houston Nutt is in the hot seat. I’ve said it before and it just gets more obvious every week - things in Oxford are muy enfuego. I’m not even sure that he’ll last the whole season. Too bad for Ole Miss…we feel your pain (Curly Hallman).
We’re #1
LSU moved up to #1 in one poll this week, and deservedly so. I agree with many sports writers who are of the opinion that it’s not what the others have done wrong, it’s just that LSU has played the tougher opponents, at tougher venues, and prevailed convincingly. I do believe, that if Bama beats Florida this weekend, convincingly, they could move up to #1, even if LSU manhandles UK. But it would have to be a very dominate victory for Bama. As I tried to explain to my mom (she asked, but I think she regretted it after about 2 minutes) this poll position is subjective, and it’s all about who you play this week and how well you play. We just have to keep winning…convincingly.
UK
Upset Alert? I honestly don’t believe so. Why? 1. Been there, done that. 2. We’re just too solid 3. We’re at home. UK might have a little fight in them but I believe LSU will be fired up to play at home as #1, and that they’ll prove they deserve the ranking. At least I hope so, because I’ll be there and I will be POed if they suck it up.
Prediction:
LSU 45, UK 10
Saints Comeback
I admit I have not watched/listened to much football outside of LSU, including the Saints. I’ve caught snippets of each game, but have yet to give them my undivided attention. I did catch then end of the game against the Texans and was really impressed with the comeback effort. Brees and Co. looked unstoppable in the 4th quarter and the often-criticized defense played well. I was equally unimpressed with the Texans ability to close out the game. They’ve got some work to do.
Jefferson’s Return
I was ready to send out the blog when news of Jefferson’s reinstatement was announced, so I needed some time to collect my thoughts before sending. First, Jarrett Lee IS, and should be, the unquestioned starter for the LSU Tigers. He has demonstrated poise through mountains of criticism early in his career, stepped up in the face of disgraced teammates, and become the leader of the #1 ranked LSU Tiger Football team. He is the kind of kid you want to lead the football team we cheer for so passionately each week. He isn’t flashy, a Heisman candidate, or going to garner other major accolades, but I am proud to call him our QB.
Pride…something that I expect anyone that has been given the opportunity to play football for LSU would have. A respect for the institution and all that it is capable of giving back is something so many young football players seem to take for granted. There was never any question about the athletic gifts bestowed on Jordon Jefferson, but I always questioned his mental maturity to handle the pressure and challenges of playing for LSU. My concern stemmed from questionable decision making (at times), and that dumbfounded look that was ever present on his face, anytime a camera caught a close up. His actions last month only proved that his maturity on the field as an athlete does not translate to his ability to be a true leader of this football team, especially one ranked #1. For his sake, I am glad the charges first filed against him were reduced, but his guilt, on a smaller scale, is still in question. As the leader of the football team, he snuck out after curfew, and, as it stands now, was somewhat involved in an altercation, actions unbecoming of the leader of our football program. I think it is a positive step for him to be reinstated as part of the program, and I really don’t think it would be terrible for him to get a few snaps here and there, but I don’t think he should be granted another year of eligibility, and I don’t think J. Lee’s position and the starting QB should ever been in jeopardy (barring an injury, of course). This is an excellent opportunity for all of these young men to learn that, in the “real” world, you are held accountable for your actions, reaping the benefits of hard work, and patience, and paying dearly for immaturity and poor choices.
The only thing I fear for the LSU Football team is if starts Lee tensing up and looking over his shoulder at who would replace him if he does anything wrong. That kind of fear leads to bad decision making and interceptions. I hope, that with the maturity he’s developed, comes the mindset to play the way he has been playing – smart, accurate…and #1.
Boo Birds
Will I boo Jordan Jefferson if he takes the field Saturday? No, at least not out loud. And I don’t think anyone else should either. However, I will be booing him a little in my head for all of the drama, distraction and negative publicity his actions have brought to the program. Will I cheer when/if he takes the field? Definitely not. And I don’t think anyone else should either. I’m mean like that – I will not reward bad behavior. Just like a kid who breaks a rule or has done something that disappoints his/her parents, JJ has to earn back my trust and my cheers, on the field and off.
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