LSU v Florida: Week 6
I truly enjoyed Saturday’s game. I thought the Tigers played a pretty complete football game, save for a few minutes in the third quarter. They were dominant in all three phases and really pushed a promising Florida team around. The energy in the stands was a huge improvement from the Kentucky game. It seems that 3 more hours of tailgating does wonders for “morale.” I passed my first “flash-mobesqe” version of the Cupid Shuffle on Dalrymple by the Parade Grounds…and there was plenty of grilled, fried, blackened, smoked and sauce piquanted alligator to go around. It’s the Florida game, and regardless of who takes the field, it’s go time.
Jarrett Lee
One of his best games as a Tiger, without question. Lee’s TD pass to Randle on LSU’s second offensive play was the best pass he’s thrown all year. He hit Randle IN STRIDE, with a picture-perfect spiral. I should know since the whole play came right at me. He didn’t throw many passes but he made the most of the ones he did send sky-ward and managed a fantastic game. O, and hung 41 points on Florida. The best thing I saw was that he was clearly the starter and Jefferson the role player, which is the only way these Tigers win a National Championship.
Swagger
Confidence is good, over-confidence…not so much. LSU is currently walking a fine line in my opinion. Sure they can back the majority of it up and I know the players’ confidence is key in winning in the SEC, but I don’t want to get to that “over” part. You get over confident you start over looking lesser opponents then you get passed over for a chance at the National Title. These guys are GOOD. They play with swagger. Let’s just keep it on that side of the line.
Swagger 2.0
“When your punter gets flagged for taunting a ranked opponent, your team has it” is the caption for the “motivational” picture being circulated of LSU Punter Brad Wing’s penalized gesture. Funny. True. Swagger v. Cocky, another fine line.
Taunting?
So, I saw the “taunt” real time and knew he should get a flag, even before it was thrown. I’m a rule-follower and this was definitely the right call as far as the rule is concerned. However, the rule SUX. Had he directed his “actions” at the crowd it would not have been considered a taunt. That being said, is opening your arms in a “how you like me now” kind of gesture, while looking at a Gator player, really taunting? He didn’t even stick his tongue out at him. And he was running straight at the student section, in a once-in-a-lifetime moment. There was no high-step, Heisman pose, gang sign, etc. Re-write the rule to let the minor gestures like these go and key in on the ones that are a little more disruptive.
Declined
How silly does Muschamp feel for making the Tigers re-punt after we downed the first punt inside the 5? Sure I would have done the same thing, but what a dagger Wing’s decision to run, instead of punt, was. Regardless of the TD being removed, LSU gets a huge 1st down and really deflates the Gators’ spirit. In Muschamp’s defense, no one in that stadium knew that play was coming, not even Brad Wing until he was about to drop the ball to kick it…then the seas parted and God said, “Have this first down, and then some.”
Charlie Wide
Weis, I meant Weis…sorry Charlie. Tiki tubing must be missing one of their tubes – it’s permanently fixed on Charlie Weis’ belt. That man is round in the middle, to say the least. It makes for a very odd shape. Kind reminds me of a weeble wobble…weebles wobble but they don’t fall down!
Beer Cans in Tiger Stadium
In my last blog I mentioned the wacky guy that sits in front of us. Well, he was at it again with an aluminum miller lite can stuck to the crown of his head. It’s the first beer can I’ve ever seen in Tiger Stadium’s “cheap” seats, though it was empty.
TDs not FGs
At halftime I told my dad that the key to the game to that point was LSU scoring TDs and not settling for FGs. And then, we come out after halftime and settle for field goals. Sure they picked it back up and eventually finished off the Gators, but not finishing with TDs could cost the Tigers at some point.
FG Practice
Maybe that’s why LSU stalled so often….get Alleman some practice so he doesn’t get rusty. Hey, I’m all for the last minute field goal to tie/win. I just think, to be #1, LSU has to finish drives with TDs, which it has done remarkably well. That’s why Alleman needed some in-game practice. Let’s hope we don’t lean on him, a la 2010 and Jasper.
Ware
Spencer Ware is a beast. Should he elect to play baseball this spring, I would NOT want to be the first baseman who goes after an errant throw and ends up in Ware’s path coming hard down the line. Or a catcher, for that matter, with Ware bearing down on you with the game winning run. You won’t block the plate. It just won’t work. Don’t even try. He’s a beast and his health is paramount to the Tigers making a Championship run.
For Sale:
“Ford” running back, runs well, has great acceleration, but sputtered and coughed up the ball one time and has spent the time since then up on blocks, in the front yard, with grass growing all around it. Seriously, Michael Ford is paying a hefty price for a fumble that he recovered himself. We really need him to spell Spencer Ware, and I hope his time in purgatory makes him a better player for it. Miles isn’t messing around…protect the ball or one of our 5 other stud running backs will replace you. The next three guys are good, but young, and Ford’s experience is very important to Spencer Ware’s longevity this season.
O Line Woes
Injuries. The only thing that can slow down the Tigers romp to the November 5 showdown with Bama is injuries. TBob’s concussed (among other things) and yet he’s forced into playing center when he isn’t 100% (doesn’t bode well for the guy he replaced). As dominant as the line played in the first half, the holes were almost nonexistent in the third quarter. Yet we run…up the middle…when UF’s lineman were literally slapping TBob around (I heard one slap from my seat…ouch).With nowhere to run, and an unexplainable resolution to do so anyhow, the offense stalled. Punting, no matter how great your cocky punter is, should not be part of the game “plan”. Field goals? Hate ‘em. You should never settle. Complacency is fine…for second place. Once the UF defense wore down substantially, the Tigers got up and running again. Just worried that this tactic will allow a team to gain back some momentum and catch up with us late in the game.
Flo-Rida
Painful offensive effort - check. Solid defensive effort – um, not so much. Are we that good, are were they THAT bad? Yes. To both. Florida’s offense wasn’t exactly great with Brantley, but remove the #1 and #2 QBs and you’ve got trouble. In talking before the game, I predicted that Burton was going to play a huge role in their offense, as one of the few options with QB experience. He had an impact, as did their speed guys, and hey the #3 Freshman QB had some moments, but this was not their week. I actually questioned a few offensive play calls, but who doesn’t with CW as the coordinator? Defensively I expected more from Muschamp’s group. Give the Tigers much credit, they had a great offensive game plan and executed fairly well. But I truly didn’t expect to win by 30…but I will take it!
Lunch Bunch
Once every few weeks/months for the last several years, I get together with three other girls for lunch, and we chat about a wide range of subjects. Tennis, other people, etc lend toward our typical topics but during football season you will not find a cooler group to discuss football with. Anyone within earshot would be impressed that a table of four attractive, intelligent, down to earth “chicks” could have a discussion about LSU football worthy of any sports show. So if anyone is hiring for a one day a week, cush sports talk (afternoon) job, we’re available, because we REALLY want to play day tennis and be “ladies that lunch.”
Honey Badger
Are you freakin’ kidding me? Did that just happen…again? You could feel it in the air…the anticipation mounting…when will the Honey Badger strike? How will the Honey Badger strike? And then…wait…yes, INTERCEPTED by Tyrann Mathieu…the HONEY BADGER! That was actually Dan Borne’s call (not necessarily verbatim), but he did tack on the HB nickname, throwing the already raucous crowd into a fit of hysteria. Although this play by Mathieu wasn’t as flashy as most of his others, it showed that he truly is a great football player, not just one-hit wonder. All game long he made some really great plays, staying in his lane, and even getting a big tackle for a loss. On the INT he had incredible position on the receiver, who by the way had what looked like 10 inches on Mathieu, AND covered Mathieu’s eyes, and HB STILL outplayed him for the ball. The Honey Badger takes what the Honey Badger wants.
Third Quarter Lull
LSU has a penchant for coming out a little slow after halftime. We’ve been lucky enough to defer to the second half and get the ball to star the third quarter but we have to finish that drive. To come out after halftime and increase the lead, or when we have to, chip away at the opponent’s lead, is critical. See above: finishing with TDs and not settling for FGs.
He’s no Tim Tebow
I know I’m not supposed to like other team’s players more than LSU’s but Tebow was special…Jordan Jefferson is also “special” (bless his heart) but not in the same way. Jefferson’s imitation of Tebow’s jump pass for a TD was executed well. And I even liked the “in your face” call by the LSU coaches. That’s the dagger we’ve sometimes been reluctant to drive into teams. It’s also called Swagger.
Jefferson’s Playing Time
I think the LSU coaches did a much better job managing the QB situation this week and you could tell the crowd thought so too. No boos, but there is still mild grumbling about Lee being relied on to lead the Tigers all the way down the field, only to have JJ come in and get the TD. The thought is the TD is the reward, and that if JJ doesn’t earn his way on the drive, he shouldn’t reap the reward. I agree, but it is what it is and if the coaches see that Lee is the guy, I can deal with JJ intermittingly. I just have to point out two things 1. Jefferson – pitch the damn ball. Even I know you’re keeping it on every option run. Let’s “pull a fast one” on the defense and actually pitch it one time, just for kicks (no pun intedned). 2. Although I blame the coaches for making a late decision to insert Jefferson into the play at the goal line, JJ came into the game with NO IDEA how much time was left on the clock, never looked, and, as a result, had no sense of urgency, forcing the coaches (not the QB as it should be) to recognize the dwindling play clock and call an unnecessary time out. Again, the coaches wasted too much time making the QB change, but JJ is a senior, and his clock management has always been deplorable and it seems this is not one of the areas he improved on the past year. It’s the little things like that that make him the ideal #2 QB.
Redundant
So, even I could “sniff” out that FLordida’s go-to play on 1st ,2nd, or 3rd and long had the RB going out to the right flat and the TE releasing down field. It worked once with a pass to the RB and once with a pass to the TE and LSU looked confused on both. I think they finally caught on but shame on Florida for going to the well too many times. I guess they finally found something they could successfully do on offense and ran it until we stopped it. Can’t blame them.
If this Stadium’s a Rockin’
We know Death Valley can rock in the dark, but Saturday’s crowd didn’t care that the sun wouldn’t go down until the last play of the game (literally – that’s when the right side of my face finally got some relief). The 3rd largest crowd in LSU history was ROCKIN’. We’re starting to get the hang of this daytime thing. Good thing, since the Auburn game will also kick off at 2:30 in a few weeks.
VooDoo
Miles must have some kind of VooDoo doll of the opponents starting quarterbacks. Tennessee’s starter was hurt Saturday and is out for 6 weeks. Once again the Tigers face a backup, but this time, on his turf. UT’s biggest problem is a one dimensional passing game. No run game? Perfect. You keep the ball back there with your #2 QB and our defensive line will hunt you down. The Honey Badger will come out of no where and take what he wants. You better get rid of it quick, because we’re coming for it…
BCS Polls
The first BCS poll will be release this weekend. I expect, that with a win over the Vols, LSU will start at #1. Their strength of schedule and double digit wins will make the computer’s job easy. It’s unfortunate that this matters. The BCS is a crap.p.y system and needs to be flushed. For now, we just deal and hope that we finish at #1.
Tough Sledding
LSU’s schedule is brutal. Every week (with the exceptions of Northwestern, Western Kentucky, and
Is it Ok?
Is it ok to believe that this LSU team is legit and will continue their dominant winning? Is it ok to believe that these Tigers will not falter mightily and let me down? Is it ok to believe we are the best? Is it ok to believe in Les Miles?
Prediction
One of the largest venues in college football doesn’t intimidate the #1 LSU Tigers. The defense has a field day with a struggling passing offense with no run game, and the offense just wears the Vols out. No last second heroics needed this year. LSU trudges to a 35-10 victory.
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