LSU v Alabama – Week 10

LSU v Alabama – Week 10

Whew. Glad that’s over. The “Game of the Century” was a roller coaster, complete with high fives, foul language, criticizing play calls, 12 ft screens, BBQ and cold beer…and that was just at our party! I certainly didn’t buy into the game hype of the best game ever. I honestly got sick of all of the media surrounding the game in the two weeks prior. I couldn’t imagine what it was like for anyone who is a fan of any other school in the nation. I was tired of hearing about LSU/Bama, and I’m sure the fans of other schools were nauseated with the love being poured on this one game. So to say I was glad to see kickoff arrive was an understatement.

This is the quickest version of my blog ever. This is a busy week and I’ve used any and all extra minutes at night to piece something together…I just couldn’t let the Bama game go by without writing something. So, as soon as I hit “send” I’ll think of something I could have added, but, at least you got something!

Advantage: LSU

Prior to kickoff I felt really good about our head coach and what he brings to the table in a game with so much pub. His relaxed, jovial demeanor has to rub off on his players in what was sure a tense two weeks of preparation. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Saban’s more business-like approach, but these players are immature, youngsters that may not be equipped to handle business-like just yet. So I definitely felt better about LSU’s more relaxed approach.

Relaxed doesn’t mean I thought the Tigers would not be prepared. But it’s all in the way it’s handled. Then, the game starts and all bets are off!

Party People

If you’ve never watched a football game on one of those 12ft inflatable screens, with an HD projector, I highly recommend it. Being out in the night air, instead of inside on the couch, makes you feel like you’re closer to being AT the game. The players being almost life size is pretty cool too. The pesky wind did attempt to thwart our big screen bliss by bending it in half, but we MacGyvered a fix and enjoyed the show! Saban’s tantrums were fun to watch when he was about 10 ft tall!

Who would have thunk it?

Les Miles coached by the book. Nick Saban got gimmicky. Who would have thunk it that such a role reversal would be in store? Kudos to our quirky coach for being the better strategist. Sure I still questioned a few of his in-game decisions (what arm-chair QB doesn’t), but I take off my ill-fitting hat to the mad-hatter for keeping it real.

Critiques

My first, and biggest, critique of the LSU coaching staff was sitting Jarrett Lee for so long after his first INT. I agree that after the first INT, LSU’s offense needed a shot in the arm, and putting Jefferson in for some different plays was the right call. The option was an asset when executed well, and we had some moderate success moving the ball. But when we started running standard, J Lee type plays, with Jefferson at QB (hand offs up the middle, and the like), there is no reason not to put Lee back in to execute a few clean handoffs and get back in the game mentally. Instead, he sits and watches JJ lead the offense with much of the same results (minus the INT), for a long time. When he’s finally inserted back in the game (2^nd half), it’s for a throw down the field, from deep in his own territory.

That brings me to my second critique of the coaches. Why that play call? I do think that getting Lee a completion right out the box is a nice gesture, but why not call a route like an out/up, or a go route, where our guy catches it or no one does. Lee just could throw it up and let the WR go get it. I don’t know if the route was poor or what, but I know the throw was ugly. Lee’s two INTs were possibly his worst two throws of the season. He had time on both, and panicked. So, critique #3 is Lee’s play. He just didn’t have a good game. I do think we could have thrown better and taken Bama out of the game early, but he was off, and our best bet truly was the option.

So, on to critique #4…the playing calling just before halftime. With LSU deep in Bama territory, riding the option most of the way, we abandoned what works and with the seconds ticking away, make some poor play calls. On first and goal, with one time out, run the damn option. You only need a few yards, get outside and run to the pylon. Nope, we throw??? with Jefferson as the QB? Ugh. That didn’t work. Then on second down, and the half at the bitter end, we now decide to run…up the middle. Ugh x2! There wasn’t enough time to get to the outside with a run and still have a play left, I guess. As it was, Miles was barely able to get the time out to kick the FG. When interviewed at the half, Saban admitted to having difficulty stopping the option, yet when it was imperative to get as many points as possible we don’t run it! Stupid. So, did the coaches see Saban’s halftime interview and decide, hey let’s come out in the second half and run the option they are having difficulty with. Nope.

Jefferson’s Clock Management

Seriously, he has none. When LSU had to burn a time out in the first half, even Miles was gesturing to Jefferson to look at the clock – Miles actually pointed two finger at his own eyes and then at the clock, meaning, hey JJ you gotta watch the clock. Of course, my interpretation of what he was actually saying to Jefferson differed slightly, but it was really funny and extremely inappropriate. Jefferson has been at the helm too long, and made too many of the same mistakes, to not learn from them, yet he’s allowed to be in the game in crucial situations with no regard to the clock. So frustrating.

Jefferson as “The Advocate’s” player to watch

In Saturday’s ridiculously long look at the LSU/Bama game, Jefferson was named LSU’s player to watch. I have a serious problem with this. Even though he came in and seemed to be a difference maker, my problem is with the consistent positive publicity this kid continues to receive, regardless of his off-the-field decisions and his me-first attitude. I have no problem with him playing as the option QB for the Tigers. I know he can help the team, but consistently regarding this kid as the face of the program is disgusting.

Lee

You want to talk about a team-first approach, read “The Advocate’s” piece on Jarrett Lee’s decision to stay and play for the Tigers. It’s heart-warming and it makes you want to cheer harder for this kid. He had a bad game Saturday, but he’s not done yet. He’s the key to winning the national championship for the Tigers.

Miles, the Man

Another good read: ESPN’s article on Les Miles. Late in the week before the game I was avoiding all media about the game, but had to read this. It is an excellent story about Miles’ struggle to balance family and football, as all coaches have to do, but it shows a side to Coach that is endearing. I’m telling you, I’m about ready to buy in to what Miles is selling…about time, huh?

Pressure Cooker…only when it counted

Could we get some pressure on the Bama QB, please…anyone? He had all the time in the world and still couldn’t beat us. So, dial up some pressure and force this kid to make a mistake! Look how well it worked in OT, sacking McCarron for a huge loss causing another long field goal attempt.

I was actually impressed with McCarron and think he’s going to be a great QB in the future. Sucks for us…except we have a pretty good QB ready and waiting…

Spinster

Did anyone else think Ruben Randle’s double spin move was in slow motion? I’ve never seen any move take so long (I think he ran in a circle, more than spun) and actually work. Trust me, there were several imitations of the slow-mo spin, mostly by me.

Skunk

I’m done with the Honey Badger. In my mind, Tyrann Mathieu essentially became a skunk. He was talking so much trash, as usual, throughout the game, with no HB plays to back it up. Then, he gets beat on punt coverage and tomahawk chops the Bama player (the one he’s been jawing at all night) in the neck, causing a concussion. I realize that the emotions of the game may have gotten the best of him, but what he did was unnecessary, from a football standpoint and from a sportsmanship standpoint. Odell Beckham was the returner and even though Mathieu was beat on the play, OBJ wasn’t affected by the Bama player, at all. If you want to protect your teammate because you got beat, push him/block in the back, something football-like. Don’t swing your arm out wildly with intent that equals a punch.

Mathieu’s play was dirty, unnecessary and embarrassing to the football program. He should have been ejected, instead of just flagged. He put his team in an unnecessary hole, late in a close game b/c he couldn’t control himself. I really think he should sit out a game for his actions. Emotions in a football game like this are high but there is no room for this on our team. With the arrests, suspensions, and now, blatant tomahawk chops, we’re starting to look like Miami and their band of felons from years ago.

Reid’s INT

No doubt, play 1a of the game. Going with instinct to cover a receiver he wasn’t assigned to, then making a super athletic play to not only break up the potential TD pass, but to actually come down with the INT was spectacular. It even upheld after a replay! This kid is a special player that continues to get better every game.

Wing

I believe that Wing’s 72 yrd punt was arguably play 1b of the game. What a huge shift in field position at a crucial time. Sure, the Bama returner “claims” the ball hit a wire, but he still made no attempt to catch the ball, which he had ample time to do since a 72 yard punt outkicks the coverage team. Wing deserves to be an All American after what he has done for this team, and that was most evident in the Bama game, where field position is key when offenses are struggling.

Big 10 Football

You know Les was in heaven enjoying this epic matchup that turned into a heavy weight, smash mouth, Big 10 football game. You had to like LSU’s chances, from a coaching perspective, in a low-scoring game since this is the kind of game Coach Miles wants to play every week. We were well-practiced for some Big 10 football.

The Shanks

I still can’t believe Bama missed so many field goals. I do think that you’re asking a lot of a kicker to consistently make 50+ yard attempts, but come on! As I yelled “missitmissitmissit” for every kick, I actually had faith that my voodoo would work! I knew that when we sacked McCarron in OT, there was NO WAY they were going to make a 52-yard field goal…not after a night like that. Kudos to Alleman for keeping calm and nailing his attempts.

Bama: We Are the Better Team

Really? And how exactly? Yet, that’s what the players were saying after the game. You had one drive close enough to threaten for a TD, and so did we. You couldn’t get your kicker any closer than having to attempt field goals from 40+ yards out (very unsuccessfully, I might add). You intercepted two passes from our QB that were terrible, and thrown right to you…not exactly a great play on the ball. Your star RB had nowhere to go. I’m not saying LSU was the better team either, but we didn’t have to attempt gimmick plays to try to beat the Tide. We lined up and hung for 60 + minutes. Winning.

Richardson

Trent Richardson is a great RB…he is a beast. But, he worried me more as a receiver than runner. We had his number up the middle…that wasn’t going to happen, but we didn’t cover him out of the backfield as a receiver. His biggest plays came on catches where he was WIDE open. Sure, we stopped him from gashing us on the ground, but he’s their whole team, so to not have someone on him at all times is ridiculous. Ryan Baker’s frantic, catch-up coverage of Richardson out of the back field in OT forced a bad throw and third down. And we all know the outcome.

Ford

Provided quite a spark hitting the quickly closing O line holes faster than Ware could. Bama’s D line was giving our mediocre O line some trouble. When the line did hold up, it wasn’t for long and that was where Ford’s speed was such a great advantage. He also took the option pitches and made something out of the nothing that seemed to be there. I really wish he wouldn’t have stepped out in OT, scoring a TD instead, but hey, the FG wins the game, my hubby wins a football board (which I make him share) and all is right with the world.

Half Back Pass?

Stupid. McCarron has played well, yet in your only real threat of the game, you put the ball in the hands of a WR out of the “wildcat” and he throws to the goal line? Not so advisable there, Nick. The play did work. The Bama receiver, with a better pass, would have scored. But, the inaccurate WR was rushed and threw it up high, causing the receiver to have to jump to catch it, allowing Reid to get his hands on the ball and wrestle it away. Incredible play by Reid…terrible play call by Saban.

Les Miles’ Only Stumble

Was coming out of the tunnel. I saw a collision and tumble on the TV, but didn’t know who was involved. Apparently, Miles got tangled up and took a dive as he ran out onto the field. This guy needs someone to hold his hand when he takes the field, to ensure he arrives at the right bench, in one piece!

Good Idea?

So my hubby wants to purchase tickets for next year’s LSU/Bama game now, so we can sell at a profit next year. I think he’s on to something.

Crystal Ball

It seems my crystal ball was working well when I predicted Houston Nutt to be on the hottest seat in college football. He’s out at Ole Miss at the end of the year…about 3 weeks too late for most Rebel fans.

Prediction 1:

No rematch with Bama. Doubtful it will actually happen, and I don’t want it to, either. Beating the same team twice in one year is hard, and Bama didn’t go quietly in game 1…game 2 would be very scary for the Tigers. I really hope the Tigers can control their own destiny and not leave it up to the crappy BCS computers to decide their fate. Potentially, the last three games this year are against very similar teams (Arkansas, Georgia, Ok St) – pass happy, efficient, high scoring offensive attacks, and absolutely no defense. If our offense can right the ship, we’re coming home with the crystal ball.

Prediction 2:

LSU hosts W. Kentucky Saturday in what should be an easy game. Hopefully some starters will get some rest, some backups some reps, Lee gets back into form and the Tigers coast to victory. No letdowns when you’re back at home after a big win over #2. I hate that I won’t be there to hear the cheers of the crowd when the home team takes the field. Gonna be a special moment. LSU 45 – W Kentucky 10.