LSU Tigers 2013; the year that was

How did we arrive at the end of the LSU season already?  Was it not just a short time ago we were anticipating another great effort from our gridiron Tigers?  LSU was coming off a tough bowl loss at the end of last year, and, more importantly, the loss of so many defensive stalwarts to the NFL.  Still, it looked like another year where LSU could compete against Alabama again for a SEC West title.  Early games were ok, they played a bunch of no names and executed well enough, although there was some evidence the defense would not be quite as stout.  The biggest difference early on was the improved play of QB Zach Mettenberger. Of course throwing to the likes of Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry made that improvement a bit easier!

The Auburn game would be the first big test but LSU popped the tigers from the plains.  A huge 1st half and and impressive running game paced LSU in their 1st encounter with an elite SEC team.  But then came Georgia, actually a little less impressive this year but the game was there and LSU's defense never showed up to play.  Despite a Mettenberger led offense that put 41 points on the board, the LSU defense surrendered 44; unacceptable.  LSU would bounce back an win games they should win and then came Ole Miss; that's right Ole Miss.  On the road, LSU failed to respond to a decent but not great team from Oxford, losing 27-24, primarily because they spotted Ole Miss a 10-0 halftime lead.  With Alabama, Texas A&M and Arkansas left, LSU already suffered 2 losses.  No way would LSU ever be considered for the elite goals Tiger faithful want: a chance at a BCS championship, beating Alabama, winning the SEC West and at least competing for SEC championship.  In mid October, all of that was gone. 

Of course Alabama destroyed LSU, turning a sometimes competitive game into a 21 point blow out.  3 losses with 2 games to go and most would predict A&M would tack loss #4 on the Bayou Bengals.  After all, here comes Johnny Football!  Not so Johnny, not so!  LSU played their best game, especially defensively and blew out the Aggies 34-10.  The stage was set for today's encounter with Arkansas to beat up on a weak 3 win team.  Not so LSU, not so.  Arkansas dominated this game, took a halftime lead and still was leading until the final minute fifteen when a backup QB hit a little used receiver to cap a 99 yard drive and steal victory from the jaws of defeat, penalties, miscues, poor Les Miles coaching and back breaking injuries, most notably to Mettenberger and Beckham.

Still it would be a win and here LSU sits 9-3 with a chance to perhaps face a top notch 2013 opponent like Baylor in the Cotton Bowl.  That is still to be determined.  Still, as frustrating as 2013 was, I am saddened that it is over, marking time that soon, all football will be done and the excitement of everything fall, football season will be behind us.

I love LSU football and I wish the student athlete well.  As for Les Miles, I just don't know if under his leadership, we can return to those lofty goals stated earlier.  Perhaps 8-4, 9-3, a nice bowl win here and there is all we can expect.  I know many college programs long for that; but we are LSU Tigers damn it and we should strive for more.

For now at least there is this: