After a few months of posting about the Saints it's high time I weigh in on the LSU Tigers! Of course this is being written just minutes after their New Year's Bowl appearance so be forwarned.
Some backgroud first. LSU has always been the football team of Louisiana. Even many of us that love the Saints keep LSU first in our football hearts and minds. I love the Tigers. For most of my life, with the exception of the Curly Hallman years and some rebuilding years in the late 70's the Tigers have been good; very good.
How many of you who love college football and have a favorite team you follow would love to claim two national champions in one decade. The Tigers did that. And when as a fan we complain, it's because we finish with 8,9 or 10 wins and that does not satisfy us. Many get excited for far less. So with all of that out of the way we turn our attention to this game and this season.
The LSU Tigers are a good team this year with some exceptional atheletes who overcame the unbelievable disadvantage of poor coaching; very poor coaching. LSU had a defense this year that employed a bend, don't break philosophy that let them down in 4 losses and some very uninspriring wins against meager teams. We supposedly have a defense genuis in John Chavis who, reportedly is/was in running to go to Georgia. All reports say he ain't going and after today, the Bulldogs don't want him either. If he is a defensive genuis than I'm Einstein. His defense was always out of position all year long, created few turnovers, rarely sacked a QB in games that count and lacked heart.
Offensively, injuries did play a role, especially today. But here is where I question the head coach; where in the heck was Russell Shepherd; not just today but most of the year? We won the recruiting war for this guy who most experts said was the best high school QB in the country. He was rarely used and I just confirmed did not play a single down today. With all our RB's hurt, we needed every offensive weapon on deck but this head coach sat him. And what about this reported to be all world offensive line. My how easily they were pushed around this year.
Today was another example of why I call Les Miles Least Miles. What could he possibly be thinking by challenging the Ridley fumble which cost us a much needed time out? His clock management of the Ole Miss game was a prime example of why he ain't ready for prime time at an elite program like LSU. And today, we had no time out to help us in the end.
This once proud program has now lost 9 games in two years and that will keep you middle of the pack. Since the national championship, as other SEC programs get better, the longer the Miles fingerprints are on this program the sicker the patient becomes. It's not all his fault; somebody had to hire him!
I realize that he is going nowhere which means Tiger fans, count on another 8-4 or maybe even 7-5 looking 2010. Most people who claim to be far superior in football knowledge disagree with my criticism of Miles but the proof is in the record; and the manner in which we not only lose games but win against inferior opponents. Too many of you are more intereted in hating so this will set you off; Nick Saban is the last good coach we had and his spectre did contribute to our last championship. Deal with it; this is true.
What Least Miles needs to understand is a couple of 8 or 9 win seasons is ok for Okie State, but this ain't Oklahoma Least.
Thank you LSU Tiger players for doing your best to overcome this amazing hurdle you have to overcome every day. You played well but were let down. And thanks to the real LSU faithful who support this program and truly make it what it is. Your efforts today to cheer on a poorly coached and under prepared squad in bad weather and a worse field is heroic. There are no better college football fans in the world than LSU fans.
Always stay proud of LSU the institition and the student athelete; but please Least; go away.
And when you need some comfort when we blow a SEC championship or a national bowl apppearnce, LSU fans remember; at least we ain't Tulane. And that's a lot to be thankful for.
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