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Strange day at LSU
LSU beat Tennessee Saturday after turning the ball over four times and having more coaching blunders.
With this being the case, LSU fans should be happy, right? Wrong.
I observed the game from the press box. Up until the last minute, I was in a good state of mind, even though LSU was losing.
And even though the Tigers turned the ball over a lot and guys weren't executing on offense, the coaches seemed to be finally calling a good game.
For the first time in a long time, the offensive approach made sense. Sure, there were a couple things here and there that I didn't agree with, but for the most part I was satisfied.
LSU pounded the ball on offense with Stevan Ridley, who had an outstanding game, and gave both Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee an opportunity to earn the starting position at quarterback.
Down by four in the final minutes, Lee led the offense down the field and we all know what happened from there.
As LSU head coach Les Miles began to substitute with 10 seconds left in the game, the press box went absolutely nuts.
There's an unwritten rule in the press box that there is to be no cheering and everyone is supposed to remain unbiased. Saturday was not the case.
At the end of the game, or what we thought was the end, everyone was ranting and raving until we saw the referees reviewing the play. LSU then got a second chance and won the game.
For that one moment, the press box roared in excitement. But then came the reality that LSU barely beat Tennessee at home despite another coaching fiasco.
The mood eventually turned sour as everyone stormed to the post-game press conference.
Miles came in defensive right off the bat after making reporters wait an extra 20 minutes before starting his speech. Reporters surrounded him and drilled him with questions.
Miles being Miles, he dodged a lot of the questions without ever answering the question and as I looked around the room I saw a bunch of puzzled looks. The bottom line is this: LSU has a lot of talent and should've covered the point spread against Tennessee.
Talent will only take you so far. Yes, you can beat West Virginia and Tennessee, but you will not beat an Urban Meyer or Nick Saban-coached football team.
Right now, Alabama looks unstoppable and LSU won't be able to beat them on talent alone. They need leadership from their coach that earns close to four million dollars a year. Do your job. If this team plays up to its potential, it can beat any team in the country.
But I'm afraid they never will reach their potential.
Although he showed some rust, I thought Lee played well.
That's why the coaching staff should've played him more against Vanderbilt and Mississippi State to get him ready.
On the way home after the game, I listened to the post-game show on LSU Sports Radio Network. Even these guys were bashing Miles.
I've never heard them so negative before. Ever. Kevin Ford from the show even said LSU fans better hope Saban retires or dies, because "this coaching staff will never beat Saban's coaching staff."
Although that's a bit harsh and I'm sure that statement may have come out wrong more from frustration than anything else, I've got to say that I agree with the fact LSU will never beat Saban.
Now that I've gotten all that off of my chest, I do want to talk about the amazing performance by Ridley.
A lot of people, including myself, want to see Michael Ford and some of the other backs get more carries. I would like to see LSU rush the ball 30 times a game and split the carries between Ford and Ridley.
Ridley proved that he's the starting tailback Saturday in almost the same manner that Jacob Hester proved he was the starting tailback in 2007 during the Florida game.
In the same way Hester answered his critics in 2007, I believe Ridley answered his Saturday.
LSU plays Florida Saturday. After coming off of an embarrassing loss to Alabama Saturday, you better believe Florida is looking to take it out on LSU.
LSU can win this game, but I don't know if they will manage the game and get the victory. It should be another interesting post-game show Saturday night. |
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