From the time the 2018 LSU football schedule was announced, I had many doubts about many games and as I discussed last week, I couldn’t find more than 7 wins. I thought there was a strong likelihood that LSU would come out the gates 1-2 limping into the LA Tech game beaten down and likely demoralized from a disastrous start. That said, I never, not one time, ever thought LSU would lose to the Bulldogs from Ruston.
I was peppered on Facebook by a friend who is a proud LA Tech alum boldly proclaiming that this year LA Tech would beat LSU. It continued after the season began. I rarely replied because I know what it feels like to cheer on the underdog. I am 45 years old so the majority of my life has been spent as a LSU and Saints fan which means I used to also dream up of ways that my team could pull off the upset. It’s natural; it’s the beauty of sports; and it rarely happens.
Back to my friend, this was the proverbial let down game on LSU’s early season schedule that would trip up the Tigers (he said). Tech was coming off a bye week and would be ready this week (he said). LSU wouldn’t be able to slow down the Bulldog passing attack and would wear out (he said).
Truth of the matter is that every one of those assertions had legs to stand on. They weren’t the ramblings of a lunatic but they were ramblings of a fan and therein lies the rub.
When you view and predict things via the lense of a fan, it distorts reality and doesn’t come close to allowing for clear 20/20 vision.
Reality is that while LA Tech has a roster of legitimate college football players, they are not in the same class as LSU and they never will in football. LSU plays in the SEC West, the hardest division in all of college football. LA Tech competes in Conference USA. LA Tech has good coaches and a few players on this year’s team will play in the NFL. LSU is a factory of NFL talent. While I may rant about the lack of winning and competing for championships the last 5 years, what can never be questioned is the amount of pro-level talent that LSU has and like the old saying “it’s not as much about the X’s and O’s as about the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s”.
Reality is that LSU jumped out to a 24-0 lead by running power football and playing good D. The team slept walked through the majority of the game on both sides of the ball.
Reality is that LSU’s Offensive line without Charles at Left Tackle is a hot mess. Deculus at Right Tackle was abused much of the night. When Brumfield went down, Hines played admirably at Left Guard as a true freshman. Hard to believe that just a month ago Hines was practicing at Defensive Line. If Brumfield is out for any significant amount of time, this team is in trouble heading into the teeth of the SEC schedule. If he is out for the year, I am not sure what can be done because they are running out of scholarship Offensive Lineman to put in.
Reality is that LSU could not get a pass rush against LA Tech and that is a major concern heading into SEC play.
Reality is that the Tech QB played well. He hit open receivers. Tech called a good game on Offense. Tech wasn’t afraid of “Big Brother” in Tiger stadium.
Reality is LA Tech scored 21 unanswered points and reality is even when LA Tech closed to within 3 points, I never got nervous nor worried that LSU would lose this game. That wasn’t false bravado or stubbornness, it was seeing the game for what it was and the teams for what they were.
LSU pounded LA Tech when it needed to and closed the game out. It was an ugly win but it was a win as it should have been by the way.
LSU hosts Ole Miss on Sat night at 8:15 in Tiger Stadium. LSU will unveil the Billy Cannon statue on Sat as well. Something tells me the crowd will be into that game and that this team will come out with a much improved effort and performance. It will need to.
LSU has a lot to learn and many areas to improve on. They play up and down to the opponent’s level which is a surefire sign of a team lacking focus and leadership within the team.
All the talk about hosting UGA in Tiger Stadium for a potential top 3 clash is the proverbial Rat Poison a young team doesn’t usually handle well. The Florida game in the Swamp will not be easy. That game has trouble written all over it if you ask me.
But for now, Reality is this team is 4-0 and Number 5 in the country.
PS- when the game is over and your team has lost, it’s always best to tip the hat to the victor than to say things like “LSU didn’t cover”. It makes little brother look, well, like a little brother if you do things like that…….