Month: October 2018

LSU is now 3 for 3 against Bulldogs this season after beating The Mississippi State Bulldogs 19-3 at home in a sloppy, SEC slugfest played mostly in the rain.  With the victory, LSU improves to an improbable 7-1 record and  will be at no lower than No. 4 in the country when the polls are released after the embarrassing loss by Ohio State tonight.  Not sure what gives me greater joy: LSU beating Miss St or knowing that Buckeye Nation is out of the College Football Playoff picture before Halloween after they sold their soul to the devil during the Urban Meyer investigation sham.

LSU’s Defense and Special Teams were as sharp tonight as the Alternative Uniforms LSU unveiled this week.  Those helmets y’all!  However, the LSU Offense was held in check by the Bulldog’s dominating front seven.  To date, the Miss St front seven was the most dominating LSU had faced and yes that includes the stout Florida Gators defense.  For what it’s worth, I believe Florida has a better overall defense due to a strong front seven and an above-average defensive backfield but the Bulldog defensive line and LB crew were tremendous!

The game started off with a bang when Michael Divinity intercepted Nick Fitzgerald on State’s first offensive series nearly scoring on the 33 yard return. Nick Brossette punched in a-1 yard rushing TD to quickly put LSU up 7-0.

Fitzgerald led a 73-yard drive on State’s next possession but LSU forced Miss St to settle for a FG to get the game to 7-3.  That would be all the points the Tiger D would give up the rest of the ballgame.

Both teams played sloppy offensive football mainly because of bad QB play and less than imaginative play calling.

Burrow played by far his worst game of the season.  He was harassed early and often by the Bulldog defensive front.  He missed throws all night and when he did throw catchable balls, his receivers let him down with drops especially in the 1st half.  LSU tried to establish a running game in the 1st half but the Bulldog’s defensive front closed running lanes and had tacklers in the backfield.

LSU had an impressive drive to close the half that ended with a Cole Tracy FG to go up 10-3 at half.

LSU’s Offense did better in the 2nd half but played a conservative game settling for FG’s three times.  It was evident that all LSU needed to do in this game was to not give Miss St short fields by not turning the ball over, punting the ball well and playing good run defense.  LSU did all 3 throughout the night.

The Bulldog offensive plan was solely reliant on the running ability of  Nick Fitzgerald.  Fitzgerald is an impressive athlete who is able to run with power and elusiveness but I don’t remember watching a SEC QB in Tiger Stadium pass the ball so poorly.  At one point in the 3rd Qtr, he had completed 4 passes to his team for less than 20 yards while throwing 2 interceptions to LSU.  Fitzgerald ended the night 8 for 24 with 4 interceptions.  He was almost incapable of successfully throwing a simple forward pass.  Ironically, this the same QB that last year under Dan Mullen, the QB Whisperer, toyed with LSU with his feet and arm.  Coaching makes a difference-  always has, always will.

LSU seems to have found a good one in Ogeron. LSU and Ogeron are to be commended for this incredible 8-game stretch having faced and beaten 3 Top 10 teams and tonight’s win against No. 22 Miss St who was coming off a Bye week when LSU was coming off a hugely emotional and physical game against UGA was very business-like.  They won comfortably when they clearly did not play their best.  LSU is a team that has come together.  Oregon got LSU Burrow.  He hired McMahon who found Cole Tracy who is in legitimate contention for All-American place kicking honors.  To navigate through the schedule LSU was dealt this season with only 1 loss to date is beyond surprising and impressive.  Coach Ogeron deserves all the accolades and recognition that he is getting.  He’s earned the right to be considered for Coaching of the Year honors.  All of the goals that LSU had before the game against Miami are there for the taking.  All you have to do is be like David and slay Goliath.

Was it Targeting?

I have watched the replay of the Devin White hit 8 times and while I vehemently disagreed with the call after watching the replay 7 times, on the 8th viewing I saw footage from one angle that does appear to show White hit Fitzgerald under his face mask.  Do I think the call should have been made. Nope.  Do I believe that White launched and intended to hurt a defenseless player?  Nope

Up to that point in the game, the game had been officiated well.  Any game in which the referees do not become part of the main story line is a well officiated game.  Even though I now believe the call may have been right, I do not understand how the head referee can review such an important call in all of about 20 seconds.   That kind of a review system is laughable.  To know that the 3 SEC replay referees are located in BIRMINGHAM where the SEC league office is located is wrong for obvious reasons. I am not an expert in geography but from what I know, Birmingham is in the state of Alabama not terribly far from T-Town the home of the Alabama Crimson Turds, I mean, Tide. While referee is not a 4-letter word, Bama sure is!

Am I insinuating that Bama and Saban had anything to do with the call on the field?  Of course not.  Do I believe that there is an obvious SEC bias for all things Bama in football? You better believe it!

Is there a pattern of inconsistencies in how and when penalties are called for or against Bama vs how they are called and when they are called for all other SEC league members. NO DOUBT!

Not having Devin White for the 1st half of the Bama game in 2 weeks is the difference in being able to keep the game somewhat respectable to potentially getting your head beat in by Bama and being down 4 TD’s by the time No. 40 can hit the field.

Vegas already has LSU as a 16-point underdog for the top 5 matchup in 2 weeks.  The glass half-full crowd will quickly point out that Bama has been favored by close to 30 points a game this season so that’s good news for LSU.

Those who are not blinded by their love for LSU should note that Bama will be favored by 16 points AT top 5 LSU playing at home under the lights and the professional handicappers are saying Bama will win by 16 points. Mind Blown!

Time for the team to get some rest and heal up.  Time for the coaches to hit the recruiting trail and land some player commitments in areas of need.  Time for the Offensive and Defensive Coordinators to work up a game plan that gives LSU a chance to compete against what some are calling the best college football team ever.

Do I think LSU can compete with Bama? I do not but I also didn’t think LSU would get beyond 7 wins for the season.

Someday Bama will again lose to LSU in football.  I just hope I am alive to see it and wouldn’t it be nice if it was in 2 weeks!

Geaux Tigers!

LSU beat (up and on) No. 2 Georgia in Death Valley 36-16 in front of a nearly full capacity crowd in Tiger Stadium. This marked the 3rd time in Tiger Stadium history that LSU has beaten a Top 2 opponent.  The first time occurred in 1961 against Ole Miss so as much as my sons ridicule me for being old, that was 12 years before I was born.  The last time prior to today was in 1997 when LSU beat No. 1 Florida. I was in the LSU Student Section for that epic win.  Today was awesome as well!

One week after suffering their first loss of the season, LSU responded with a resounding and convincing win against the presumed best team in the SEC East.  LSU used a time-tested, winning formula for it’s 6th win (3rd against a Top 10 opponent this season): controlling both lines of scrimmage, unleashing a suffocating defense, elite special teams play, creating turnovers while not having any and feeding off the home crowd that was electric from pre-game until well after the game ended as thousands of fans, almost the entire LSU student section, rushed the field and celebrated with the team.

True to his word, Ogeron and his Tigers were the aggressors on offense and defense and took the fight to UGA all game.  Ogeron even took a page out the Mad Hatter’s coaching binder by going 4 for 4 on 4th down which not only allowed LSU to control the ball and clock more but also gave a clear message to his squad: we play to win instead of playing not to lose.

LSU’s much maligned offensive line established itself early in the 1st Qtr and LSU never looked back.  Clyde Edwards-Hilaire had a coming out party and led the LSU offensive unit with 145 yards on 19 carries.  He continued running the ball hard and elusively.  The Offensive line created spaces for LSU back and Brossette added 64 tough yards on 16 carries.  Burrow even jumped in on the rushing attack and had 66 yards rushing on 13 attempts including a 59-yard run on a QB read option when LSU was trying to run clock to end the game. That long run resulted in a rushing TD by Brossette late in the 4th Qtr.

Burrow completed 15 of 30 for 200 yards passing.  He also added 2 rushing TD’s at the goal line.   While this wasn’t Burrow’s best game in terms of statistics, he did more than just manage the game.  He missed a few throws, one early in the game that would have been a long TD, but overall he and the offensive skill position players executed well against a talented and deep UGA defense.  Amazing what LSU can now do on Offense since it has a SEC starting level QB who know how to make plays with his arm, legs and most importantly with his head.

The biggest improvement from last week to this week was that of the defense.  For the 11th straight game, LSU has not allowed a 1st Qtr TD! UGA’s rushing attack had LSU on its heels in the 1st Qtr when they amassed 69 rushing yards.  However, LSU made some adjustments and started controlling the line of scrimmage.  Unlike last week, LSU not only swarmed to the football but also made gang tackles.  Last week, LSU missed numerous tackles.  LSU didn’t whiff on many today and when they did, other LSU defenders were there to assist. For some inexplicable reason, Smart and UGA abandoned the run after the 1ST Qtr as they only produced 44 rushing yards the last 3 Qtrs combined.  Talk about breathing a sigh of relief!

LSU consistently harassed and pressured Jake Fromm and held him to only 16 of 34 for 209 yards with a garbage time passing TD and 2 interceptions.  Fromm missed a few open receivers on the night like Burrow did for LSU.  Kristian Fulton made a ESPN highlight reel interception in the 3rd Qtr.  Devin White was back to his usual self making tackles all over the field.  Delpit and Greedy Williams again had strong outings. Aranda did a great job of confusing Fromm and creating pressure from different angles and from different levels on the field.  Michael Divinity Jr played his best game as a  Tiger and Jacoby Stevens and Todd Harris had big sacks that ended drives and helped keep UGA off the scoreboard.  John Battle had a Int and made 8 tackles on the night and even Kary Vincent was making tackles throughout the game. LSU’s Defensive Line did a magnificent job all night as well.

LSU’s Special Teams was elite and again proved that one of the most significant additions to Ogeron’s coaching staff was that of Greg McMahon, the Special Teams Coach.  Cole Tracey was perfect in the game going 5 for 5 on FG’s and making all 3 extra points.  In my opinion, Tracey is well on his way to having the single greatest year for a FG kicker in the history of LSU.  LSU again didn’t get much in the return game which is troubling considering how many freak athletes are on the roster.  The player formally wearing No. 7 (Giles and his absurd No 12) was again the main punt returner and again he fair caught the ball but only a few times because The UGA punter kept shanking the ball out of bounds nullifying any chance for a fair catch or a return.  Avery Atkins boomed the ball through the end zone all night and late in the 4th Qtr with the game in hand, he purposely kicked the ball short to the front end of the UGA end zone.  The UGA returner took the ball out and was blasted during the return causing a fumble that LSU would recover.

LSU entered the game on Sat as a 7-point underdog so hats off to Coach Ogeron and the entire LSU coaching staff for this dominating win.  Not only did LSU physically whip UGA on Saturday but more importantly, LSU was the better coached and better prepared team.  The game was clean in terms of penalties and while UGA had 4, LSU only had 2 penalties all game.  This game and for the vast majority of the season, LSU has gotten play calls in quickly and well before the clock expire.  Today, LSU used a hurry up Offense to keep UGA from substituting and from getting properly aligned.  Kudos to Coach Ogeron and Coach Ensminger for being decisive and have their players ready.  The most egregious play call of the night was made by Kirby Smart when UGA called for a fake FG from the LSU 14-yard line with LSU only up 3-0.  Smart rolled the dice and came up snack eyes when LSU covered the fake FG and caused a fumble on the play that LSU would recover. For some unknown reason, Smart and UGA also decided to abandon the ground attack, you know, the one that Florida used a week earlier to beat LSU.  Smart’s decision to throw early and often in drives created unfavorable down and distance situations and Jake Fromm was not able to deliver.

So on a day when No.2 , No. 6, No. 7, and No. 8 all lost, LSU put on a dominant performance on CBS for all the world to see.  My hunch is that LSU will catapult back up the polls likely to No. 7 when they host the Bulldogs from Starkvegas next Saturday at 6 pm.  I trust this coaching staff to not be peaking ahead to Bama yet and I believe the team will be able to focus on the task at hand after this victory.  Take care of Miss St like we are supposed to do this season and you have a Nov 3rd date to host yet again the Game of the Century, aka the Bama game.

Areas that have to improve:

1. While LSU was 8 for 8 in the Red Zone, imagine how the score and game would have tilted to LSU sooner had they exchanged a few of those 3’s into 7’s.
2. 3rd Qtr Blues continue.  At least LSU made UGA eat up almost 6 minutes and forced them to settle for 3 coming out of halftime.  LSU has got to figure out how to win the 3rd Qtr battle.
3. Return Game (Broken Record)- find a dynamic player who can catch the ball and help change field position.
4. TOO MUCH RED!  Valerie and I got to campus around 10 am and as we walked on Skip Bertman Dr close to the Vet School, I though my eyes were playing tricks on me when I saw an incredible number of UGA Tents.  As we proceeded to walk around campus, UGA fans were everywhere.  More UGA tents were located in prime locations throughout campus.  Based on what I had scene on twitter and Facebook earlier in the week, I knew there would be many UGA fans at this game.  I had guessed 15K would be in attendance.  When I entered Tiger Stadium, I was shocked to see the flood of Red and Black sitting everywhere.  I bet there were over 25K UGA fans in Tiger Stadium today and probably closer to 30K!  4 UGA fans sat next to me and they were as polite and nice as any opposing team’s fans I have ever met and talked to.  Now the drunk frat UGA fan that sat directly behind me was another story.  Thankfully, Valerie was getting a coke at the concessions stands when I warned the punk to watch his mouth after I had heard one too many curse words.  He complied especially after he was nicely warned by a LSU Stadium Rep of a complaint by a fan for using vulgar language.  I didn’t report the guy but it was good to know I wasn’t the only one tired of his mouth.  Back to my point, Tiger Stadium was loud and full today.  Tiger fans were awesome from before kickoff until well after the game was over but for the life of me, how in the world do you sell so many tickets to the opposing team’s fans.  I get supply and demand. I get the idea of making money but can’t we at least help the home team by selling tickets to LSU fans who will show up and cheer on the Tigers!?!  Please, for the love of football and boudin balls, don’t sell your tickets to fans of the team in Red from Tuscaloosa.  Please!

Geaux Tigers!

Crazy and unpredictable outcomes have often happened when LSU and Ole Miss meet on the gridiron.  Heading into this game, it was clear LSU had the superior team with respect to both talent and depth.  Ole Miss came into the game statistically one of the worst defensive teams not only in the SEC but in the nation.  LSU was ranked near the bottom of the SEC and nation in many important offensive categories so the real questions that needed to be answered was could LSU’s offense take advantage of this juicy matchup and would LSU’s defense be able to slow down the Ole Miss offense.

The answer didn’t take long and it was a resounding YES for the Bayou Bengals! Joe Burrow had his best game as a Tiger QB passing for 292 yards and 3 passing TD’s.  He also rushed for 96 yards and added a rushing TD.  Those numbers were the 6th best of all time for a LSU QB- not bad for a kid from Ohio who has only been on LSU’s campus for 3 months. As if those numbers weren’t impressive enough, Burrow did this behind LSU’s fifth different offensive line combo of the year and remember, they have only played five games so far. Donavaughn Campbell was forced into the lineup and held up which is amazing considering he was practicing at defensive tackle just a few weeks ago.  If that sounds familiar, Chasen Hines who is now starting at guard in place of the injured Brumfield also switched from D line to O line a few weeks ago due to the mounting injuries on the offensive line.  James Gregg, LSU’s O line coach, is more than earning his salary this season. LSU’s starting center Lloyd Cushenberry III was injured against Ole Miss so now its time for true freshman Cole Smith to play against a stout D in the Swamp. Hopefully, Charles will return to the starting lineup at left tackle to bring experience and stability to this now patchwork unit that somehow has been able to hold up.  Asking a true freshman center to play against the Gators is a lot to ask for and one has to wonder when the injuries along the offensive line will expose and limit LSU’s offense.  Shame on Miles and Ogeron, who was Miles’ former recruiting coordinator, for not properly recruiting the offensive line position a few years ago which has led to this almost crisis at the most critical positions on the football field in the SEC- the Offensive Line.

LSU’s offensive game plan was again stellar.  Ensminger called another balanced game and continued to dial up plays for LSU’s talented skill position players.  Sullivan and Jefferson have emerged over the past few weeks as LSU’s most dependable receivers.  They both run precise routes and are showing an ability to make the catch in traffic.  Ja’Marr Chase and Terrance Marshall showed glimpses as to why they will become future stars for LSU.  Dee Anderson, Racy McMath, Jonathan Giles and Derrick Dillon also saw action at receiver. True to their word, LSU is utilizing the depth and talent they have in the receiving corps and almost all seem to be developing and improving under the tutelage of WR Coach Jerry Sullivan.  That said, how in the world did Jonathan Giles earn the No. 7?  He rarely makes plays as a receiver and his most consistent attribute as a punt returner is his ability and consistent desire to fair catch.  LSU needs to find a punt returner who is explosive and willing to make plays in the return the game.  They tried freshman Jontre Kirkland a few times against Ole Miss and he looks the part so hopefully he can continue to progress and show good ball security while still providing LSU the chance to make explosive plays in the return game.  Ensminger and Ogeron are also rotating running backs as often as possible.  Brossette and Edwards-Helaire are clearly LSU’s bell cows.  They run hard and offer up different styles which is important with the condition of LSU’s offensive line.  LSU is trying to find ways to get freshman Chris Curry and even Lanard Fournette the ball not only to get them experience but also to provide occasional breaks to Brossette and Edwards-Helaire.  Imagine if LSU had its typical stable of future NFL RB’s!?! Note to Ogeron- you need to sign at least 2 stud running backs in the next class.

The defense did a tremendous job holding down the vaunted Ole Miss passing attack a week after showing leaky coverage against LA Tech.  DBU was on full display and more than held up against arguably the best collection of wide receivers in college football.  Dave Aranda’s unit was ready from the opening drive.  Greedy Williams, Kristian Fulton and Grant Delpit were dominant in coverage and run support.  Grant Delpit is becoming the next star safety at LSU.  He is showing tremendous instincts and the ability to affect the game at all 3 levels on defense.  At times he makes plays reminiscent of those made by Eric Reid, Jamal Adams and Tyrann Mathieu. Delpit is a true sophomore so LSU will have him for the 2019 season but Tiger fans better enjoy and appreciate what they have in this future NFL player.  The D line and LB play was good throughout most of the game although at times they did get gashed for long runs when Ole Miss was able to get into a rhythm and run fast tempo offense.

Had LSU not committed 2 turnovers in the Red Zone, the game would have been even more lopsided.

Ole Miss was a team that was poorly coached on defense and some of the play calls made by Ole Miss during the game were head scratchers.  Luke’s decision to kick a field goal when they got down to the 1 yard line on 4TH down with only a few seconds left on the clock in the first half and already down 28-3 was bizarre.  Ole Miss DB’s were continually out of position and Ole Miss committed a whopping 17 penalties for 167 yards which is the highest by an LSU opponent since 1937.  As many of you all know, I have often ridiculed the hiring process LSU used to land Ogeron.  Didn’t think it was possible but Ole Miss outdid LSU by hiring Matt Luke to replace Hugh Freeze.  That hire is a colossal failure and will only get worse over time.  Luke’s team is in disarray.  Not sure Ole Miss will be able to get to 6 wins this season and if things continue to spiral out of control, the only thing that will buy Matt Luke more time in Oxford is the fact that he was a former Ole Miss player; he inherited a mess from Hugh Freeze;  and not many will want to go lead a dumpster fire.  I do predict that when Ole Miss does can Luke, they will target Frank Wilson who was LSU’s former RB coach and recruiting coordinator and is currently the head coach at the University of Texas San Antonio and doing good things there.

LSU secured an easy 45-16 win in this year’s Magnolia Bowl and next they face the Florida Gators in the Swamp for the second straight year (thanks for nothing Joe Alleva!)  Dan Mullen and Florida won a hard fought game against Mississippi State in Starkville this past week.  Mullen has always done a good job of playing physical football against LSU when he was at Mississippi State and his offensive play calling and schemes have given LSU’s defense problems even when Aranda has been at LSU.

This game has all the making of a low-scoring, old fashioned slugfest where whoever wins the kick game and turnover battle will likely win the game.  I say the first team to 17 wins and don’t be surprised if there is defensive TD in this game.

Hopefully LSU is not looking ahead to a potential top 4 matchup with UGA in 2 weeks in Tiger Stadium. The task at hand in Gainesville will be a difficult one.

Hopefully Florida is still feeling the effects of a tough, physical matchup against the Bulldogs and is less than 100% for the game.  Hopefully Felipe Franks plays like he typical does.  Hopefully the refs will call a good game and not partake in much home cooking.

Hopefully the LSU offensive line is able to gel this week as they will start their 6th starting lineup in as many weeks.

Hopefully Joe Burrow not only manages the game with his arm but also utilizes his legs in a smart manner when the opportunities present themselves.

Something tells me Cole Tracy and Zack Von Rosenberg will have a lot to do with the outcome of Saturday’s game and for Tiger fans, that should be a good thing.

Geaux Tigers!