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Mullen and Grantham beat Ogeron and Aranda (Again)!

A week ago LSU was putting the final touches on their dismantling of Ole Miss. LSU’s Offense and Defense looked the part and had momentum and confidence heading into their matchup with Florida in the Swamp. Tiger fans were confident and while LSU coaches and players were only talking about Florida, Tiger fans were already looking ahead to the potential TOP 5 matchup in Tiger Stadium against No. 2 UGA. CBS. College Gameday. Maybe even Fall weather.

However, after a hard-fought 27-19 loss at the Swamp, the future doesn’t look as shiny and bright for LSU. In fact, the next 3 games look daunting and down-right scary if the problems that showed up in the Florida game are not fixed quickly. Problem is- can they be fixed at this time of year?

Those wearing purple and gold glasses will claim LSU lost the game implying that the loss had more to do with LSU not playing their best game than the reality which is that teams are fairly evenly matched and with the game at Florida for the second straight year, Mullen and his players beat Ogeron and his players (2017 in Starkvegas when Mullen was the Miss St coach and now this year as the Gator head coach). LSU got the snot beat out of them on both lines of scrimmage. The play calling of Dan Mullen and Todd Grantham was superior to anything LSU countered with Aranda. 2 years in a row Mullen and Grantham have beaten Ogeron and Aranda. In both games, the more physical team in the trenches won the game. Ensminger and LSU tried to run a variety of plays in both the run and passing games but outside of a couple of drives, LSU’s Offensive Line was battered and bruised and could do nothing consistently to slow down the Gator defensive attack. The majority of the game, the LSU offense reverted to a series of check down passes and run attempts that often yielded minimal positive gains.

Burrow was sacked 5 times and hurried at least a dozen other times. LSU’s D was incapable of adjusting to some option run packages that Fla mixed in and the number of missed tackles for LSU was a major problem. Not having Jacob Philips available for the game proved to be another significant deficiency for the interior portion of the LSU Defense.

Penalties and Turnovers- both were too high and with respect to penalties, they came at inopportune times none more so than the penalty on Lanard Fournette who interfered with a Gator punt fair catch attempt that nullified the Gator fumble deep in their territory in the 3rd Qtr.

The referee crew was less than spectacular and they missed calls on both teams but they should have ejected the Florida player for punching our FB early in the game and another Florida punched one of our DB’s in the 2nd half. Those calls are easy to make yet they weren’t made for some reason.

I also believe the refs gave LSU 2 really bad spots in the game and the one that was a game changer was a 3rd down run on 3rd and 2 run in the 2nd Qtr by Edwards-Hilaire. I do not understand how the refs did not review the spot and more perplexing than that was why Ogeron did not call a timeout and work the refs to get them to review the spot. Instead, Ogeron sent in Mr. Automatic Cole Tracy who nailed the FG but imagine the difference in the game had LSU been able to get a td on that drive.

The biggest play of the game was when Burrow was strip sacked on the 2nd LSU drive of the game already up 7-0. Had LSU been able to go up 14-0, no matter what kind of QB whisperer Mullen is and he is one if he can squeeze 20 Offensive points from a team led by Felipe Franks, the entire game plan for Fla changes and I firmly believe that LSU’s D would have been able to limit Florida more than they did after the game became a back and forth style game.

LSU was in position to win the game so many Tiger fans will lament the missed opportunities. I am certain Florida fans will make reference to the ill-advised pass in the end zone by Franks that allowed Grant Delpit to intercept the ball in the end zone preventing the Gators from scoring again and stretching out their lead early in the 3rd Qtr.

All in all, the game was a struggle for both teams but make no bones about it, Florida won this game.

Before the game, I had friends asking me what I thought. My heart said LSU but my head said Fla in a close one. Vegas was all in on Florida as evidenced by the massive point spread movement that occurred middle of this week. When those kinds of things happen, there is usually something to it.

I listed several concerns prior to the game: penalties, turnovers, our O line, the crowd and Dan Mullen. Sadly, all of those factors contributed to LSU’s first loss of the season.

As bad as LSU’s Offensive Line played today, Brossette did gash them for 95 yards and 2 TD’s. Brossette only had 15 carries and while Edwards-Hilaire is a nice complimentary back, No. 4 needs to get the ball more often to try and wear down the opposing team’s D. The problem is LSU has no other backs to even spell Edwards-Helaire. Curry is not ready for SEC play this season and for whatever reason, they have chosen not to play Provens the other Freshman RB.

Burrow obviously had his worst game as a Tiger. He was harassed and hit all game yet he missed a big throw prior to the end of the first half when he had time. Jefferson had beaten the Gator CB. A huge missed opportunity by Burrow. Burrow held on to the ball too long in the 2nd half but most of the times, he was not able to find open receivers either because they weren’t open or because of the QB pressures due to the Offensive Line breakdowns.

Other than Moreau, LSU receivers dropped numerous balls in the game and several came when the Tigers were down and needed to get a TD.

I have to take a minute and say unequivocally that it’s time to cut bait on Giles as a starter and full-time player at LSU. Giles is without question the worst No. 7 since that tradition began post-Patrick Peterson. I will forever refer to him as The Receiver Formerly Wearing No. 7 since he decided to switch to No. 12 for this game. Didn’t work my man just like it doesn’t work when he is back returning punts. He is incapable of making plays in the fast, tough SEC. He has no burst. He has no wiggle. He goes down from shoe string tackles as if someone had shot him from the grassy knoll. In the return game, he continually catches punts that no well-coached returner should ever do- catch it inside the 10-yard line. Heck, he caught a few in the game inside the 5-yard line. One time he caught the ball over his shoulder running towards his own the goal line. Awful!

There are at least 6 receivers that are more explosive WR’s for LSU. McMahon coached special teams in the NFL. Coach someone else who could offer up something of value in the return game.

Could LSU be on their way to a 4-game losing streak?

Crazy talk? Hater talk? UGA, Miss St and Bama are up next in that order and the way they all played today coupled with how LSU players today should give any rational-minded person concern.

One loss does not a season make. LSU has a chance at redemption at home next Sat in Tiger Stadium. Perhaps this game will serve as wake up call to the team and coaches. I imagine LSU will drop to around No 15 by the time the next polls are updated. Rankings don’t matter as much as getting some quality wins. Speaking of quality wins, Miami barely beat Fl St 28-27 and Miss St beat Auburn 23-9 so LSU’s big wins all of a sudden don’t look so big.

Perhaps the Fla loss has revealed significant problems that LSU has and will only get further exploited as the gauntlet schedule kicks into a higher gear over the next month.

Amazing how the outlook of a season can change after only one loss even if LSU had a chance to win the game at the Swamp.

5-1 is still ahead of schedule for this team from where I thought they would be at this time. Oregon has shown the ability to flush one bad game down the toilet and get this team motivated and prepared for the next game on the schedule. He better do it again and do it now because a 4-game losing stretch is not too hard to imagine.

If he doesn’t, the heat the Tigers played in for the Gator game in Gainesville will be nothing like the heat Tiger coaches and players will feel from all angles in Tiger Town.

Five and Eaux

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!

Reality- Big Brother Wins Again

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…….

Here We Geaux

Like most, I rarely lack an opinion. Unlike most, people don’t have to twist my arm for me to share my thoughts on most topics. Over the last few years, I have used Facebook as the main platform for providing my takes particularly on sports or food. Truth is, I have been that way since I was fairly young. I have matured enough to not get into too many controversially topics on Social Media because its a recipe for disaster. I also have to admit that since taking a Creative Writing class back in High School, I enjoy writing. Don’t claim to be good at it but I do enjoy expressing myself through words.

Any way, Valerie and others have mentioned to me on more than a few occasions that some of my Facebook posts were long enough to be articles in magazines or chapters in books so why not just start blogging instead of pecking away on my iPhone which at time would take longer than I care to admit. I had surgery to reattach a ruptured elbow tendon in my right arm as well as carpal tunnel surgery in my right wrist a few months ago so here I am joining many others in the world of blogging.

One very important point to keep in mind if you decide for whatever reason that you want to read my blog: I am not trying to change your mind. I am not trying to debate. These are MY thoughts and MY opinions and they will always be what I honestly believe. I will not write my takes to just get clicks. When it comes to my sports takes, I will do my best to be as objective as possible but I bleed purple and gold and am a member of the Who Dat Nation so my takes about them can’t help but be skewed because I am fan. I will be wrong many times. I accept that reality so hopefully you will too. Again, these are MY thoughts and MY opinions.

Now to the business at hand- LSU beats Auburn 22-21!!!

I have been beyond bitter and negative about the state of LSU Football under Alleva and never more so than the last 2 years with Ogeron as the head coach. Simply put, I just didn’t think Ogeron merited the LSU job and more bluntly put, I think that the way Alleva blundered the attempted Miles’ dismissal in 2015 then the way Alleva hired Ogeron after dismissing Miles in 2016 was a colossal embarrassment. Admittedly, I have slowly become that LSU football fan that years ago I would have either avoided or disliked because of the pessimism. You know, the kind of fan that Nick Saban once classified as suffering from “Catastrophe Syndrome”. Life may not have been easier back in the day but it sure was nicer to be the quintessential LSU Super Fan that always wore Purple and Gold glasses. My proverbial LSU glass was always half full back in the day even if it had several holes in it and only one drop of water remained. Being that guy was always way more fun to be and to be around but LSU fatigue has set in the last handful of years. And before anyone questions my allegiance or if I am a true fan, the fact that I have invested my time, money, and emotions on all things LSU since I was 11 years old should end that subject. So no matter how it may appear, not many want LSU to win more than me. I still get way too up after a win and way too down after a loss.

Before the season started, I predicted LSU would win 7 games mainly due to the “impossible” schedule but also because of the head coach. In fact, I thought if the stars aligned, they could scratch out 8 wins and with some injuries at the wrong spots, 6 wins wasn’t that hard to imagine. I just couldn’t see this LSU team with a suspect Offensive Line and the question marks at QB and Running Back positions having a strong or special year. I have often been critical of Ogeron as a head coach (Exhibit A- the Florida loss 2 seasons ago Exhibit B- the Troy loss last season). However, LSU did something yesterday that it hasn’t done very often in the last 20 years AT Auburn- they got a win!

Ensminger’s offensive game plan was more than solid and dare I say, somewhat creative! Burrow came out throwing the football. LSU came out with multiple receiver sets. The O line, that is still a major work in progress, competed and bought Burrow just enough time to allow him to make throws to Wide Receivers that we have been reading about being the strength of the team. Burrow’s stats may not be that impressive but LSU has a QB who knows how to make plays and isn’t afraid to lead his team nor is he afraid of the moment. His pass to Dillon was a thing of beauty. While the RB’s didn’t have spectacular days, they ran hard and kept the Auburn Defense honest. Through 12 quarters of football this season, LSU is one of only 6 teams that have yet to turn the ball over this season. The D was spectacular to start the game and in the 1st Qtr. However, Auburn and Gus Malzahn took it to Aranda’s unit in the 2nd Qtr. Auburn had the LSU D on their heels and they started to push the D line around which led to 14 points and the lead going into half. In the 3rd Qtr both teams traded blows but Auburn stretched out the lead. Somehow, LSU’s D withstood injuries and fatigue and stiffened up in the 4th Qtr. They got stops and the ball back to the LSU Offense down 11. It wasn’t always pretty and several times it appeared LSU was close to down and out but they fought, competed, and gave themselves a chance to win. And in the end, Cole Tracy nailed the game winner. 2 years in a row, Ogeron and the Bayou Bengal Tigers beat Gus and the War Eagle Plainsmen Tigers.

So here we are, LSU is 3-0. They will be well within the top 10 (my guess is they land around No 7 nationally this week) heading into the next home game against LA Tech. And for all my pot shots and complaints about the coach I commonly refer to as The Binder, he is now 9-1 in the regular season since losing to Troy last year. Oregon has the same number of wins against Top 10 teams (3) as Nick Saban and Urban Meyer do since the beginning of the 2017 season. No one else has a better resume than LSU and Ogeron through this part of the season. Did I just type that?

Maybe the schedule isn’t “impossible” like I contended it was. I have to admit that we are now positioned to get to 9 to 10 wins. Could it be that Ogeron is rebuilding the LSU football program back into a contender? Could the man Alleva hired because he loved LSU and was “one of us” be hitting his stride as a head coach after a failed experiment at Ole Miss? Could it be that Alleva made the right hire after whiffing on Jimbo Fisher twice and not landing Tom Herman?

Only time will tell but for now, it sure has been fun to be so wrong about this LSU football team.

PS-this crow tastes delicious!

Geaux Tigers!