Sign up or login to track your favorite teams

Sign Up for Bleacher Report

As a registered user you can subscribe to your favorite teams, post comments, write your own articles, and much more.

You must register in order for that functionality to work!







Validating sign up form ...

Bleacher Report articles are written by fans like you

Do you want to cover your favorite sports, teams, and leagues?

Processing writing preferences ...

Great, , you're signed up!

i.e. Big 10, LeBron James, USC Football

Selected Tags:

Logging in ...

Running a systems check after a bad crash… Please know that I'm speaking to LSU fans out there, although all are welcomed to listen. First off, bulletin board material had nothing to do with the outcome of the LSU-Florida game...

LSU-Florida Aftermath: Talking Tiger Fans Off the Ledge

by Justin Goar (Senior Writer)

38

2841 reads

Game Recap

October 12, 2008


Running a systems check after a bad crash…

Please know that I'm speaking to LSU fans out there, although all are welcomed to listen.

First off, bulletin board material had nothing to do with the outcome of the LSU-Florida game. So get that out of your head.

Second of all, let’s give credit where credit is due: Florida performed like the team that most knew they were. There’s a reason some Florida fans were making noise about their team in the first month of the season, and it’s because they know the team that showed up Saturday night is their true team.

When you kick the tires and look under the hood, Florida is supposed to own the road. So far in 2008, they didn’t look like it—until the LSU game.

Part of that you can heap on Urban Meyer, who didn’t really open up what the Gator machine could do until this week. Honestly, I think LSU knew the potential and just flat-out could not stop Florida.

This group of Gators is the team most thought would show up this season. While you were picking USC or Georgia or Oklahoma to win the National Championship in August, many others knew that Florida was going to tiptoe through all the preseason hype and come out and dominate.

But a loss to Ole Miss and some subpar stats changed the mind of many, even myself. In the summer I saw this game as a bad loss for LSU, but Florida’s track record this season convinced me that LSU would lose a close one as the game neared.

Still, coming into the game Saturday night, the Gators remained a six-point favorite and were picked to win by everyone who had a voice in the matter.

The eyebrow raiser, however, was the fashion in which Florida beat LSU. Most expected a repeat from last year’s classic, but from the early Danny McCray tip to Percy Harvin on a 3rd-and-12 for the score, I think most saw what was coming—that in fact this would not be LSU’s night.

Florida has the ability (heck, they had it all along) to jump back into the race for the crystal ball.

For LSU, despite what the scoreboard says, this wasn’t a bad loss. It might be hard to wrap your head around that right now, as most LSU fans have been blinded by recent success, but you just can’t bring a redshirt freshman quarterback to Gainesville on a night where the running game gets held in check and expect to win. You just can’t. LSU still controls its own destiny in the SEC West.

Flip to the other side of the ball, and LSU’s defense was just overmatched. If you think about it, though, the defense wasn’t horrible in the first half. Between tipping passes for touchdowns, staying on the field too much because of the inept offense, and allowing no points in the second quarter, the defense just got worn down in the second half.

I don’t think LSU’s game plan was necessarily bad against the Gators—I just don’t think they executed at all. Last year LSU had almost the exact same game plan against Florida, and the Tigers won.

Track this Article on My B/R
Flag This Article
Share This Article

38 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Curtis 8 months ago

    I wasn't expecting them to win either, however, I did think it would be a little more competitive. They just didn't look like the same Tigers to me. I don't think Tebow, or the Gators as a whole, really needed any locker fodder to get "up" for the game. If you need smack talk to get you pumped for a game of this magnitude you have no business suiting up.

    I will admit that in the 3rd qtr I thought....maybe....just maybe they might be able to pull it out. Then the flood gates opened and I sank even deeper into my chair. As I drowned my sorrows a smile slowly crept across my face and the following thought made its way to the forefront......see you again in Atlanta at the end of the year. I do believe we have a chance at capturing the SEC West. No disrespect to 'Bama but after So. Carolina we're at home for 5 games before heading to Arkansas to wrap up the season. I like our chances. This defense was embarassed Saturday night. They're wounded and will be looking to make amends. And believe me, Les Miles will not let them forget it either.

    I agree, no other team in the top 25 could have beaten the Gators Saturday. NO ONE! They were on their game and our boys were overmatched. I was very impressed with the various weapons of the Gator offense. Urban Meyer opened the full playbook and Tebow ran it to a "T". (no pun intended)

    It's one loss for us and we're still in the thick of it. The Tigers will learn from this and move forward.

    Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go sit in an ice bath...I felt that whoopin through the TV.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  2. 12 8 months ago

    The two scat backs that Florida used was a different wrinkle for the Gators. Oregon State had a back that reminded me of these two guys, and he almost single handedly beat USC. Urban Meyer unveiled this just at the right time. If Florida has used these guys very much previously this season, I sure haven't noticed it. I thought LSU's defense looked slower than normal Saturday night, and maybe it was because of the speed of UF's offense. I just didn't realize they were that fast.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • David Wunderlich 8 months ago

      Florida used them both a lot against Hawai'i and Arkansas. They didn't see much time against Miami and Ole Miss because of how effective those two teams' blitzes were against rushing of anyone not named Percy Harvin.

      Chris Rainey was used a lot against Tennessee, but the other feature back in that game was Moody, not Demps. Moody was of course out injured against LSU.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Justin Goar 8 months ago

      in 2003 when fla won 19-7 (the only loss in saban's NC year) i think both of florida's TD's came from passes to the back.

      this team is much faster than that team.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  3. Nick The Only 8 months ago

    The wide offensive line splits really opened the lanes for Rainey and Demps. I think we will see more of that from the Gators as the season goes on.

    As for LSU fans, take solace in the fact that Florida probably is a legit national title contender and this is more of rebuilding/reloading year for you (especially because of the dismissal of Perilloux). Florida should be able to beat everyone on its schedule and play for an SEC title and possibly a BCS title.

    When you saw Jeff Demps run by your secondary like they were standing still you should at least know that he is the fastest american teenager ever. Not just the fastest football player or the fastest kid this year. He is the fastest american teenager EVER. He ran a 10.01 second 100 meter dash. He will look fast against anyone.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Justin Goar 8 months ago

      both lines of LSU gettting handled was the most unsettling aspect of this game. in fact, safety harry coleman made some great stops that if he didn't the game would have been worse. taclking really wasn't bad but filling gaps were awful.

      thanks for the comment.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Tim Pollock 8 months ago

      Speaking of Harry Coleman, I think he's still running his mouth.

      What was that guy thinking?

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Justin Goar 8 months ago

      i think he was the only guy to get a clean shot on tebow all night. apparently he forgot what the scoreboard read.

      he's still a monster back there though.

      i don't know, it seems like that happened a few times. fans aren't ahppy with it. i'm not sure if it's a way to pump themsleves up or trying to get in the offense's head to try to swing the momentum but whatever it was, it didn't work.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      1
      )

    • Tim Pollock 8 months ago

      That clean shot was on the two-yard line, though. Agreed that Coleman had some big hits, but for a secondary that's been lit up, he needs to zip it up.

      I haven't seen that kind of smack talk from LSU in a while. Little Trindon Holliday was yapping all night. Dude better be sure he can catch a punt before he mocks a crowd after a 25 yard catch.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Justin Goar 8 months ago

      "That clean shot was on the two-yard line, though."

      yeah i know, it's the little victories i guess.

      trindon is like 5'5" 100 lbs. i missed him yapping but would almost pay money to see it. that's hilarious. you could breathe on him and put him on the shelf for a week.

      i noticed it start during the laron landry era at safety. dude never shut up, no matter what was happening on the field.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  4. Toby Parker 8 months ago

    Two days after the fact, things are a little better. I remembered that article you wrote a few weeks ago about being a fan and how sometimes football losses hurt more than they really should. Getting beat by 30??? Watching that game, I felt like I was Marcellus Wallace at the pawn shop. The hurt and embarrassment levels were both high.

    To me, the only positive that came from this game won't be seen until next year. Jarrett Lee is going to be a better QB going through this. After that, I'm not feeling rosy about anything else. I'm still wary about the downward trend of the defense. One game is an aberration, two games may be coincidence, but more than that is a trend. It's crucial that the defense comes back and plays the way they are supposedly capable of...

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  5. Dale Weaver 8 months ago

    Justin...

    I liked your take however, this loss was very uncharacteristic of the Tigers. Like you said; it's been a long time since a loss like this. I'm not ready to commit suicide yet, but aside from the offensive woes, the defense is strangely off. I didn't expect a win but I didn't think we'd get obliterated. I'm sure we'll all be looking for much improvement going into the S. Carolina game on Sat.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Justin Goar 8 months ago

      agreed.

      i'm sure it had more to do with the way we lost. i think the defense is not blitzing as much in order to protect any vunerability at corner, but you have to mix it up at times. this defense hasn't really done that this season.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  6. Silver Fox 8 months ago

    As a Georgia fan who saw my team (expectly) come back down to earth after getting spanked by Alabama, this LSU loss did not surprise me but Florida's domination and 30-point victory did. LSU will rebound and go back to having a great season. Presently, Alabama is the best team and the darling of the SEC, but we will see how long that will last.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  7. Lou Vozza 8 months ago

    I think the biggest thing to come out of this game is Florida's defense gaining confidence in itself. If they can shut down the run like that in the rest of their games, especially against Moreno, they may be headed back to the big game. By big game I mean the SEC Championship game, which is the real National Championship (just kidding).

    However, the loss to Ole Miss might sink them. An undefeated Penn State or BYU could spoil the party.

    LSU is going to have a tough time getting back into this thing. Last year they started out as the undisputed no. 1 and played like it for the first month. That helped them come back up after things went South on them. This year they are going to need a whole lot of help.

    Hey, check out my updated Strength of Schedule statistics. This thing might be very useful at the end of the year.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  8. Scott Pusich 8 months ago

    A very balanced article, with lots of information to put things into perspective.
    Excellent read, Justin! ***** and POTD.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  9. J Wiley 8 months ago

    Many thanks, Gators, for giving the dawgs a preview of how to defeat the Baton Rouge Bunch. We'll sure need it before we visit their fair city later this month. And then, see y'all in Jax for the cocktail party. Game on!

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Justin Goar 8 months ago

      looking very fwd to the UGA weekend looks like we'll either have a cbs or espn game. should be a good one.......hopefully.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  10. J Wiley 8 months ago

    Best wishes against the Gamecocks. Their Defense is not to be taken lightly. Hope to see the ball coach throwing his visor and headset early in the game.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  11. Lisa Horne 8 months ago

    Justin-

    What a classy tribute after a huge loss! You spoke well, and laid it on the line. It takes guts, and I know how hard it is to spill out your guts after dreams of another great season get somewhat detoured. My Trojans don't look great right now, and are winning...but the inevitable will happen.

    Luckily for me, I have to focus on college football as a whole due to work, so even if my boys don't make it to Miami, it's ok. (Plus my Gators look good) keep up your great spirit!

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Justin Goar 8 months ago

      thanks lise,

      i don't know if it was the two championships in 5 years or what but i've mellowed after losses now. i don't know if it comes with age or what but i've gained perspective.

      unfortunately for most of the tiger faithful they've become spoiled and are acting so. but i don't think you'd get so many doomsdayers had the tigers lost by 10 or less. i think it was the scoreboard that has everyone "on the ledge".

      looking fwd to picks this week!!

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  12. Edmon 8 months ago

    Justin, you always tell it like it is. That's a rare quality. I felt like LSU lost the game in the first quarter. The put the ball in Lee's hands way too much. Too many three and outs. A heavy dose of Scott would have quieted the crowd and let Lee get used to the environment. That, I believe, you do blame on the OC and Miles.

    Great read.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Justin Goar 8 months ago

      well it didn't work when scott did get the ball. the gator D stuffed him all night. and then when you get down by so much you're forced into passing. and actually if you remember, after the first quarter and a half lee's stats were prety solid until he threw a pick 6.

      thanks for the kind words.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Edmon 8 months ago

      I watched the game at my friend's house. He's a huge LSU fan. We played NCAA 09 a few times before the game. I beat him like 52-24 and 41-21. I laughed and joked that the game would be similar. Not thinking it could be.
      I felt bad for him because he sat through it all. One of the other guys that was over punched a tree. A bit drastic if you ask me, but that might have been all the shots though. LSU will bounce back. There a talented team with a very good coach.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Edmon 8 months ago

      I meant they're (I'm not an idiot, I promise)

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Justin Goar 8 months ago

      in 2003, i threw a crown bottle during the florida game at our tailgate spot. my sister to this day says that was the most angry she'd ever seen me. (i'm not really an angry guy to begin with).

      after i cooled off, i had a moment of clarity and thought the tigers would make the season something special. turns out i was right. i don't have the same feeling for this year though. what tiger fans will have to get used to is the fact that in a year when you rebuild/reload it may be a disappointing season and that a disappointing season may be 9-3 or 8-4. in the grand scheme of things, if that's a disappointing year, things could be alot worse. saban had those kinds of years regularly except for the NC year and he was thought a god around here. miles raised the ante with 3 consecutive 10+ win seasons.

      i guess i started my hardcore fandom during the hallman years so i know what the bottom of the mountain looks like as well.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Justin Goar 8 months ago

      btw, it was an empty crown bottle. (I wasn't THAT angry)

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  13. Michael Oleszek 8 months ago

    Justin,

    I sat in the LSU section Saturday and the fans weren't really on the ledge. When the Gators were up 17-0, the fans in the LSU section were asking if anyone brought a flask with them. By the 4th quarter though, it had cleared out enough that I could recline over 3 rows of benches and relax. And, it was the loudest I've ever heard the keys jingling throughout the Swamp. (A Swamp tradition when the game is in hand)

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  14. Markus Winestone 8 months ago

    I can't watch when they start losing badly. I would click back and the bleeding had only gotten worse. The only other thing I found on TV sat. night was the second half of "Nice Dreams".

    Only a fool would think LSU this year would be close to LSU's team last year after they lost so many starters on both sides.

    Give it a couple of years churning out mid-level bowl victories, we'll be back in the BCS soon enough.

    Recruiting, recruiting, recruiting

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Justin Goar 8 months ago

      recruiting hasn't really been a problem except last year was a rare down year in La. prospects. but miles has had great classes.

      this year is much better and i would be surprised if LSU's 09 class isn't in the top 5.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  15. Tiger in Europe 8 months ago

    Actually I take all the blame myself. The Tigers never lose when I watch the entire game. I had a nice formal function to attend Saturday night, and had a few too many beers and when I got home (remember I am in Europe -- 6 hours ahead) I fell asleep.
    Put the blame here and forget all that other stuff.
    Besides we won a National Title with two losses last year.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  1. Troy Cornwell 8 months ago

    Justin,

    This article was written perfectly. It should sum up the mood of all Tiger fans. It was very level headed but full of emotion. There are a couple of points I think should be highlighted:

    1. LSU needs to win the games they are supposed to win
    2. As good as Bama has looked so far this season, they are still experience everything for the first time. Last season they collapsed the second half (LA Monroe). They will not spread y'all out and attack with speed. They will come straight at you and test your manhood. I like LSU's chances in that one.
    3. Even if the Tigers don't make it to ATL, there were some positives. Your QB will be very good. #24 on defense is a stud. Holliday is a very fast playmaker.

    This is from a UF alumni and die hard fan: The Gators are not that much better than LSU. We were on that night but we did play exceptionally well and LSU did not. Put it this way, LSU would be the LAST team I would want to play this week. Good Luck the rest of the way. GO GATORS!!!

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

Leave a Comment

  • You must register to post a comment.

    • Want to write for Bleacher Report

    We are a community of fans who write about sports. And we're growing.

    Learn More and Sign Up »

    Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
    Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.