Bleacher Report - Articles by Justin Goar

Tiger Tangents: LSU Is 9-3 for Better or Worse

Justin Goar — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:03:08 -0500

I love weddings.

Not in a girly "two people are starting their journey in life together kind of way" as much as a "I get to eat and drink for free and hopefully hang out with people I like" kind of way.

But there is a part of me, especially when it's people I love and care about, that gets a little sentimental. After all, weddings are happy occasions, right?

On the surface, the nickel version is always the same: Two people walk down the aisle not married, an officiant of their choice says some stuff, they kiss, they walk back up the aisle married.

That's the important thing, right?

The two people wanted to get married, and they did.

But under the surface there was a lot that went into that:

Picking the bridesmaids and groomsmen, negotiating the invite cut list, having to deal with moms of the groom and bride and their input, staying within your budget, picking out dresses, tuxes, cakes, a church, a reception hall, band or a DJ, wedding favors, what the freaking napkins have written on them, as if anyone really cares what's written on what they wipe their mouths with...etc.

Realistically, that's just scratching the surface.

I know because I've been through a wedding myself. I was lucky enough to convince the love of my life to marry me, and almost four years later I'm even luckier to still be married with a beautiful one-year-old daughter. (That last sentence was superfluous, but I'm trying for brownie points here, fellas.)

I remember all the hullabaloo leading up to the big day, all the careful planning (that my wife did), all the work that went into it (that my wife did), and all the worry that everything would go as planned (we both did). Just to walk down the aisle unmarried and walk back up married.

At the beginning of the season, any realistic LSU fan probably knew two things:

1) LSU wasn't going to win the Western division with a sophomore QB and a less favorable schedule than Alabama and Ole Miss.

2) The over-under on wins this season was nine.

Well, guess what? The Tigers are not Western division champs, and they are 9-3.

Everything went as expected. In fact, most thought they would be playing in the Cotton Bowl (myself included), but instead they seem almost a lock for the Capital One Bowl in Orlando.

But the ride to 9-3 was anything but smooth.

The road to most of those nine wins was painstakingly rough. LSU only looked comfortable as a victor in three of them: ULL, Auburn, and Tulane.

The Tigers struggled on the road in wins, and the best they played on the road was a game they lost to Alabama.

LSU is in the bottom fourth of the SEC on offense, and while their defense, run by first-year DC John Chavis, gives up yards by the bunches, points are usually harder to come by (LSU has only given up 18 TDs on the year). The defense is also hampered by an ineffective offense that can't stay on the field.

The main argument amongst LSU fans is how they got to 9-3. The devil is in the details.

The Tigers have been outrushed by their opponents (1,610-1,555) as well as out-passed (2,309-2,161). LSU only recorded 20 sacks on the year in contrast to opposing teams getting 35 sacks on the O-line and QB Jordan Jefferson.

The not so public rift between Les Miles and offensive coordinator Gary Crowton grew wider this season, and most expect Crowton and most of the offensive staff to be shown the door.

I wouldn't be surprised if offensive line coach Greg Studrawa (whose unit has grossly underperformed during his tenure here) and WR coach D.J. McCarthy (who's recently been named in a minor recruiting violation) also found a pink slip in their Christmas stockings.

One coach LSU would like to be holding on to is leaving for a head coaching opportunity, as RB coach Larry Porter will be taking over the coaching job at his alma mater, Memphis. Porter is a good coach and an excellent recruiter; he should make a name for himself in Memphis.

Getting back to the 9-3 record, I will reiterate it's how most rational, informed fans thought the Tigers would finish this year. I myself in the preseason picked losses against Florida, Alabama, and either Georgia or Ole Miss (saying they would win one of those two).

Minus a major coaching meltdown by Miles in Oxford, the Tigers were staring at 10-2 (but possibly no better bowl than the one they are expected to attend).

Wins and losses are not causing the grumbles, however. It's how those W's and L's were forged: starting slow in Seattle versus U Dub, winning a clunker against Vandy, escaping Starkville with a punt return and goal line stand, trailing in the fourth quarter to La. Tech, and squeaking by in overtime against a surging Arkansas team.

But one thing that must not be overlooked is the improvement from '08 to '09. LSU was embarrassed in a loss to Florida in '08 but only gave up one TD to the defending (and maybe eventual) national champions thanks to Riley Cooper's 45-year-old man in a pickup game tactics (I wrote that just for Tim Pollock; I know Florida dominated the game and was never in danger of losing).

The Tigers played Alabama tough in Tuscaloosa despite losing their starting running back, quarterback, center, and tight end in the second half. Maybe the interception no-call by Patrick Peterson would have mattered; maybe it wouldn't have.

And despite being outcoached and outplayed in Oxford, LSU still had a chance to pull a victory from out of the hat (so to speak) in the end thanks to the tenacity and resilience of Miles' players.

Has there ever been a season when a team was so close to 12-0 or 5-7? I still think Miles will have to appease the fans with a division title in 2010, or he could be on the hot seat.

But in 2009, nine wins are nine wins with a chance for a 10th. In a supposed down year, that's nothing to shake a stick at.

Even if the best man lost the ring, the flower girl cried her head off, the maid of honor tripped down the aisle, the groom saw the bride before the wedding, and someone sneezed now before forever holding their peace, the Tigers are married to 9-3 just like they were supposed to be before the season.

Now we can all breathe a sigh of relief and head to the reception (bowl game) and not worry about things like the caterer being late, the flowers catching on fire, and the cake collapsing. Right?

Mazel Tov!!!

Tiger Tangents: Where Does Les Miles Stand With LSU Fans?

Justin Goar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:14:17 -0500

(This article is essentially Part 2 to this piece about the Ole Miss debacle)

If the game against Ole Miss did one thing for Tiger fans it’s this: Their real feelings for Les Miles came out.

There are basically three camps:

1) Miles Haters

This camp is broken up into two sub-groups:

A) Those who have always been vocal and are now just louder because of perceived vindication. They are unable to give credit to Miles for anything.

B) Those who were quiet because he has had success in Baton Rouge but are now starting to grumble.

2) Miles lovers

This group for the most part will defend every move made by Miles no matter what. Sometimes disagreeing with Miles lovers may get you branded unfairly as a bad fan. This group is pretty quiet right now and rightly so.

3) The Middle

The middle is made up of what I would think to be the majority of fans.

The middle also has two sub groups:

A) People who genuinely like Miles and wish him best but sometimes question what he is doing.

B) People who have always been on the fence about Miles. They like one second, they think he’s a knucklehead the next.

It’s at this point I’d like to stop and share something with you before we move on.

Yesterday was a payroll Monday here at my job (whoo hoo a payroll story, Justin! I can’t wait to hang on every word! Please do continue!!).

My HR representative/payroll lady came looking for my time sheets. I put them in my boss’s mailbox for approval, but they were supposed to go to her first.

She asked, “Why didn’t you put them in my box first?”

What I would’ve said a week ago or a month ago had this happened would have been, “I guess I just wasn’t thinking.”

But what I said really without much forethought was, “Sorry I guess I just had a Les Miles moment.”

And there it was.

Before Saturday, Les Miles’ perceived coaching blunders (some deserved, some unfairly attributed) was a back burner tidbit. Something that would just come out every once and a while.

“Can you believe Miles mismanaged the clock before the half against Georgia?”

“Yeah but we won.”

Saturday’s game against Ole Miss and the aftermath have changed things. Miles’ game management deficiencies have cost this team a game.

Those groups above are shifting in population in the purple and gold nation.

I honestly didn’t think the backlash would be as bad as it has been.

This game, in the grand scheme of things, meant very little. Bowl positioning, ranking, and pride was at stake and little more. A chance to still win 11 games is now gone but really the season for Tiger fans was over when Alabama clinched the West.

Because that’s what this fan base has become. You win us division, conference, or national championships or we’ll lose interest.

There’s nothing wrong with having high expectations. Lord knows, Miles’ performance Saturday couldn’t have met the lowest of expectations.

But the grumblings going around call in shows and message boards are venomous. There isn’t talk of “Miles better deliver next year or he’s gone.”

There’s “Fire him, now!”

And it’s everywhere.

I honestly thought Miles could do nothing to get himself fired before 2011 (which incidentally is the last year on his current contract).

I thought the 2007 National Championship bought him a get out of jail free card until 2011.

But Saturday night erased 2011. Don’t be a fool, Miles isn’t being fired at the end of this season.

But now, Miles will be forced to deliver at least the Western division crown next year. At the very least he’ll have to beat Alabama in Tiger Stadium, as a three year losing streak to Nick Saban and Alabama might be the decisive blow in the Miles versus Saban contest and Miles’ ticket out of the Bayou State.

Les has a contract that would make Jimmy Sexton pee his pants with excitement. Miles and his agent George Bass have an $18.50 million dollar buyout in place.

There isn’t a contract in college football that protects its coach more and leaves a school in a more undesirable monetary position if it seeks a change.

My feeling is though that if things don’t change by the end of next season, AD Joe Alleva’s hand will be forced by the fans to make a move.

Ask yourself this, if Pete Carrol, Urban Meyer, or Nick Saban made the gross misjudgments that Miles’ compiled against Ole Miss, would the fan bases be asking for their jobs??

Probably not (although I hear all of you who say those coaches would never make those mistakes).

Before this there was only one moment that brought out fans true feelings about Miles.

And as a guy who comes to the Mad Hatter’s defense a lot, I’m not ashamed to tell you my feelings.

The morning of the SEC championship in 2007, the Internet was abuzz with rumors of Les going to coach Michigan.

It circulated on local news stations here in Baton Rouge and was confirmed by ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit.

At that moment most fans knew their opinion of Miles.

The haters were about to do a dance.

The lovers were crushed.

And the middle wasn’t sure.

I’ve always considered myself in the middle but honestly I was more worried about the conference championship game over the future of LSU football.

Take into account Miles was going to his alma mater and only the truly selfish could spite the move.

I always use the example of if the roles were reversed I would want the LSU alum to come home to coach his Tigers.

But there I was, not disheartened at all. Already thinking about who we could get to replace him and whether or not we’d win the game that day despite the news.

And that was it, I was in the middle. I’ve always liked him and sometimes wonder to myself “what the heck is he thinking?”

You may have someone in your life that you like or love and they have their shortcomings but you always try to believe the best of them. However, one day they do something that ruins all of that and your trust in them starts to falter?

Well luckily in my life I don’t have someone like that but in my football life I do. And he’s on thin ice.

2010.

Realistically Les, the clock on you has started and what you have to do in 2010 to win your fans back is win the West in 2010. Right now in 2009, finishing the season strong may snag a couple of swing votes here and there, but you’ve done your damage.

I can only imagine what everyone would be saying if this happened in a game that mattered more.

The :01 spike ball stuff garnered more headlines but in the end was pretty much void. The game was over, the play no matter what was called wouldn’t have counted.

Miles’ sins were letting time slip off the clock inexplicably and before that allowing offensive coordinator Gary Crowton to call pass plays once the Tigers had first and 10 at the 30.

Both were pretty awful.

Are they unforgivable?

Not if you like Les Miles.

But the Ole Miss game uncovered who exactly that is as “the middle” starts taking sides.

Tiger Tangents: Les Miles' Tragedy of Errors and What Really Happened

Justin Goar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:42:50 -0500

Are you ready to read?

Are you sure?

Okay, let's do this.

The Game

LSU's 25-23 loss to Ole Miss at Oxford has set the LSU fanbase ablaze. The focus of their fire is their head coach Les Miles. So much has been said in two days after the game. I'll try to go into as much detail as I can.

This was not a coaching masterpiece by old Les. He's seen better days. That's an understatement of gross proportions.

Here are some key points and my opinions.

Les calls a surprise onside kick after a score in the first half. It fails.

But it fails by inches. I was actually okay with the call. You can tell it was a play that had been practiced over and over. The kicker put a smidge too much on the pop-up that Patrick Peterson was in position to catch, but the ball came down out of bounds. There wasn't a Rebel player within 10 yards.

The two-point conversion

When LSU came within two points in the waning moments, Gary Crowton called a fade route to lanky WR Terrance Tolliver. It didn't work, but an Ole Miss penalty put the ball at the one-and-a-half-yard line.

While I'm very aware LSU is down to its fourth string running back this season in Stevan Ridley, the dude can get a yard and a half. At the very least you maybe go with a rollout play. They tried the fade again; it failed again.

The onside kick

Brandon LaFell dropped five passes that day, but his biggest catch was the grounder that found his hands that gave LSU a chance to win down by two.

After that, Crowton finally realized that a slip screen might work against the blitz. LaFell took the ball to just outside the 30-yard line, and the fun and second-guessing began.

First down

On a play where Crowton sent everyone deep, a blitzing Rebel team caused QB Jordan Jefferson to hurry a throw away for an incomplete pass.

Second down

This was explained by Miles as a quick hitter pass play. Ole Miss defended it well to where no one was open. LT Ciron Black forced his man high, but Jefferson, instead of stepping into the pocket, drifted right and into the path of the rusher for the sack.

Never, and I repeat never, take a sack here. Jefferson had shown some great effort in the comeback, and this was his worst play of the day. Taking a sack here is inexcusable.

You may point to the fact that he never should've been passing in the first place. We'll get to that later.

Third down

Now, you're almost certainly out of field goal range, and another head scratcher of a screen is called. Yards lost again, but that wasn't the worst part because there are 25 seconds left on the clock for your 4th-and-26 play, and somehow Miles lets the clock drain to the nine-second mark before using his last timeout.

If what Jefferson did a play ago was a sin, Miles' lack of clock awareness was a deadly sin punishable by a bald Kevin Spacey.

Fourth down

With only nine ticks, a Hail Mary play is called. WR Terrance Tolliver comes down with it at the five-yard line with :01 showing on the clock.

Mass confusion ensues...followed by the inexplicable lining up and spiking the ball to end the game.

Game over, Miles leaves the field looking as confused as everyone who watched the last seconds unfold.

The above is what went down—the following will try to make some sense of it.

The Coach

Before I get started here, I want to say that Les Miles is a good coach. Let me also say he is one of the worst game managers to ever walk the sidelines on this level.

I'll always defend him on the Auburn game in '07, but he's done other things to wear this reputation of a game mismanager. One needs to look back no further than the Georgia game this season, when Miles' inability to manage the clock cost the Tigers a chance at a field goal before the end of the half. LSU won the game anyway.

His first game in Tiger Stadium was one where some fans formed the opinion still held by them today. Miles had multiple gaffes in this contest versus Tennessee, a game that LSU lost in OT.

But Saturday night was a perfect storm of stupid. Many LSU fans feel like Miles stole a win away from him, and he did.

However, you may not have all the facts, so like a crime scene, let's go over it again.

I'm going to let you know when what I say is my opinion and what I say is a fact so there's no confusion.

For instance, this has not been confirmed, but I think Miles has very little to do with any of the actual play calls. I think he lets OC Crowton and especially DC John Chavis do their thing. As head coach, he always has a chance to override but rarely does.

The two-point conversion

Miles explained that both TEs were injured at the time and not ready to come back in yet, thus eliminating the chance to run the ball.

That sounds fishy to me. You mean we can't line up four wide in a shotgun and hand off to Ridley against a spread-out defense?

Actually, if you are an LSU fan you would know that no, we probably can't. Four and five wide sets always mean pass in Crowton's offense. You can't run out of a passing set; that would be like tricking the defense or taking advantage of matchups. It sounds downright illegal.

Again, Crowton's shortcomings come back to Miles, who never said through the headset after the second fade was called, "Uhh, hey there Gar, we got anything else in that book of yours besides a play that works 11 percent of the time?"

The onside kick

Very little to say here other than LSU executed it perfectly and Rebel RB Dexter McCluster was probably unaware it's only the defense that has to wait 10 yards to touch the ball.

First down

Miles explains that he didn't overrule Crowton's call for a pass here because he felt like Jefferson was in rhythm and Crowton had called a good series to get the TD. The call was for a deep pass to keep the defense honest—a setup play in order to run a short pass on second down.

There comes a time to step up and take control, and this (well, one of the times) is where Miles failed. When the play comes down from the booth, you tell your OC, no way, we pound three times and let our kicker who already pumped a 50-yarder through the uprights do his thing.

Instead the incomplete pass happens.

Second down

The short pass that never materialized. In a perfect world, Jefferson hits the WR for seven yards, maybe more after a catch and gives your kicker prime real estate.

However, Jefferson takes a sack. Something Miles said in his Monday press conference was that he did not explicitly tell Jefferson not to take a sack.

Sometimes you have to tell a child not to play with matches or they'll get hurt. Miles failed to do this, but let's not put it all on him. Crowton made the call for a second pass, which was ludicrous. Miles stamped his OK on it, which was awful, and Jefferson took a sack. Fill in a Three Stooges comparison here.

Third down

This was the, "Oh heck, we're at the 50 now with time ticking what do we do?" play. Crowton opted for a screen that lost yards.

At this point, what could you do? Ole Miss was going to blitz, and they covered the screen well this time. This was mostly good defense, and you end up having to try to escape the hole that you have dug for yourself.

But while in the hole, why not bathe in gasoline and light a match by letting 15 SECONDS TICK OFF THE CLOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My one-year-old daughter is about a year or two away from knowing you have to call the timeout immediately here. If you still see time ticking off the clock, you chase down someone wearing a striped shirt and tackle him while screaming for a timeout in his bleeding ears.

Miles explained this as basically he thought the timeout was called and he'd moved on to the next play and the situation in his mind.

Not very satisfying for LSU fans when your coach basically says, "I forgot to call timeout—my bad."

Fourth down

You're basically left with :09 to try to get at least 26 yards for a first down, but now with no timeouts, Miles thought the only play was to go towards the end zone.

LSU lives and dies on this play because with :09 they thought they could not get another play off if there was any time left (they were right, it would appear—more on that later). What no one thought, including the coaches in the booth and on the field, was that Jefferson's throw would come up short of the end zone.

But that's what happened. He was hit as he threw, and the ball came down at the five-yard line but in the hands of Tolliver with :03 left. It would also appear that two seconds drained off the clock after the catch (but hey, you're in Oxford, what are you gonna do?).

Now with :01 came a situation no one was prepared for. The FG unit wasn't ready because the call was a Hail Mary to the end zone because of a lack of time.

It's right here where LSU fans and outsiders have mulled over and analyzed video footage like the Kennedy assassination. Which leads us to...

The Spike Ball

Have you ever heard the term "clock it" used before this weekend? Me neither, but it seems to be a phrase I've heard at least a hundred times since.

It's like a sports hernia. I don't think they existed before 2007.

The main problem here was the question of, "Why on earth would you spike the ball with :01 left and not run your FG unit on the field or try for the TD?"

But here's another short, unsatisfying answer for LSU fans: Because the game was essentially over.

Whether it was a field goal or a pass to the end zone, do you honestly think the clock operator lets that play get off in Oxford for the opposing team?

Seriously?

The last play never happened officially. It's not in the official stats showing Jefferson spiked the ball. And in beyondo world, where LSU runs their kicker onto the field and he makes it or Jefferson hits Rueben Randle again for his third TD to win the game, it wouldn't have counted.

That makes everybody feel better, right?

Not even close.

But I do remember while watching the game I wasn't infuriated over the :01 play because I kept saying they won't get it off. I was way more frustrated by the 15-second lapse in calling a timeout.

However, what happened needs to be talked about.

The buzz around Baton Rouge (and the college football nation, it would seem) was the boneheaded play of spiking the ball with one second and the questioning of Miles afterwards like he was Colonel Jessup and we were trying to figure out if he ordered the code red.

The code red being Miles saying he didn't know where the call to spike the ball came from and the video of Miles making what looks like a "spike ball" motion to the field. That statement would be construed as Jefferson took it upon himself to spike the ball.

There have been two explanations so far:

1) The one Miles sticks to is that the video shows him making that motion to the officials because the ball is stripped from Tolliver after the whistle and Miles says he was trying to tell the refs he was down.

Miles said, “The video that I looked at was simultaneously arrived with the ball and the catch, so the view that I have is that the Mississippi player comes up with the ball, and I’m telling him he’s down.”

2) There's another video showing Miles mouthing the words "clock it." This explanation (No. 2) I believe to be what really happened.

Miles said the call from the booth was to spike the ball because the booth thought it had seen 12 men on defense for the Rebels, which a spike ball would cause a penalty and give LSU time to kick (the count was wrong; it was just Ole Miss substituting, which they were allowed to do).

Now that the booth realizes the count is wrong, it's too late to run your kicker on the field (because they feel like they wouldn't have gotten the play off with :01 even if they were prepared to run the special teams on the field).

So a grad assistant is signaling to Jefferson to spike the ball, and he is confused—as any of us would be. He looks at the clock and points out there is only :01 left.

The befuddled QB finally looks back to his head coach, who just relays the call that was coming through his headphones.

So yes, I do think Miles was making a spike motion, and technically, no, he wasn't lying.

He states he didn't know where the call came from, but what people don't realize is that statement was protecting a coach in the booth, not leaving his QB to twist in the wind.

Miles stated, “I can only tell you this. I knew that clocking it was not the answer, and I was stung in that position with knowing that clocking it was signaled, and I was not for it. Now, to find out why clocking was called, I did not get until I came to work on Sunday, and when I came to work on Sunday, I was told that the view of 12 men on defense was why the ‘clock it’ call was called from the press box, and I certainly know that there was nothing that was going to be done with one second to go on the clock unless there was a defensive penalty."

C'mon you Miles haters, you know I'm right. Even you have to admit Les is probably too dumb to be sinister.

But just because he didn't lie doesn't take Miles off the hook for this game.

The loss rests solely on his shoulders, and the multiple instances of Les' brain farting Saturday has to rank in the top 10 worst coaching performances of all time.

I've defended Miles many times before, but this loss and his decisions were indefensible.

Miles met with his players on Sunday and took full responsibility. Below are some player quotes from that meeting:

“It makes you earn so much more respect for a man who comes out and says something like that,” senior tight end Richard Dickson said.

“Coach Miles has done great things here, been a great coach. The way he comes out and says that means a lot to you as a player and as a man. I earned a lot of respect for our coach for the way he talked to us.”

RB Stevan Ridley added, “I respect him. Any head coach that does that in front of the team and in front of the assistants, that comes up there and says, ‘This was my fault,’ it takes a lot for somebody to swallow their pride and say, ‘I messed something up.’

“He did what he needed to do. There’s nothing else that needs to be said. It says a lot about the person he is, and not just the coach. The team, that was something we needed to hear.”

“He tried to take the blame for the whole game, but I don’t think that’s fair,” LSU guard Lyle Hitt said. “There’s more to the game than just the last 30 seconds. That loss is on everybody’s shoulders.”

Added linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, “People are trying to say the end of the game is the big reason we lost, but the game could’ve been won at any time during the game. He’s taking all the pressure, and it’s really not his fault.”

It says a lot about Miles as a man, though, that his players would say this about him. But don't think for a second that there aren't players who are sick that they lost this game. However, don't think Miles isn't sick over it either.

Miles went over the game, especially the last minute, in much detail in his Monday press conference luncheon.

After dissecting his missteps, he added, “I regret the mistake. It cost my team a best opportunity at victory. In 48 hours I’ve gone through the pain of this, and it’s not something I enjoy."

The Aftermath

In a follow-up article I'll talk more about the fans' reaction and my own opinions of Miles going forward.

But the positives and negatives must be weighed. This game has exposed Miles' inability to effectively manage games—what are seemingly basic skills for a head coach.

Les Miles is a great recruiter and a great face of the program. His players play hard and respect him. But it would seem a great benefit to Miles to leave the game management to someone else—especially when the clock is ticking down.

He already leaves the playcalling to his coordinators. Whenever the clock hits 4:00 or less in a half, hand Les a Powerade and a towel and tell him to sit this one out. Surely there is someone on his staff (not you, Gary Crowton) who can manage the end of a football game.

Right?

Right???

(For a look at how Les Miles stands within his own fanbase and what's basically part 2 of this article, click here.)

(Player quotes above are taken from Randy Rosetta's Nov. 24, 2009 column in the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate)

Tiger Tangents: LSU Fans Have Short, Selective Memories

Justin Goar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:11:48 -0500

First off, let me just say that having an offense that ranks in the triple digits nationally is not something of which to be proud.

This Tiger team is far from perfect at 8-2, but looking around the country at teams like USC, Georgia, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, etc., losses to the No. 1 team and No. 3 team and sporting a top-10 ranking doesn't look so bad.

The biggest problem some LSU fans are having is the way in which the team is winning—ugly.

U-G-L-Y, ugly.

You know, the kind of ugly for which we do not possess an alibi.

Fans have short memories, though. Really short. Hey, ready to let LeGarrette Blount back on the field?

Sure, why not, it's been a couple of months. Let's let bygones be bygones.

Besides being short, memories can also be selective.

The weird thing is, 2009 eerily mirrors another season in the not so distant past. Of course, several things have changed since then.

The coach, for one.

The country's biggest natural disaster was yet to befall Louisiana and the rest of the Gulf Coast in the form of Hurricane Katrina. There was no such thing as the iPhone or Twitter back then. But it wasn't exactly eons ago.

Maroon 5 was popular, and "Hey Ya" by Outkast was played everywhere and constantly. Janet Jackson had a wardrobe malfunction, Mel Gibson wasn't the guy you wanted leading seminars on how to talk to the police, and Martha Stewart was sent to the slammer.

Ah yes, the year was 2004. It was the last season for a certain coach I shall not name. You know, the guy who announced he was leaving from Orlando's Capital One Bowl later that year. The guy whose last actions were to throw his DBs under the bus for a Hail Mary loss to Iowa in that game.

That guy.

Think all the criticism of Les Miles is a new thing? Think again.

Think a down year should never happen to LSU? That Nick Saban never would've had a year like this?

This coach that darted to the Dolphins and would dart from them two years later was just starting his fifth year at LSU, one year removed from the National Championship.

Let's fire up the way back machine, shall we?

The first game of that season was exciting. Oregon State was making a rare trip to Baton Rouge to take on the Tigers in the opener. How'd the eventual five-loss Beavers do against the mighty National Champs?

Not bad, actually.

In fact, it took some luck for LSU to prevail in this one. A late comeback helped the Tigers get even, and a missed extra point was the difference in OT as the Tigers won a wet 22-21 contest.

Beaver QB Derek Anderson would pass for three TDs against Saban's (oops, said his name; well, it's out there now) defense, which finished first in the nation (I meant in scoring defense, Bob Stoops) just nine months earlier.

After LSU pasted Arkansas State at home, they traveled to Auburn and lost on a leaping penalty.

Saban pulled QB Marcus Randall after marching down the field for a score on the first possession in favor of JaMarcus Russell, whose squad never found the end zone again that day.

Later on that night, Ms. Alabama beat first runner-up Ms. Louisiana in the "Okay, I get it, God, you don't have to rub it in using meaningless competitions to make this day bad for me" pageant.

That day marked the day that LSU fell behind in the race for the West and would never regain control thanks to an undefeated season by Auburn. That's right: The race for West was over in Week Three, not November.

Next week, LSU took out their frustrations on a hapless Mississippi State team 51-0.

The following week, the Tigers headed to Athens to face a Georgia team they beat twice the year before. UGA got revenge and then some, beating the Tigers to the tune of 45-16.

The next week the Tigers stayed on the road in Gainesville and took on a Gator team piloted by Ron Zook. After spotting Florida 14 points off of turnovers, the Tigers willed themselves to victory, and RB Joe Addai did most of the willing. LSU stole this one in the waning moments 24-21 over the eventual five-loss Gators.

LSU was only ahead for 27 seconds that game, but it was the last 27 seconds—somewhat luckily avenging their only loss in 2003.

Homecoming week brought the Troy Trojans to Tiger Stadium, a team that would lose a 31-point lead to Les Miles' Tigers just four years in the future.

The Trojans weren't any less pesky to Saban's 2004 squad in which the Tigers needed a TD by TE David Jones with 2:18 to play to beat Troy 24-20. Randall was the embattled hero, throwing for 328 yards but digging his own hole in the process, throwing three picks.

The following week the Tigers hosted Vanderbilt, who would finish '04 with two wins. That didn't stop the Commodores from clawing their way to just a three-point deficit at halftime, 10-7. It was a second half punt return by Skyler Green that broke this game open, and LSU hung on to the lead and won 24-7.

The next week the Tigers hosted Alabama. LSU won the game 26-10, but Bama fans made much ado about a missed pass interference call that cost Alabama a TD and would have given them a 14-6 lead at the time.

Instead, they settled for a FG and went into halftime with a 10-6 advantage. LSU took care of business in the second half and beat the eventual 6-6 Tide, 26-10.

Next week, LSU took on an Ole Miss team that had just three wins at the time. LSU was a huge home favorite but had to come from behind to win 27-24. The Tigers led only by one, 17-16, at the half. Ole Miss took a 24-17 lead in the second half, and LSU did not regain the lead until the fourth quarter.

LSU would destroy Arkansas in Little Rock the following week, 43-14.

After more than a month off, Saban would unexpectedly coach his last game for LSU against Iowa in the Capital One Bowl. LSU looked awful the whole game but somehow fought back to gain a late lead, only to lose it on a miraculous Hail Mary play that sent the Hawkeyes back to Iowa City victorious and LSU with a bitter taste in its mouth to end the season.

It was Saban's second bowl loss in five years, and his leaving still doesn't sit right with some LSU fans to this day.

There was much complaining about that season. Many disgruntled fans. Talks of changes at offensive coordinator and whether or not Saban was reeling in Jimbo Fisher or if Fisher was an average coach.

Many of the things thrown out there by fans are eerily similar to '09. But '09 as of now has the potential to be more like Miles' Sugar Bowl run in '06—losing to two better teams this season and a chance to finish the regular season with 10 wins.

It won't end with a BCS bowl if the Tigers get past Ole Miss and Arkansas, but 10 wins in an off year is nothing to sneeze at.

But you'd never know it by listening to the fans. Just like you'd never know it back in '04 that the team was one year removed from a crystal ball trophy.

Yet some fans still harken back to those Saban seasons (throw in 2002 while we're at it) as high watermarks and the good ole days, all the while conveniently forgetting that they were the ones probably bellyaching over LSU's 2004 season.

People remember what they want to, I guess. Maybe it makes them feel better if things don't go exactly like they did when they beat this week's opponent 63-0 on Xbox.

Even as things change, I guess some things remain the same, and fans will always find something to complain about.

My uncle (who's also a Tiger fan) enlightened me earlier in the season.

He asked, "What's the perfect season for LSU fans?"

I replied that I didn't know.

He answered, "A season where LSU goes undefeated, finishes No. 1 on offense, No. 1 on defense, beats Auburn, Alabama, Florida, and Ole Miss by 40 each, wins the SEC championship, wins the national championship, and the coach gets fired."

Lately, that sounds about right.

Tiger Tangents: My Glass Turns Half Full

Justin Goar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:06:05 -0500

I've always been a pessimist when it comes to sports and my teams.

I never think we'll win 'til it's over, and even then I still worry that a win can be taken away. As I've said before, this comes from my roots as a Saints fan.

Of course, don't take that as negativism, because it's not. Thinking the worst will happen and wanting the worst to happen are two different things.

So as LSU played in its biggest game of the year last Saturday against Alabama I really didn't think before the game that the Tigers would come out on top—not necessarily because of my outlook, but because of my football knowledge.

But I wanted LSU to beat Alabama.

I mean really wanted to beat them.

I didn't care if it was by one or 40. I wanted this game badly.

And as any pessimist would do, I looked ahead to a world where LSU would lose to Alabama and I totally feared it.

But now that it's happened here's the weird thing: I'm totally OK with it.

I'm not sure why. Overall, I think it's because I really thought through this game people would declare a referendum on the whole Miles/Saban war.

The intolerable windbags and purveyors of idiocy would run rampant claiming that LSU is dead and Alabama is here to stay.

And you know what? They would be right. Well, half right.

Alabama isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

It's pretty clear, even for an LSU fan, that Nick Saban is a great coach and he is working his magic at yet another program. Not to make LSU fans puke here, but Alabama is just as lucky to get Saban as we were.

So what I expected to see Saturday was an Alabama team on a different level than this LSU team—an Alabama team that was as tough as their undefeated record the past two regular seasons would indicate.

Instead what I saw was just another tough SEC foe.

And honestly I think that statement is more of a credit to LSU than a knock on Alabama.

This is a rough year for LSU. Inexperience at the quarterback position and a defense slowly finding its way under a new defensive coordinator has proved to be costly this year.

But at what cost has LSU looked bad? Seven wins, two losses.

And those two losses came to two of the top three teams in the nation, in a year where LSU is considered to be rebuilding/reloading.

If LSU wins out (which is a big if), they would have ten wins which is no small feat in the SEC, especially considering one of those two losses will probably be to an eventual national champion or runner-up.

Unless LSU collapses like they did last year after the Alabama game, this team still has a lot to play for in terms of pride.

It will be an uphill battle because of injuries but it can be done. As of right now I would say the Tigers would end up in the Cap One or Cotton Bowl.

That's not bad in a year like this, and after a game where I thought a loss would mean my world would turn into a post-apocalyptic Mad Max type of hell, but instead I left the game feeling good.

Heck, I'm even feeling positive about the future.

This loss was Rocky I for me. There are good things ahead for this team.

The Game

I'm not going to talk about penalties, no-calls, or injuries.

I'm not.

These things happen in football and are beyond the control of us as fans or the teams playing the game.

Was it a coincidence that the LSU offense sputtered when Jordan Jefferson and Charles Scott were absent? Not to mention senior tackle Ciron Black and the game-time decision to sit TE Richard Dickson with an injury.

Did it seem like there were some shady calls/no-calls being made?

Sure.

One quick note about the refs, and this is an all-season-long thing, not just a Saturday LSU vs. Alabama thing: Say you were a law student and there was a mock trial involving whether or not the officiating this year by SEC refs were on the up and up. You had game tapes from this season as evidence. In order to get an A in your class would you rather be defending or prosecuting Rogers Redding and his officials?

Nick Saban said, "An interception doesn't mean they win the game."

And he's absolutely right. But now I guess we'll never know either.

I'd rather look at the things LSU could have controlled, though.

John Chavis started the game great.

He brought great pressure packages that didn't really result in sacks as much as they did hurried throws and knockdowns.

The LSU defense was aggressive. They stuffed the run and made the passing game ineffective even coming up with an interception late in the first half to kill a drive.

Then two things happened:

1) Once Bama got their first TD pass, Chavis went back to a soft zone. The pressure wasn't there and the aggressiveness ceased to exist.

2) The Tide started running the ball and LSU didn't load the box to counter. And when they did, players missed tackles.

All the nastiness of the LSU defense faded and Mark Ingram started gashing LSU's run D.

This is to take nothing away from Ingram. The dude is the real deal, but adjustments needed to be made and they never were.

Add that to a defense that had some untimely missed tackles and it was a recipe for disaster.

The offense was no help either.

While Jarrett Lee didn't throw a pick six (yay for progress!), when it was crunch time it was apparent he was not the guy.

And on the biggest play of the game CB Patrick Peterson was out with cramps, and his replacement Brandon Taylor failed to make the tackle.

That was the dagger from which LSU would not recover.

And no, I don't think there was a block in the back that play. Pictures make that play look worse than it was.

Just like the picture with WR R.J. Jackson getting facemasked after a catch—that happened after a play was whistled dead, hence no foul.

However, there were some other wacky things that happened, which, as I said, I'm not going to talk about.

The thing you should take from the game on Saturday is that LSU got beat by a better team.

But much like Alabama fans felt two years ago after the Tigers won in Tuscaloosa, I think the winning team was lucky to get out of that one with a W.

Things I'm 100 Percent Right on and Anyone Who Disagrees with Me Is Totally Absolutely Wrong

•LSU is not poorly conditioned.

They are coached in that area by Tommy Moffit who is one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the country, and a guy that Saban tried to hire away from LSU.

Sometimes ankles get tweaked. Landing on a shoulder the same way Charles Scott did would cause a broken bone whether your were playing Bama or Florida Atlantic.

And anyone in a skill position like cornerback who is constantly covering the field and who had the flu the week before is going to have hydration and cramping issues.

You may be able to get by as a QB or OL having had the flu a week before, but a guy like Peterson is always running, always covering a lot of ground, and always using the fluids in his body at a much quicker rate.

It remained a challenge all day to keep him on the field and when he was there he was just as spectacular as ever. And when he wasn't, his play was missed.

•It's never really a good thing to brag about how many players your team knocked out of a game.

I know there are bad fans everywhere, and honestly, Alabama's fans on the whole have been classy especially in person. It's the Internet that makes people really brave...and really stupid.

•Les Miles did the right thing by NOT criticizing SEC officiating publicly this week.

The national media is all over this. More and more notice has been taken. Why take a fine and come off as a whiner? The high road was the right call.

•If Les Miles wins 10 games this year with a chance to add another via a bowl game win with this team, it will have been his best coaching job at LSU so far.

The Outlook for the Rest of 2009

LSU could trip up against either Ole Miss in Oxford or against the Razorbacks in late November.

They could also drop them both instead of just one.

LSU has been very lucky with injuries this season but they all showed up at once in the Bama game. Now LSU has the potential to be missing up to five potential starters on offense when they take on Ole Miss in two weeks after facing La. Tech this weekend for homecoming.

However, I think the injury to Jefferson may not be that bad and Richard Dickson may be back as well.

The point is, the bumps and bruises have started to mount in the home stretch and they may play a big part in how LSU finishes. If you don't believe me just look at the offense after guys like Jefferson, Scott, Black, and Hebert went down last Saturday.

The most important thing this week to me is to rest a guy like Jefferson while giving Jarrett Lee more reps in case he is pressed into action.

Keiland Williams' disappearing act continues, as it looks like the Tigers will turn to Stephen Ridley at the tailback position. Ridley reminds me of another No. 34 at running back for the Tigers, Cecil Collins—of course without all the felony charges.

Prediction

I think the LSU defense is going to be ill-tempered after last weekend and poor Louisiana Tech will be the unfortunate target of the Tigers' aggression.

Whether Jefferson or Lee gets the majority of snaps during the game, I feel this will be the Stephen Ridley show.

Look for Trindon Holliday and Keiland Williams to also get more touches. And yes, Russell Shepard should see a little more action as well.

The Bulldogs just won't have the guns to keep up with the Tigers, and Derick Dooley's squad will go down swinging.

LSU 35 La. Tech 9

Lastly, I'd like to say that all of this, football in general is just a game.

We get so caught up in it we forget sometimes what's really important.

Nothing made that clearer than watching Cal's Javid Best suffer a horrific looking injury on Saturday (link below).

The thoughts that swirled around my head while they were loading him on a back board and giving him oxygen while putting him in the ambulance included wondering if he would ever walk again.

Luckily, he escaped the incident with just a concussion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHwx61NaGt0

Alabama-LSU Preview: Three Keys to a Tiger Victory

Justin Goar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:38:01 -0500

Ok, so unfortunately I can't give you the wordy beefed up tangents that you've come to expect because as I write this, I'm in the airport waiting for my flight back home.

It's a shame I've missed most of the lead up to LSU and Bama's battle for the west this week as I'm sure fans of both teams have enjoyed the pre-game jabs, predictions, and good ole' football talk.

We all know who coaches each team. We all know the drama of the story behind it. We all know what's riding on this game for both teams and its importance. We all know that Alabama plays this game at home and this year looks to be a better overall team than LSU.

But I don't think the Tigers are going to Tuscaloosa to lie down.

If LSU wants to leave T-town victorious and in the driver's seat in the SEC West; these three things must happen...

Get an early lead

Alabama's Nick Saban loves, and I mean loves, to play with a lead and rely on his defense. And with the defense he's put together at Alabama, you can't blame him.

On top of that, LSU's offense hasn't shown to be as explosive as it was in past years. So it will be imperative that the Tigers get some points in the early going and keep Saban and his boys on their heels.

If LSU allows the Tide to get a multi-score lead and the crimson defense can rattle sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson, the game might be over before it gets going.

LSU will need balance on offense and honestly some big plays to cut the Tide deep. The most important factor may be the continued improvement of the offensive line which garnered RB Charles Scott his first 100-yard outing of the season (albeit against Tulane).

Third phase

Just like fourth meal, people often forget the third phase in football; special teams. Alabama, on paper, is much better than LSU with Leigh Tiffin, who I'm pretty sure has kicked 100 field goals this year and the ever dangerous Javier Arenas ready to hit the home run on a return.

Minus an improbable Chad Jones return in Starkville and Trindon Holliday nickel and diming here and there, the return game is dormant for the Bayou Bengals. While Bama has shown some lapses in the coverage aspect, the Tide definitely have the defense to bail them out. LSU for the most part is solid in coverage, but Arenas may be best returner they will face all season.

Most experts are predicting a close game, and if that is the case than special teams could be pivotal in changing field position for two very good defenses, as well as knocking those three's through the uprights. A missed/blocked kick on Tiffin or Jasper could be disastrous in a low scoring contest.

Turnovers/Mistakes

A lower scoring game may create a smaller margin for error, and if that's the case, mistakes might be season-killers for either team.

Both Alabama and LSU are excellent at creating turnovers and it's probably why the teams have one loss between them. Both teams are going to keep trying to create mayhem for the opposition in the form of mistakes.

Of any other factor, this will be the most important. I don't care how many yards one team gains more than the other, I might not even care what team converted more third downs or wins time of possession.

The stat that will determine a winner on Saturday will be what team wins the turnover battle.

If one of these two teams wins the turnover battle and loses the game I would be shocked. I mean shocked. In the same way I would be shocked if you told me the Saints were 7-0.

Wait, they are?

Oh, nevermind.

Prediction

I felt better about this game a couple of weeks ago. But for some reason, I have a bad feeling. Nick Saban doesn't have the best record after byes, LSU hasn't lost to Bama in Tuscaloosa in the 2000's, LSU seems to be improving while Bama has seemed to level off; all of these things should make me optimistic.

When you think about it, this was supposed to be Alabama's year. LSU was looking at a 9-3 season (a mark they are still on pace for).

Nick Saban excels in focusing his team for big games and the road to the National Championship goes through LSU, then Atlanta with the Florida Gators.

His team has had two weeks to prepare, and despite a few wrinkles Miles may throw at him, I think LSU doesn't have enough bullets in the gun offensively. Especially against the Tide's stout D.

That will be the difference. Much like in the Florida game for LSU, the Tigers will need to force a low scoring game in order to have a chance.

I think LSU will fail to get on the board early. The Tigers will lose the special teams battle, and most importantly, will make more mistakes than the Tide. All this will be too much for the purple and gold.

Mark Ingram will put away the Tigers with a deciding score in the fourth quarter and Saban's squad will make a 17-13 game all but over.

It should be fun to watch if you like defense and hitting.

Alabama 24 LSU 13

Tiger Tangents: The LSU Fan's Press Conference

Justin Goar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:45:46 -0400

I always feel bad for coaches at press conferences because really, and I mean this down to every single last coach, they hate them. And why wouldn't they?

Coaches want to coach and win games and they really don't like answering to anyone. Especially to reporters that second guess every move they make. Coaches don't always want to let everyone in on every little decision they make.

But fans are different. We would love for someone to question us. We want everyone to know what we think, even people that don't care what we think. But no one ever asks really, so we have to write, blog, facebook, tweet, and post on message boards.

So I decided to hold my own presser today regarding the Auburn game, the upcoming Tulane game, and other stuff.

Justin, as someone who's been critical of the coaching/playcalling, especially on offense, how do you feel the team performed against Auburn?

I do think some great changes were made that benefited this team.

First off, the elimination of the "check with me" at the line proved to get this offense going finally. QB Jordan Jefferson looked more comfortable overall and much of that comes from a change in playcalling style.

LSU implemented the short passing game and quick drops for Jefferson in order to get the ball out of his hands quicker. Jefferson did a great job all day in finding receivers and making good decisions.

While the offensive line seemed to pass block a little better, the run blocking still has much room for improvement. Charles Scott averaged 2.2 yards per carry against the Tigers from the Plains. That's not going to cut it.

Any other improvements you'd like to see on offense?

Well, there were some drops from the receivers. You'd like to eliminate that but it is going to happen from time to time. Jefferson had a fumble inside the ten yard line, you'd like to see him secure the ball better. You could argue he was in the midst of changing the ball to the proper arm when it got knocked loose, but he also didn't have it well secured on his TD run. Simple fixes there, really.

Better execution overall but still a ways to go.

As a fan, how was it seeing highly-touted freshman Russell Shepard get his first TD?

Well it was nice to see it on such an explosive play (a 69-yd run). No. 10 definitely has speed and quickness. Those are his strengths. His weaknesses are his size and his ball security.

But I know he liked scoring under the lights in Tiger Stadium and I'm sure that moment will linger in his memory for a while as well as the hunger to make many more just like it.

He is a great ambassador for this program, and I think we'll keep seeing him as a "slash" type player receiving touches as QB/RB/WR. He is dangerous but all reports of him say he is a good person and is already a "fan favorite".

I like the way he was utilized in the AU game and would look for more games like that the rest of the season for him.

So is the offense fixed? What changed in order to make this happen?

The big question is who has been calling the show so far with fans thinking Miles is ultra conservative and predictable and Crowton is aggressive and unpredictable. I don't know exactly what happened, but I do know that I rarely see Miles with a laminated play card in his possession during a game, but he had one on Saturday night.

So far as the offense being "fixed," I think everyone should slow down. This performance happened against the team with the worst defense in the SEC. Playing bad defenses usually cures all that ails. That being said, the Tigers have looked ugly in many wins against inferior teams this year, so it was nice to look good in one.

What about your prediction that it would be a close game and LSU would win by three in overtime? You were way off.

I'm aware of that. The thing is, this series has been so darn good over the last 15 years or so I just expected a great game. Also there was no indication that the offensive playcalling would get better (which it did).

AU has quality fans and a quality program. Its numbers are hurting right now (as far as scholarship players). But it will get back on track; the SEC is a better place when AU is fighting for conference titles.

There's something to be said for the fact that this is the first time LSU has won three games in a row in this series since the 1930s.

Between LSU's handling of Auburn and the fact that 'Bama and Florida struggled in wins, LSU fans are thinking optimistically about the Alabama game in two weeks. Where do you stand on that?

Well, while Alabama has a bye this week, LSU will actually play Tulane at home, although the 'Bama game seems to be dominating the conversation right now.

LSU shouldn't have a problem with Tulane even if the Tigers overlook them, but I think keeping everyone healthy in this game will be the most important thing along with staying in a groove on offense and defense and bringing that rhythm into Tuscaloosa in two weeks.

I'm not getting as carried away as other fans. I think LSU has some matchup problems with Alabama, but if the bye week doesn't help the Tide find its scoring threats again, LSU has a shot.

I'm not going to give you a prediction now but I definitely think the game will come down to mistakes and turnovers and the team making less of those will win. LSU is seventh in the nation in turnover margin; 'Bama is 19th. Both teams have turned opposing teams' mistakes into W's.

I'm actually hoping for a nice defensive battle. But Tulane is on the menu first.

C'mon, not even a hint in who you like in LSU-'Bama?

Not right now. I'm usually pessimistic about my team but I must admit that if LSU can perform like it did against AU in the Tulane game, and carry that momentum through the home stretch, this team may have an exciting finish.

No sense in downplaying the importance of the Alabama game for both teams really, but you have to wonder if Alabama has already peaked and if LSU is just starting to.

Alabama didn't score an offensive TD against South Carolina until the waning moments. I don't care how many yards Mark Ingram had, that was a 13-6 ball game with an INT return for a TD being the Tide's lone end zone appearance for the majority of that one, and that was a home game.

Alabama was a 14.5 point favorite at home against Tennessee and squeaked by because the Tennessee kicker apparently can't kick it over Mount Cody's four-inch vertical. Alabama's defense is as good as any defense in the nation, but you have to wonder a bit why this team's offense is stuck in neutral and how long the drought will continue.

LSU used its bye week to get better on offense— or was that all smoke and mirrors due to the fact that Auburn's defense is last in the SEC this year? Hmmmm.

Just how bad is SEC officiating this year?

The funny thing is, it's always been pretty bad. It's just getting a lot more pub this year.

Most of the gripes are legit. Even LSU benefited from some shotty calls early in the season (and I'm not talking about the UGA game). There have been too many to mention, although I know people are talking about Mount Cody and his helmet.

Technically, the Cody-helmet no-call probably should not have been a penalty, but ask yourself this: If Cody would have punched someone on the last play like that instead of celebrating would he be flagged? Probably so.

I think celebration rules in general are pretty ridiculous, but at least be consistent in calling them.

Plus, I remember an Alabama writer stating how undisciplined a Miles player was with taking off his helmet in disgust last year during the Arkansas game.

Celebration or disgust, taking off your helmet is taking off your helmet.

You don't get flagged for stomping on someone's midfield logo before the game either— doesn't mean it's not "unsportsmanlike".

You predicted 9-3 before the season started— still sticking with that prediction?

Yes. I'm a big believer in the "flow" of a season affecting wins and losses. For example, if LSU pulls a very emotional hard fought upset over the Tide I would think LSU would be more likely to lose its next SEC game as a letdown. LSU is saved by the fact that if it beats Alabama, it has Louisiana Tech at home before going on the road again to Oxford.

However, pure passing quarterbacks, especially if LSU fails to put pressure on them, could hurt the Tigers. I think that even if LSU gets by 'Bama it could lose the Ole Miss and/or the Arkansas games because of Jevan Snead and Ryan Mallet, even if Snead isn't having the season everyone thought he would. Mallet is for real but really needs a better supporting cast.

Either team could sting LSU in an upset, even if the Tigers lose to 'Bama. Not sure which teams will be the ones to give LSU two more losses, but at the half way point I had the Tigers dropping games to the Tide and Razorbacks to finish 9-3.

How about a prediction for the Tulane game?

You would hope LSU would be able to get on the Wave early and put the game out of reach so the reserves can get some time and the starters some rest before going to Alabama.

Still, I think Miles is going to work on the things he wants to work on, especially on offense. I don't know if we'll see as much blitzing from the D as we did against Auburn, but I think more of that will return against SEC opponents.

As for a score, I think as long as LSU limits mistakes it should win comfortably. But you never know how many of these guys will lose focus on the game looking ahead. I look for the running game to make a return appearance and for the Tigers to ground the Green Wave.

LSU 38-10

A Bayou Bengal on LSU-Auburn: Creature vs. Creature

Justin Goar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:18:34 -0400

Introduction

The "Tiger Bowl" has had it all: earthquakes, fires, magic, cigars, bad calls, comebacks, etc. We mention that every year. This year, however, something feels a little different. With Auburn starting hot and then cooling off most recently with losses to Arkansas and Kentucky, and LSU dropping a snoozer to Florida, the shine on this series has worn off a bit.

I don't expect the players and coaches to agree with that though. For them, this is a must win game.

For Auburn, if Chizik and company want to get back in the good graces of the War Eagle nation again, a win over LSU will be just what the doctor ordered. Even though the game will be played in Baton Rouge and the home team has been extremely successful in recent years, the Bengal Tigers broke serve last year at Auburn with QB Jarrett Lee leading a rousing comeback.

I think if Auburn can get past an LSU team that's been in a fog all season, this season may not be lost on the Plains.

For LSU, this is a must win for the Tigers if they still have designs on a division title and a trip to Atlanta. With the way the Crimson Tide have been playing, LSU cannot afford to drop games especially ones at home. Not to mention all the heat the coaches and players have received from an unruly fan base. A loss to Auburn means bad things for Les Miles and company in the eyes of the insatiable Tiger fans.

LSU will win if...

A little life is breathed into the offense

LSU had a bye week to get some things worked out on offense. I have some bad news LSU fans, if the Tigers can't figure things out against Auburn, then they will never figure it out.

Auburn's defense isn't what it used to be under Tubbs, however their offense has had some octane under Gus Malzahn. LSU is in some serious need of continued drives and big plays and it's possible the Auburn defense may be the cure for what ails a punchless offense in Baton Rouge.

It all starts with the running game. Miles always looks to establish the run and if Charles Scott and Keiland Williams can get out of the blocks fast then they'll take the load off of QB Jordan Jefferson who is still learning his way around the SEC the hard way.

All of this, however, is dependent on the offensive line who has been underacheiving all season. It doesn't matter who carries the ball if the line can't create holes or hold blocks. Jefferson has come under much scrutiny this season but if his line was playing better, he in turn would look better as well.

If the line can hold their own and Scott can average almost five yards a carry like he did against Florida then that should open up the passing game for Jefferson and the scoreboard operator may not get to snooze as much this week.

LSU will lose if...

Mistakes Mistakes Mistakes

It seems obvious and cliched to say the team that makes the most mistakes will lose, but this series is kind of weird and it doesn't always work out that way.

The fact remains that LSU will not be able to afford serious mistakes in the form of turnovers, penalties, and botched fundamentals.

The Auburn offense is potent and the last thing the Tigers need is to get in a scoring contest with AU. LSU won't win that way.

Les Miles knows that in order to win, they'll have to be solid on both sides of the ball.

If the offense shoots itself in the foot with mistakes then they're not going to give the defense a chance.

If both teams play good football then watching Malzahn and John Chavis match wits should be fun for all.

X Factor

Winning third down

LSU obtained most of its success in this decade by being solid on third down on both offense and defense.

While LSU's offense is in the middle of the pack in the SEC converting on third down (that high?), the defense is dead last allowing opponents to convert at an almost 42 percent clip.

The flipside of that coin: Auburn is second in the conference on offense converting on third downs just after Florida.

This is huge for LSU because failing to convert on offense will keep the defense on the field longer and the defense can work themselves into a hole by allowing third down conversions which may get worse as the game goes on if the Tiger defense can't get off the field.

LSU could become the victim of its own vicious cycle on third down.

The team that plays better on third down in this game will win it and it will be up to the purple and gold to be clutch when the down marker reads "3".

Prediction

I was really worried about this game but somehow the Auburn fan base has alleviated most of those fears. I'm still a bit frightened of the Auburn offense no matter what happened against Kentucky for the Tigers.

I think most LSU fans are wanting to see the offense open up, but really, I don't think you'll see more wrinkles as much as you'll see better execution on what's already been in the gameplan.

With a week off, I would expect to see some trick play if the situation presents itself, but the Tigers will rely on a heavy diet of Charles Scott and Jordan Jefferson being consistent as possible.

Defensively, it comes down the LSU secondary having to be better than Auburn's receivers. No team in the SEC is better at protecting the passer than Auburn who has only given up five sacks in seven games. LSU gave up six to Florida. Much of it has to do with scheme but LSU's secondary will have to be on their game in order to defend this offense.

The linebackers also play an important role in coverage and will probably face just as tough of a challenge as they did against Florida.

It will be the D line's job to disrupt the passing game by pressuring and getting their hands into passing lanes.

Overall, I think the game will go back and forth and I think it's a game that won't be decided until the waning moments because hey, it's LSU-Auburn.

These teams can deliver on drama.

LSU 27 Auburn 24 OT

For the Auburn side of this Justin vs Justin check out Justin Hokanson's take on the Tiger Bowl here

Tiger Tangents: Watch What You Wish For

Justin Goar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:33:37 -0400

I had a pretty interesting weekend.

Of course, Saturday was the big LSU/Florida game and tailgating for that one was a blast. The game itself was rather boring. But actually the real eventful part for me was Sunday.

While you were spending your Sunday either recovering from your Saturday, getting things done around the house, seeing family, or just watching more football, I was cleaning out my garage.

It really needed it as of late. My garage is the kind of garage you don't always go into the deep corners of because there's too much junk. But sure enough while going through some old stuff I was going to chuck in our trash can, I found it.

It's doesn't look like much since it's kind of rusty, and I gotta tell you it's really old, but I'd been looking for this thing for a while: It's my old time machine.

I had wondered where I'd left it. Man, I loved this thing although I really don't get a chance to play around with it anymore since becoming a new Dad. But I was getting to the point where I'd do just about anything to stop cleaning, so I got inside and took it for a little spin.

This box of bolts used to be really frustrating because the controls didn’t always work correctly. It smells awful, in fact, the second I got in it I remember how much I really didn’t like this thing.

“Stupid piece of junk.”

See, I found this thing in a junkyard a while back. It got thrown out because it doesn't go into the future, just the past. And to be honest, it doesn't even go that far in the past relatively speaking. Man, I can’t believe I found this thing.

It's supposed to be like riding a bicycle, but I figure I'd start slowly. To start off, I just went back to last week. By the way, it doesn't take me anywhere else in the world either, just where I am now, Baton Rouge. I went back to last Wednesday and Tiger fans everywhere were abuzz for the big game Saturday against the Florida Gators. I found myself in a local sports bar and headed in the direction of the bartender and found myself in the middle of a group of fans talking about the big game.

"Hey guys, what would say if I said that LSU would hold Florida to 13 points on Saturday??"

Smiles filled the room, most every fan got excited. One even said, "Heck I'd take that in a heartbeat!"

You could really feel the mood of the room change as most fans who didn’t think LSU had a shot were all of a sudden optimistic.

Then it happened again.

All of a sudden amongst the happiness and anticipation for the big game I could feel the machine pulling me back into the present.

“Stupid piece of junk!” I yelled.

No wonder someone threw it out. I spent a grand total of about two minutes in the past. Not even enough time to order a beer.

Still I'd figure I'd fire it up again to see what happens. This time I went all the way back to July. I'm sitting at my computer. I’m on the LSU message boards and of course people are suffering football withdrawals.

Everyone is talking about the upcoming season. Different predictions were being thrown out. The high end was double digit wins, the more cautious of the fans were picking 8-4, and just about every scenario in between was bandied about.

It seemed to be the general consensus that most thought at the halfway point of the season that we should be 5-1 after the Florida game. Most said they would be happy with that.

Boy I had some great news for them...but I never had a chance to type it. Before I knew it I was sitting in my garage on Sunday again.

This is pretty fun I must admit. Let's see what this thing can really do. I had the pedal to the floor but the big tin can only gets me back to November of last year.

I'm sitting in my car listening to local sports radio. Caller after caller is admonishing QB Jarrett Lee.

"He throws too many picks!!"

"Why can't we give Jordan Jefferson a chance?"

"I would just be happy with a game manager at QB, anything is better than this."

"Gary Crowton is calling plays too fast and loose. Why are we throwing on first down so much with this QB, we need to be more conservative!"

It was a real twilight zone moment. But I feel like what I knew should be brought to the forefront. I call up the radio station and when I get on I simply say...

"Everyone's going to be begging for Jarrett Lee to be playing next year."

The host was speechless. I was telling him I was serious, LSU would be so much worse on offense in the first half of '09 that fans will be begging for Lee to play again.

The host hung up on me. He thought I was a prank caller.

I spent the next 10 minutes listening to people reacting to my call. Calling me a nut-job, an idiot, and questioning whether or not I was on drugs. It was frustrating, I wasn't trying to stir up anything I was just stating the truth—that right now, in October 2009, LSU fans would be asking for Jarrett Lee to come back under center.

But before I knew it again, I was brought back to the present.

Now I remember why I buried this thing under all the junk.

About a year ago in December, I went back to when Ryan Perrilloux had been kicked off this team before the '08 season. I didn't present fans with any info from the future, just a question.

If kicking Perrilloux off this team meant the Tigers took a dip in wins that year, meaning that instead of two or three losses the Tigers incurred four or five, would they be okay with it?

Almost all said yes.

They were willing to make that deal. However, I remember as last season dragged on, most didn't want to hold up their end of the deal. Tiger fans were writing checks they didn't want cashed in the first place.

And now it looks like the fans are emotionally damaging their second quarterback for the second year in a row.

"We don't want a quarterback that makes too many mistakes, that takes too many chances, or making throws he shouldn't make. We don't need a gunslinger, we need a game manager!"

Well Tiger fans wished, and their wish was granted…

So as it got later on Sunday I buried that stupid time machine back in the corner of my garage amidst the stuff I decided I was keeping. Don't quite know why I didn’t just bring it out to the curb.

Later that night I awoke to a strange feeling. Something didn't feel quite right. I got up and got some water from the kitchen. I went to the cabinet to get a cup then heard a strange voice in the very same room…

“Watch what you wish for…”

When I spun around a little girl who I'd never seen before was standing in my kitchen. I was so alarmed that I dropped my water but my eyes stayed fixed on the little stranger in my kitchen. She couldn't have been more than six years old.

My heart was racing because she startled me at first but there was something about her that seemed so familiar. We just stood there staring at each other.

I was too taken aback to speak. Finally, I felt like I needed to say something and right as I was about to ask how she got in my house she broke the silence…

"They brought it on themselves," she said eerily.

"What are you talking about?" I replied while being quite confused and honestly a little scared. "Who did?"

"The fans, they’re unhappier than ever, some are sad, most are mad," she said.

My silence belied my further confusion.

She stirred the silence again in a serious tone, "They never should have fired Les Miles."

My thoughts are further stalled by her words…then a chill comes over me as I start putting two and two together.

Little did I know she was about five seconds away from disappearing from the room altogether when she says…

“You were right all along, Daddy.”

Then she was gone.

Stupid piece of junk!

An LSU Tiger on Florida-LSU: Creature vs Creature

Justin Goar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:23:40 -0400

Preview

When ESPN's College Gameday comes to your citaaaayyyy, you know you must have a pretty exciting game on your hands. That much is obvious. "Big game" is even an understatement when the No. 1 Florida Gators come to Baton Rouge this weekend to take on the No. 4 LSU Tigers.

What's not so obvious is the direction in which both these teams will go after this game. LSU is hosting the Gators and is still a ten point underdog. First glance says the Tigers probably lose, Tebow or no Tebow. And to the college football world, that's probably what's supposed to happen. Florida returns a huge chunk of the team that won it all in '08. A team that embarrassed the Tigers a year ago in the Swamp.

This game is not sneaking up on the Gators. It's been circled by everyone looking for a spot where the Gators to falter in '09 especially Gator fans. Because of that, Florida will probably give one of their best efforts of the season just like they have the past two years against LSU. The game in '07 was an epic slugfest overshadowed by many other great games that year.

A win for the Gators this Saturday, will be just another step towards repeating as champs. That's pretty obvious. What's not so obvious is what a loss will mean.

Much will depend on what LSU would do with the rest of their season, if the Gators deserve/get a shot to be a one-loss champion again. Their road would be cloudy and with superstar Tim Tebow's future cloudy with possible concussion issues, the Gators could become a team that falters under pressure.

A loss for LSU means a loss that most everyone pencilled in during the off season in the first place. When people throw around predictions like 9-3 or 10-2, the Gators were seen as a sure mark in the "L" column. Even though the Tigers are ranked at No. 4, they haven't proven to be worthy of that ranking just yet, though the Georgia game was a step in the right direction. Beating Florida is a different animal of course.

Since a loss might be expected what's less obvious is what a win might mean for the Tigers. Having bested all three opponents from the East this year (Vandy, Georgia, UF) the Tigers would control their own destiny in the West (actually they still would with a loss as well) having offset the advantage for Alabama and Ole Miss (no disrespect to Auburn here) not having to play teams like Florida and Georgia from the SEC East.

In a bit of a rebuilding year where the Tigers seemed to be just a year away from reaching a ten win season again, a victory against the Gators will make the other teams in the West shake their heads as they thought LSU's schedule would be its undoing.

So to continue our look at what's obvious and not-so obvious here are some keys to the game.

LSU will win if...

Obvious—The offense which is still a work in progress starts scoring points especially in the red zone.

Sophomore QB Jordan Jefferson has benefited from his on the job training this season. However, he is still getting used to the position. The game seems to be slowing down just a bit every week, but after a while red zone failures will come back to bite this team.

The Georgia game showed us some firsts for the Tigers this year. It was the first time the ground game worked and hence it was the first time the Tigers dominated in time of possession. By doing that, the defense was fresher and it seemed to help both phases. Controlling the ball will be essential against the Gators as the Volunteers showed earlier this season.

Not so obvious—Special teams play.

Urban Meyer's teams are known for their solid special teams play. LSU so far this season has been inconsistent but looking better as the season has progressed. If this becomes a defensive game, then top notch special teams play will be essential in establishing and/or switching field position as well putting all important 3's on the board when the 6's don't materialize.

On the other side of things, LSU will have to do everything it can on both sides of the ball to contain the Gators. Having to worry about mistakes would sink them. However, shining on special teams could be the difference in the game. Chad Jones had a great day against MSU and Trindon Holliday turned in a solid performance in Athens. More of the same in the return game plus solid coverage could spell trouble for the Gators.

LSU will lose if...

Obvious—Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes!!!

The Tigers will have little margin of error in this game and must do several things right in order to have a shot to beat Florida. LSU started the season making bucket loads of mistakes including basic fundamental ones like snapping problems, missed tackles, missed blocking assignments, etc.

You don't win a national championship without making other teams pay for their mistakes. Urban Meyer's focus will be taking every error the Tigers make and taking advantage. If LSU's performance is riddled with gaffes, then Florida will rout the purple and gold and you'll be looking for another game to watch.

Not so obvious—The running game and O Line don't show up

LSU looked much better against the Dawgs running the ball and that was key. And now many LSU fans think it's back, but let's not be so sure about this one. LSU ran against one of the weaker defenses in the conference this past week and now it takes on the one of the best.

It may very well be the team the runs the ball better will win the game, but if LSU's O line repeats their performance from the first four games, Florida will take this game easily.

On top of the offensive line needing to step up for the running game, Jordan Jefferson has been running for his life because of bad pass blocking. If the Gators stay in his grill all day then the sophomore QB may find this situation more than he can handle. Jordan Jefferson has never started a game of this magnitude and it's up to his line to keep him off the ground.

The X Factor

The Obvious—Uhhh, I'll give you a hint, it rhymes with Slim Me-show.

Tim Tebow will go down as one of the greatest college football players of all time. I'm pretty sure having a Tim Tebow is a lot better than not having one. Concussions are nothing to fool around with. It's the type of injury where if you keep getting them, doctors will stop clearing you to play...ever.

If he does play, then what kind of shape could he be in? What state of mind?

There's no doubt this guy would give his all for his team, but he does have a future to think about. How many more bad hits to the head can he take this year playing his style of football before the eventual NFL contract is in jeopardy?

This is a tough spot. Honestly, as a fan of college football, I want Tebow to play. As a fan of LSU, I'm torn. I want the Tigers to win and one would think that playing without Timmah would be the best bet.

Either way, the task for Jon Brantley will be great. Never starting a game before for the Gators and coming in to a Saturday Night in Death Valley. Eek!

But with the defense and the weapons around him, it's not all on his shoulders and that's a good thing for the Gators.

Not so obvious—The shadow of the valley of death...

Or maybe it is obvious?

Maybe Tiger Stadium on a Saturday night gets its reputation justly. I was there for the Florida game in '07 and it was unreal.

On a college football preseason preview show, Urban Meyer was asked about coming to Death Valley.

He said, "Tiger Stadium quiets down real fast if you get on 'em."

This quote has drawn the ire of many LSU fans but it's not entirely false.

In essence, it's a true statement of any stadium. If Florida is leading by three TD's at halftime, the place won't be rocking in the 3rd quarter. Neither would it if they played the game at any other opposing venue.

So what Florida needs to do is put LSU away early. Put in on LSU early much like they did on the field last year in Gainesville. When Danny McCray tipped that pass to Percy Harvin last year, the game was over, the Tigers just didn't know it yet.

Don't allow those kinds of things to happen, let Tiger Stadium come alive, and anything can happen which would be bad news for No. 1. which Steve Spurrier found out in 1997.

Prediction

On paper, LSU should lose this game. Florida is on a different level than LSU this year and it's nothing to get upset about, Tiger fans. Florida is that good. That doesn't mean LSU can't hang around this one and if they do they have a puncher's chance.

LSU will not blow out Florida. If this game is a runaway then look for the Gators to be spoiling a Louisiana Saturday Night. But if it remains close, the advantage goes to the Tigers.

Now let's get something straight, I never think LSU is going to beat Florida. Ever. There was a year in the Zook era (2003) where I thought LSU would win and they didn't score an offensive touchdown (Tigers lost 19-7).

However, way back in 1997, things looked so dark for the Tigers. The week before taking on No. 1 Florida in Death Valley LSU took a nightmarish trip to Nashville and beat Vandy on a blocked extra point 7-6. During that game, LSU standout RB Cecil Collins broke his leg and was done for the season. It was bad.

But somehow, me, Mr. Pessimism was quietly hopeful and just had a "feeling" about that game. Every gameday up until that point I would write my score prediction in our apartment's dry erase board on Saturday morning before my roommates woke up (I was too excited to sleep in on gamedays). But on that day, I wrote no score. Instead I wrote this:

"Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground."

I was one of the many in the student section that night witnessing the greatest game I'd ever seen at that point in my life. We rushed the field at the end, tore down the goalposts. I probably still have the foam from one of the goalpost pads somewhere around here.

There was much celebration but one of the best feelings that night was getting home and seeing that quote on our fridge after all that we experienced.

Much has changed since then, LSU isn't exactly David anymore.

Logic controls much of my picking and therefore I pick LSU to lose much more than my fellow fans think I should. Would I be surprised if Florida demoralizes LSU Saturday night?

Not in the least.

Would I be surprised if LSU does the unthinkable again?

Not anymore.

I've seen what Death Valley on a Saturday can do. And for better or worse, it sometimes defies logic.

LSU 23 Florida 20

For the Florida side of this game, click here for an article from Tom Kessler.

Tiger Tangents: Tigers Slip Past Dawgs, No. 1 Gators Loom

Justin Goar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:03:59 -0400

In what's become a staple in the Les Miles era at LSU, the Tigers participated in another gut-wrenching contest on Saturday in Athens, Ga.

LSU, who went in as a three to four-point underdog (depending on your book) in Athens basically meant that Vegas viewed these teams as pretty equal.

And for much of the game, the Tigers proved to be better in most categories except one, the scoreboard.

The Tigers' D stuffed UGA's offense most of the day. The Bayou Bengal offense moved the ball, but sputtered when trying to cross the goal line. The result was a slim 6-0 lead going into the fourth quarter.

And all those people who sat through both of these offenses misfiring for much of the game were treated to a finale that finally got the scoreboard operator up from his nap.

Here's the good, bad, and ugly from the game:

The Good

It still wasn't pretty for LSU, but it was better, especially on defense. John Chavis' crew finally did what I was yearning for most of this season: letting the corners play man to man and letting players fly to the ball.

And most of all, more than anything else, I wanted players to stop missing tackles. They were near flawless in this department against the Dawgs.

The Chief still used players in coverage as opposed to blitzing, but with not being worried about Joe Cox as a runner, the Tigers took away the run and forced Cox to beat them with his arm.

And except for a blown coverage when Patrick Peterson thought he had safety help that never came and for the touchdown in which Chris Hawkins played the role of the little kid in the big kids' game of football, the secondary played very well.

Patrick Peterson kept AJ Green in check all day. When Green did get his, it was against other Tigers.

Charles Scott and the O line still didn't click on all cylinders, but they were better. Scott had 95 yards, although a third of that was on one play. He kept plugging away, especially in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line. His TD run to seal it was a thing of beauty.

Special teams, hats off to you. Not only did they not snap it over the punter's head this week (that's really a good thing, folks), LSU did an excellent job late in the game when Holliday had a solid return to put the offense in position to take the lead and the coverage team did an excellent job when the tables were turned on LSU for their "celebration" penalty (more on that in a minute).

Tommy Moffit is LSU's strength and conditioning coach. He's the best in the country at what he does. LSU's fourth quarter heroics in the better part of the last 10 years prove his worth. He is still the most important yet underpublicized part of the LSU team and the guy deserves a game ball as much as Charles Scott and the defense.

The Bad

The Tigers stall in the red zone. LSU can't leave that many points off the board when the rest of the SEC comes calling. Missed opportunities on offense will kill you later in the year (oh, and this week, too).

While the O line was improved, they still gave up six sacks. Jordan Jefferson does have a tendency to hold on to the ball for a long time, but on some plays, he's not even given a chance. And that leads to...

No sacks for the LSU defense for the third game in a row. Once again, giving up two TDs to a traditional SEC power at their place isn't a bad thing. If you're not going to pressure, you better cover, which the Tigers did, but it's nice seeing an opposing QB taste turf from time to time.

The Ugly

Excessive celebration calls? Please! The refs were way off in both calls against UGA's AJ Green and the makeup call against Charles Scott. The call on Scott may make other players wonder if they can take a knee without getting a flag and the call on Green seemed to come from nowhere.

This wasn't like taking your whole team and having them celebrate in the end zone. Scott's supposed trespass, although the league already confirmed they would call it again if given the chance on Scott, was giving praise. This is an excerpt from the Shreveport Times:

"Scott said he was not pointing to fans. He was pointing to the heavens.

"'It was an amazing run,' he said. 'There was only one explanation how I did that. It was God.'

"Scott said he was innocent as was Green."

On a good day, you may be able to convince me that Scott's "giving it up to God" gesture may warrant a flag, but Green ran to his teammates.

Some say Green made a gesture after he separated from his teammates, but honestly, I didn't go back and watch it.

And neither should you. Do you know why?

Because neither call decided the game.

Both teams were put in the same situation: being behind when receving a kickoff. LSU took advantage with a long return by Trindon Holliday. On the other end, UGA was stuffed after a minimal gain.

Charles Scott busted a 33-yard run after breaking two tackles and looking like a battering ram in the process. Joe Cox was intercepted on a great catch by LB Perry Riley (ahem, who's from Stone Mountain, Ga. by the way) to virtually end the game.

When it came down to it, LSU's offense, defense, and special teams made plays. Georgia's three phases failed to do so.

Sometimes, it's not about throwing punches, but who can take them and get up. LSU was the last man standing in Athens—at least this time.

No. 1 vs No. 4

I guess a few people will talk about a certain football game being played this Saturday night in Baton Rouge. And why not? When LSU and Florida get together, it's been pretty entertaining over the last several years sans last year's unmasking of the Tigers.

Any way you slice it, Florida is impressive. A team that won the national championship last year returned its entire defense and Heisman Trophy-winning QB. They are scary to say the least.

As I watched LSU barely squeak by Mississippi State a couple weeks ago, I thought this LSU team would lose to Florida by 30.

But now, I have a little bit of a different take.

If you want to know what it is, you'll have to stay tuned for my "Creature vs Creature" later this week. But until then, I leave you today with some nuggets of goodness regarding Saturday's showdown in Death Valley:

Since 2001, Florida is 8-0 after a bye. LSU is 9-0 before a bye week.

LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis, while at Tennessee, held the Florida offense to 243 yards in '08, their lowest output of the season.

John Brantley, the backup to Tebow, leads the SEC in passing efficiency. If I were you, Mr. Brantley, I'd keep my cell phone number hidden from anyone who might try to...oh, too late, sorry.

Four of the last six years, including the last three straight, the winner of this game has gone on to win the national championship.

The last time two top five teams squared off in Tiger Stadium, it was Halloween night, 1959, the night of Billy Cannon's 89-yard punt return against Ole Miss.

LSU hasn't lost a Saturday night game in Tiger Stadium since 2002.

The only team to beat Les Miles while at LSU in back-to-back years so far is the Arkansas Razorbacks.

In 2007, the LSU-Florida game recorded a decibel reading of 132, which, at the time, made it the loudest recorded reading at a college football game.

The only No. 1 team LSU has ever defeated at home in Death Valley was a Spurrier-led Gator team in 1997. The score was 28-21 and the Gators were the defending national champions.

Honestly, this could be one for the ages or it could be Florida getting past its biggest obstacle on its schedule. Either way, I hope it lives up to the hype.

Tiger Tangents: True Tests Await LSU Tigers, Starting in Athens

Justin Goar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:50:14 -0400

These Paper Tigers aren't even good on paper...

Technically, style points are not rewarded or deducted in college football. But if they were, LSU would be taken to task by the East German judges after the first four games.

And it's not just the overly critical, always negative fans coming out of the woodwork to show concern. It's the overly pragmatic, pessimistic, yet ironically hopeful bastions of reason like yours truly who have their eyebrows raised at the current moment.

I've been writing on this site for over a year. In that time, I think I've illustrated that I'm no sunshine pumper. I do Creature vs. Creatures and predict my team to lose because it's my belief there needs to be some separation for a fan engaging in sports "journalism."

Reality shouldn't be put aside just because a writer has passion for his team.

On the other side of that coin, I've defended Les Miles countless times and every once in a while criticized him when he deserved it.

If you took score, I probably defended him about nine times for every time I criticized him. But if this season keeps going the way it's going, I may even that score a little.

Before you think me crazy or spoiled, I'm fully aware that LSU is 4-0 and a consensus No. 4 in the current polls.

I'm also aware that some teams take time to get into rhythm and play their best football as the season progresses (which is usually the goal in college football).

I mean hey, I'll take 12 ugly wins. Heck, I'll take nine this season. Did I say nine? How about eight at this point? The number keeps getting lower with every week, it would seem.

If you want to play the excuse game, go right ahead.

Washington? Longest road trip ever for LSU, beat USC two weeks later.

Vanderbilt? Ugly game in ugly conditions, rainy and wet field.

ULL? ULL still hasn't scored a TD against LSU since 1924.

Miss. St.? Rain plus a four-hour delay arriving as well as an eventful flight over with an early start on Saturday morning.

If you want to find excuses, I'm sure you can.

I'd rather find answers. Here are my questions:

If the O-line is playing so poorly, why not let players behind them get some playing time?

If the players on the field are not getting it done, put in the guys on the bench. I'm sure they are hungry to prove themselves and might do some great things. Anything is better than the uninspiring play going on right now by the supposed big nasties, and getting benched might be the motivation that makes the difference the next time they see the field.

In fact, this goes for every position, not just the offensive line.

Why doesn't Russell Shepard see more playing time?

This guy is explosive. His yards per carry dwarfs anyone else touching the ball. Yet he is used sparingly. So what if he's a true freshman? He enrolled early and went through spring ball and fall camp. He seems like a sharp kid and is arguably one of the best recruiters LSU has right now.

At the very least, use this kid in the red zone. Fans are dying to see him cross the goal line. With two stalled drives inside the 10-yard line against MSU, why not give No. 10 a shot?

Why can't we spread it out?

This is one of my biggest criticisms for Les Miles. I know in my heart of hearts that offensive coordinator Gary Crowton does not want to line up in the I-formation, put a very inconsistent and inexperienced fullback on the field, and run his backs into a pile for a one-yard gain.

I actually saw Charles Scott once last game receive the handoff and almost immediately, while two yards deep in the backfield, put his head down and stop looking forward. We had at least five yards to go for the first down at the time. The play gained very little, if anything.

If the offensive line is struggling, take the pressure off them by using their talent on the edges. Get the ball to Brandon LaFell, Terrance Tolliver, Trindon Holliday, Rueben Randle, etc.

Use a short passing game to set up the run.

But Miles' Big Ten/Big 12 past (back when the Big 12 ran the ball all the time, kids) has him married to this I-formation three yards and a cloud of dust mentality.

To Miles' credit, in most big games, he plays faster and looser on offense. One of Miles' biggest assets is that he doesn't have an overinflated ego like other coaches and that he can usually admit when something else works better besides his own ideas.

But this is the one area where he seems stubborn, and if the offense is ever going to mature and start to gel, I think it would benefit the entire team (the defense too—you'd be surprised how much better the D will play if the offense can sustain drives) to start using players in space and take advantage of some mismatches.

If Jordan Jefferson can be accurate on quick outs and slants, he'll need only a three-step drop, and the line won't have to be good for long. Start throwing on first down and see the draw play open up. It can work, and I think Jefferson can be consistent on those types of throws over much of the game.

My Mama always said, "If you can't say anything nice about anyone, don't say anything at all..."

So in fairness of equal time, I'd like to say what I like about this season so far.

—When punter Derek Helton isn't punting in the Pacific Northwest or having the deep snapper sail one over his head, he's doing a good job at switching field position. He could've made a smarter play and either kicked it in desperation or just taken a safety, but punters shouldn't be put in that situation in the first place—especially not in consecutive weeks.

—Chad Jones was challenged by Miles last week, and the kid responded. Don't think I still don't see some blown coverages and fundamental mistakes on defense, but when the Tigers needed a big play, Mr. Jones delivered in the form of an amazing punt return and two great plays on the goal line stand.

—Speaking of that goal line stand, the defense was on the field for 80-plus plays at that point. Kudos to them for not giving up in a game where momentum had definitely changed to the side of the maroon and white.

—By the way, while Jones got credit for that fourth-down stop coming over the top on the second effort, it was sophomore linebacker Ryan Baker who was in for an injured Jacob Cutrera who made the contact initially. Baker is going to be a player; write that down.

—Jordan Jefferson looked much better throwing the ball deep when he actually had time to do so. But Brandon LaFell was leaving his guy in the dust all day. If LaFell keeps getting that open, I could play QB and get the ball to him. No really, I could—he's that open.

—I have a man-crush on CB Patrick Peterson. That is all.

—After being invisible for much of the season, it's nice to hear DT Al Woods' name being called. The defensive line is thin with experienced players, and injuries are making it worse. Hopefully, the guys on the field can get more pressure as the season progresses, as the Tigers have five sacks in four games, but I'm much more worried about consistent pressure than sack numbers.

All in all, LSU is doing some good things, but will it be good enough to outweigh the bad and beat the teams the Tigers are supposed to beat? I'm still trying to take a "wait and see" approach, but I'm doing so with extreme caution.

Release the hooounds!!!

There probably isn't a game in the SEC this week with two teams that mirror each other more than LSU and Georgia. Neither team was the favorite in its division but was probably expected to finish second or third in the division and still eke out nine wins this season.

Both teams have been inconsistent, and both teams have a good number of fans grumbling.

UGA remains the only SEC school Les Miles has never beaten, and LSU has not won in Athens since 1988.

LSU's last trip to Athens was in 2004, a 45-16 romp when Georgia took revenge on a Nick Saban-led LSU team for beating them twice in '03.

Both teams have had defensive inconsistencies, and both teams rank near the bottom of many categories in the SEC. The major difference in my eyes so far is that UGA is more battle-tested at this point, playing Oklahoma State, South Carolina, and Arizona State, while LSU's opponents have been less than impressive so far.

Also, it does benefit the Dawgs to be playing at home in this one, a much-needed edge in a game where the talent level on both sides is so close.

I think it will be a back and forth, mistake-riddled game. I think both teams will try to pass a bunch, and it may come down to whose defense makes the last stop. Going on the road two weeks in a row in the SEC is tough, and the Tigers have to start clicking and soon if they want to get the W and remain undefeated.

Last year, I went against my better judgment and picked LSU to win despite defensive problems and horrific QB play. This year, I think the Tigers look better, but so do the Dawgs, so the Tigers come up just a bit short between the hedges. Hopefully this year, I'll be wrong again.

UGA 27, LSU 20

LSU To Take On North Carolina In 2010's Kickoff Classic

Justin Goar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:35:50 -0400

Every season, the goal for the LSU Tigers football team is ending the regular season in Atlanta for the SEC Championship. The Tigers are guaranteed a game in Atlanta next season, however, as they will start their season in the Georgia Dome against the North Carolina Tarheels in the Chik Fil A Kickoff Classic.

The game pits an ACC representative against a team from the SEC. Alabama has appeared in the game the past two seasons taking on Clemson and Virginia Tech respectively.

The game, which is to be played on Sept. 4, will be the opener for both teams and will be broadcast in prime time on ESPN. It will be a great opportunity for Les Miles and Butch Davis (two excellent recruiters) to showcase their teams in the national spotlight.

In order to make room for the game, LSU and Tulane have cancelled their 10-year contract. LSU and Tulane will play this year in Baton Rouge and one time in the future, but the year and location have yet to be determined.

While LSU will take on North Carolina and West Virginia in 2010, the last hole in the schedule will be filled by in-state FCS school McNeese St. The Cowboys are an elite FCS program with a great fan base that will be excited to make the short trip to Baton Rouge and play in Tiger Stadium. LSU and McNeese have never met in football.

The Kickoff Classic will be the seventh time the Tigers and Tarheels have tangled, with LSU holding a 5-1 all time lead in the series.

The changes don't seem to be complete yet on the 2010 schedule. While the Tigers have out of conference opponent Southern Miss on the slate next year, the early word is that LSU will let USM back out of the game in order to play South Carolina in a televised game. So stay tuned for more changes folks.

It's a bit sad though that this is more or less the divorce of the rivalry (if you can call it that) between LSU and Tulane. When I heard the news yesterday, I imagined the below scenario taking place.

phone rings

LSU: Hello?

Tulane: Uhhh yeah, hey, this is Tulane, look I've been trying to call you for like the last three days, you haven't returned my calls. What's up with that?

LSU: Ohh yeah, um, about that...

Tulane: I keep hearing that you're breaking our date next year for North Carolina in Atlanta. Is that correct?

LSU: Well, see...

Tulane: I mean I know I'm not as relevant as I used to be but...

LSU: It's not that, Tulane, it's just that we made these dates a long time ago, under a different AD. We have a new AD now and we're trying to schedule some fun teams to play out of conference like West Virginia, Washington, and Arizona State. It's going to be great for the fans.

Tulane: What about my fans?

LSU: I'm sure neither of them will mind...

Tulane: Hey that's not fair, we had a freaking hurricane!

LSU: It was like this for you before the hurricane. We're just too different of programs right now. I'm so sorry, it's not you...it's me.

Tulane: But I can change.

LSU: 1982 was a long time ago. I know we had our two-team thing, but we play many in state schools now...like ULL, La Tech, ULM...

Tulane: You think I didn't hear about that small time harlot you're dancing with next year, what's her name...McNeese?! What the heck kind of name is that? Did you go directly to the trailer park to pick her up?!!!

LSU: Whoa, whoa, no need to get angry here. McNeese is just another school. It's just one game.

Tulane: One of the many! You're such a pig!

LSU: C'mon baby, you know I'm not a one in-state rivalry school anymore. We need to spread the love (money) around.

Tulane: McNeese is a glorified high school team.

LSU: That's not true, they're one of the better teams in the FCS.

Tulane: And what am I now?

LSU: You've changed. You used to be great but you've really let yourself go over the past 30 years or so.

Tulane: I thought we had something special.

LSU: We used to, but you're living in the past. That's over now, it's time for me to play other teams. I'm sorry, this just isn't working out. I think we need to go on a break for while.

Tulane: I hate this.

LSU: I know, it's hard.

Tulane: (Sobbing)

LSU: Hey, c'mon. Dry those eyes. Hey, who's gonna be my dancing partner later this season?

LSU: C'mon it's on Halloween. Who's gonna be my automatic win on Halloween?

Tulane: I am.

LSU: What's that? I didn't hear you.

Tulane: I am.

LSU: That's right. Now good luck in the CUSA this year; you guys are trying really hard.

Tulane: Okay, promise you won't forget me?

LSU: Of course I won't. Hey we'll always have "the Tiger Rag" right?

Tulane: Hey, what does that thing look like? I haven't seen it in decades.

LSU: (click)

Tiger Tangents: LSU's Early Progress Report

Justin Goar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:04:32 -0400

Two games does not a season make. I'm totally aware of that. In fact, I would think you would want to play your best football in the mid to late season a la the Florida Gators last season.

We can't all have a Timmy Tebow who makes a promise and then makes it happen. Many teams have to rely on entire units coming together, game planning, and execution firing on all cylinders. And of course, a little luck can't hurt.

The margin for error is so much smaller in college ball compared to pro ball. Which is crazy, right?

You mean to tell me a bunch of paid professionals can lose six games out of 16, still make the playoffs, and win a championship? Furthermore, college players can lose one game on one play and their season is over?

That hardly seems logical, but it's the way of the college football world.

Maybe it's that same mentality that makes college football fans so rabid. Every game matters more.

It is on that curve in which it seems fans grade their teams. There is little to no margin for error because one loss can derail everything.

Two weeks ago, everyone was undefeated, so expectations were high. Now, with a couple of weeks to view our teams, the picture may be becoming clearer (or fuzzier depending how out of whack your expectations were).

In April, I thought LSU would go 8-4, but after about 100 people said I was crazy or negative, I thought, "Maybe I'm the crazy one here."

So I amended my outlook to 9-3. I thought that was safe. This isn't exactly a favorable schedule for the Tigers, although there was a time where going to Oxford or Tuscaloosa wasn't a tall task. But LSU travels to the two other big contenders for the West this year.

They get defending national champion Florida at home, but this is a Gator team that returned 76 starters (I think), as well living legend/football god/superhero Tim Tebow. Kids, if you want to grow up some day and wear No. 15 at Florida, I've got some bad news unless you're like 14 or older.

The Tigers also travel to Athens this year. The last time LSU went there was when the infallible Nick Saban was coach, and LSU lost 45-16. Saban obviously lost that game due to Les Miles' future coaching of his players.

Throw Auburn and Arkansas in there as wild card-type games, and LSU has a considerable mountain to climb—a mountain that started modestly with the University of Washington on the road and Vanderbilt in LSU's home opener this past Saturday night.

So far, most LSU fans want the Tigers to climb faster...or, uhh, better. Or something.

See, herein lies my problem with high expectations: They create a bigger fall. Some people can handle this; most cannot. And that's why you have all the fallout over a team that is 2-0.

With that said, I will do my own assessment of the Bayou Bengals thus far position by position.

Quarterback—B

A very solid B, and let me tell you why. While 19-year-old Jordan Jefferson isn't winning any games for the Tigers by himself, he's not losing them either. Jefferson is doing exactly what most "logical" fans wanted him to do...manage the game.

I hate that phrase because it downplays the QB's role in the offense. Like saying yeah, just come in, be a quiet leader, hand off the ball, make throws when you have to, and for God's sake, don't make any mistakes!

Well, that's what every QB is supposed to do, but the mark of a truly great one is his perseverance under pressure and how he performs on third down. Jefferson has plenty of things to learn at this stage both fundamentally and mentally, but he's been very efficient for someone his age.

Also, he's started four games now between last year and this season, and he's thrown one interception on a pass that was deflected. He earned his "B" and has much room for improvement.

Running Backs—B

The shame of it is that it would seem the running backs got paired with the offensive linemen for their school project, and the O-linemen slept while the running backs did all the work. Still, they get graded as a group, and unfortunately the running backs got a B when they probably deserved a B-plus.

Receivers—B

Is the fact that I forgot the WRs in the first draft of this good or bad? Brandon LaFell is solid, Terrance Tolliver looks to be finally coming into his own, and it was great to see R.J. Jackson have a great game against Vandy. We'll see more downfield action for them as the season goes on.

Tight Ends—Inc.

Poor Richard Dickson hasn't seen many balls thrown his way, but this guy is definitely a player. His number hasn't been called enough to pass judgement just yet though.

Offensive Line—D+

I should be nice here because the team is 2-0, but the O-line really needs to step up their game. The run blocking is ineffective when it comes to opening up holes, and Jordan Jefferson has had to use his elusiveness a few times when passing because of poor pass blocking.

It doesn't help that Jefferson does hold on to the ball for a while, but it reflects on the O-line as well.

I'm not really as worried about the pass blocking. This line is pretty good at that and just needs to be more consistent, but a Les Miles team is a team that needs to run the football effectively. So far, the offensive linemen are lacking in that area, especially on the interior.

The O-line is so important because it truly affects everyone else on the offense and makes their lives either easier or more difficult. So far, the offense's woes can be traced back to this unit.

Defensive Line—C+

They played much better in week two, but this unit has a lot working against it. Its best players are inexperienced, and its experienced players are overrated.

Rahim Alem made the biggest strides from week one to week two, but now injuries have made this thin group even thinner.

My take: Put the young guys in now and let them get their experience, or at least shuffle them in and out frequently. It's the best way to keep the line fresh and get the young guys experience, all while avoiding injuries.

Linebackers—B+

Once again, maybe I'm trying to give these guys some confidence here, but the weak link for LSU the past couple seasons is actually playing well right now.

Jacob Cutrera (not Cutera; there's two O's in Goose, guys) has been solid, and so has Perry Riley. Kelvin Sheppard is inconsistent, and so is Harry Coleman, but Coleman brings speed to the corps even when he's whiffing on ball carriers or celebrating after a tackle on an eight-yard gain.

Overall, though, the LBs are trying to pick up the slack for the rest of the D.

Secondary—B-

Once again, this is a group project where not everyone's pulling their weight.

CB Patrick Peterson is giving an A+ effort and performance. Chris Hawkins is still a good game away from a "C." Danny McCray just can't seem to make plays, and Chad Jones is having a really rough time adjusting to the free safety spot.

Apparently the position erased the part of his brain that remembered how to tackle...and take good angles...oh, and cover well.

Brandon Taylor is actually doing a solid job at strong safety, and he and Peterson are currently head and shoulders above the rest of the unit.

Special Teams—C+

Another group grade with different members pulling their weight. Kicker Josh Jasper so far has done well with FGs. Punter Derek Helton had a horrific first game but followed it up with a much better second game in worse conditions.

The return game is nonexistent still (this has been the biggest disappointment under Miles in my opinion), and the coverage has been solid.

It's still very early, and the Tigers have many more games to play, but this is where we stand now. LSU will have a chance to improve again this week versus ULL (do them a favor and don't call them "USL"; do me a favor and don't call them "The University of Louisiana") and the following week in Starkville.

For now, these grades are probably good enough to make the Tigers 4-0, but after that is where it will get interesting on the schedule.

Then we will find out if these 2009 Tigers can make the grade.

Tiger Tangents: Putting the "D" Back in Red Stick

Justin Goar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:12:30 -0400

After the end of the Mike Archer era in the late '80s and the Curley Hallman tenure in the early '90s, LSU would taste only mild success when Gerry DiNardo came to town. While DiNardo found offensive weapons like Kevin Faulk, Rondell Mealey, and others, the real success started when defensive coordinator Carl Reese found his rhythm.

When Reese left for the Longhorns, it was the beginning of the end for DiNardo. The offense was very good, but the defense was atrocious.

It wasn't until Nick Saban got here in 2000 that the Tigers brought defense back to the forefront. Saban's teams were known for their aggressive, smothering D.

When Les Miles was hired—and by extension defensive coordinator Bo Pelini—the quest was to keep the defense solid. Bo had a rocky start with his defense in the wake of Hurricane Katrina but eventually had the better part of two very solid years with the defense.

It became unraveled a bit after the South Carolina game in '07, but the offense played well enough to bail the defense out. What started as a leak at the end of '07 became a burst dam last year as co-coordinators Doug Mallory and Bradley Dale Peveto ran the defense into the ground.

On the surface, critics of the Tigers last year pointed to shoddy quarterback play, and that was definitely a factor. But the real problem was the defense.

Miles, who is relatively loyal to his coaches, fired the two-headed monstrosity after just one season. That should tell you something.

During the offseason, the general consensus was that Miles made a great hire in former Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis. The move was well received, and the attitude of the fans in the offseason was that "LSU Defense" would be back.

But after last week's shaky start, the thirst for competent defense has some fans caressing the panic button. This panic isn't totally unfounded to those who lived through Lou Tepper at the end of DiNardo's tenure and the last year-and-a-half between Pelini and Mallory-Peveto.

People in Baton Rouge want Les Miles to succeed, but he won't without Tiger defense. If nothing changes, Miles will be allowed one more (meaning this season) lackluster season before the fans will put him on the proverbial hot seat in 2010.

I'm of the opinion that the Tigers are poised for great things in 2010 and '11, but if last week was an indicator, I could be proven horribly wrong.

Miles gets a do-over for 2008, but he stands at a crossroads right now. For this will be the season when we look back where things started to turn right again or where things started to go south for Les.

And it can all be attributed to his defensive coordinator. Just like DiNardo.

I am in no way pushing the panic button; that's not what this piece is about. It's about recognizing what a pivotal point we are encountering at the present time.

The Vanderbilt Commodores (this week's opponent) have installed a spread offense that scored 45 last week (albeit against Western Carolina).

The spread offense is the present and future of college football. If Chavis doesn't figure out the spread quickly (especially teams that run it with great athletes), then Miles will eventually find himself as a rich man's version of Gerry DiNardo.

We have patience for struggling offenses here in Louisiana, really we do. But nothing enrages us more than an ineffective defense. Miles has his wagon tied to Chavis now, and how the two write their names in LSU history will largely be determined by how this season goes.

LSU doesn't need an SEC championship or even a division title this year, but it needs to improve on defense if those conference goals are to be in reach for 2010 and '11. If not, Miles could lose the fans this year, just two years removed from hoisting the crystal ball.

I've seen the rumblings after one week. Imagine what 14 more weeks could do.

LSU has what relatively amounts to some preseason games before they get to the meat of their schedule on Oct. 3 in Athens. LSU has Vandy this week, then ULL, and then Mississippi State before facing UGA.

It's within these weeks that the Tigers can iron out the wrinkles and get where they need to be.

However, the toughest of all of them (the early weeks) is this weekend in Baton Rouge. Vanderbilt is dangerous, especially early in the season.

My guess is that LSU took Washington too lightly. If they do the same against Vanderbilt, a win may not be the result as it was in Seattle. If that were to happen, I'd stay off the Internet and radio for a week or two in order to not drown in a sea of negativity.

But Miles and Chavis can squash that talk this week with a decisive win against the 'Dores. While they are still Vanderbilt (sorry Vandy, I actually like you guys), they did beat Ole Miss, South Carolina, and Auburn last year.

They've beaten UGA in recent years. In their history, the Commodores had a reputation of putting up a good fight and then losing. Now they have a reputation of a "trap game" team—a team that can actually get the W on you.

Losing to Vandy is like dying young. No doubt you know someone that it's happened to, but you never think it'll happen to you.

It's my hope that the coaches were none too impressed or happy with the team's performance last week. It's also my hope that they impressed their feelings on the team this week in practice.

It is Miles who may be a victim of his three 10-plus-win seasons in a row. The bar is high—very high—and in order to reach it, Miles will have to get on Chavis' shoulders.

This week, we can start to find out if Chavis is tall enough or if he and Les come up short.

Tiger Tangents: Thirsty LSU Fans Take Sips from Half-Full and Half-Empty Cups

Justin Goar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:39:28 -0400

After witnessing the LSU-Washington game late Saturday night and the ensuing fan talk, no one is short on opinions and outlooks for the rest of 2009 for the Tigers.

Well, whether you're deciding that LSU will be fine this year or determining exactly what ledge you'd like to stand on for the next week, allow me to help you make an informed decision.

Although it's not just me helping you out with this—it's also two little voices (of the many) inside my head. I call them "Half-Full Fred" and "Half-Empty Ernie."

Ernie: Where do I start, Fred? This is too good. I'll give you the honors.

Fred: Well, you could start with the fact that LSU is 1-0. They faced an obviously improved Washington team who brought their A game, and despite the fact that LSU brought its C game, they managed a win.

Ernie: Booooooooring. Jeez, really?!! Are you trying to tell me a game like that doesn't worry you as a fan in the least?

Fred: There are some things LSU has to work on, but it's the first game of the season, and teams make vast improvements from week one to week two.

Ernie: "Week one to week two?" Are you looking at a coach-speak manual right now? Let's get into the nuts and bolts of this. The two big questions marks coming into the season were the quarterback play and the defense, and neither impressed me Saturday night.

Fred: You mean a 19-year-old starting his third game who didn't turn over the ball, made good decisions, and was able to use his legs to escape trouble and make positive yards was a bad thing? Jordan Jefferson should not be one of the first things out of your mouth when criticizing this performance.

Ernie: It's not that he had a bad game; it's just not that I'm sold on him yet. Plus the offensive playcalling was so terrible, you could hardly see what the kid could do. I thought Gary Crowton was some kind of offensive genius. The playcalling in the first half wasn't just vanilla—it was sugar-free vanilla.

Fred: You can't fault Les Miles and Crowton for the playcalling. It's obvious they came in wanting to be very conservative in the first half with the mindset of, "If we're up big at the half, stay conservative; if not, add a few wrinkles." The wrinkles were added, and the Tigers looked much better in the second half on offense, especially on the deciding drive late in the game to put it away and go up by 15.

Ernie: Vanilla is one thing, but not being able to execute is another. Charles Scott had just 52 yards and kept getting brickwalled all night. The offensive line flew under the radar last year because of the pitiful defense and QB play, but they underachieved at times last year, and they did again against the Huskies.

And even Bob Davie could see that LSU wasn't taking advantage of its speed on the perimeter except for just a few plays. When they did, good things happened. Screens and underneath passing could've killed this team, and Crowton and Miles never pulled the trigger on getting his speedy guys the ball out in space.

Fred: The final frontier???

Ernie: I'm being serious. Miles and Crowton had a chance to prove a point and take out frustrations from last year with a big win, and they didn't put their players in a position to do it, at least on offense.

Fred: There's still a lot to be said for this being the first game of the season and LSU starting out a young QB like Jefferson. Keep it simple, get the guys' confidence up. That's what they did. We need to move on because you'll see the LSU offense improve as the year goes on.

Ernie: Says you, but you're right. Let's move to special teams, because LSU's return game is still in the pooper and the punting is atrocious. Here's a switch—I'll be positive for once about something: The Tigers will never outkick their coverage when punting.

Fred: Once again, things that can be worked on. We made the only FG we attempted and didn't turn over the ball on special teams.

Ernie: You think the team can put up one of those signs like the Notre Dame's "Play like a champion today" that says "Let's not turn the ball over on special teams today"???

Fred: You're not helping.

Ernie: By the way, this just in: Washington went 0-12 last year.

Fred: It's tough for a team to face a first-time head coach like Steve Sarkisian not knowing what to expect. You couldn't scout tendencies; he changed the offense from last year at Washington. It was an advantage for the Huskies.

And who cares about last year? Last year, this same Washington team had BYU beat before the refs took it away with their no-fun policy. The same BYU team that beat Oklahoma on Saturday.

Ernie: You can't be serious. Compare apples to apples much?

Fred: What, you can talk about what U-Dub did last year under a different coach when talking about how this game should've gone, and I can't use examples from last year?

Ernie: It's of no consequence because now I want to move on to the crown jewel of my argument. There's really no changing my mind on this.

Everyone thought with the hiring of John Chavis that this defense would shape up. It didn't. It was awful. An eyelash under 500 yards given up to a team that really shot itself in the foot with missed opportunities, penalties, and turnovers most of the night. I'm waiting in anticipation to see how you're gonna spin this.

Fred: First off, this is a new system and the first game in the new system. Jake Locker is the real deal. Besides Jevan Snead and Tim Tebow, Locker is the third best QB the Tigers will face. The guy has better mobility and speed than Snead and a better arm than Tebow. That dude impressed me.

Ernie: Uhhh, yeah, he impressed all of us because he and Chris Polk made the Tigers look slow and unprepared. You can't use the "new system" copout. The system didn't make players miss tackles or take bad angles. The system didn't erase our ability to rush the passer.

Fred: I'll even admit the defensive play was a little uninspiring at times...

Ernie: Ahhh-haa!!!

Fred: BUT these are things that can be corrected.

Ernie: The Tennessee fans warned us about "Third and Chavis." Washington went 8-for-10 on third down conversions in the first half. If I have to sit through a whole season of this, I'm going to drive a nail through my eyeball.

Fred: Don't be so dramatic. The defense improved from the first half to the second half, allowing just three points save for that last second meaningless TD. And by that time the defense was worn out.

Ernie: That'll happen when your opposing offense runs 82 plays on you as compared to your 47 offensive plays. The LSU defense couldn't get off the field. Is this what Chavis is being paid a half-mil for? If so, sign me up; I can let opposing defenses wear us down and rack up 500 yards on us, and I'll do it for a quarter-million. It's a good deal really.

Fred: Can't you ever take a wait and see approach? Do you only think in knee-jerk reactions? Give the Chief some time, and give the Tigers a couple of games. He'll turn it around.

Ernie: Oh, how wonderful it must be to be in your world full of bubble gum and candy canes and fairies that poop Skittles.

Fred: Ernie, there's no reason to get down on the team this early. This isn't the first LSU team to not look impressive in an opener. There were teams all over the country ironing out the kinks.

Ernie: Like San Jose State? Charleston Southern?

Fred: You know what I mean.

Ernie: I'm gonna say it.

Fred: You're not gonna say it.

Ernie: I'm so gonna say it.

Fred: Here we go again.

Ernie: I miss Nick Saban.

Fred: You say that whenever something goes wrong.

Ernie: I miss him. I can't help it.

Fred: How short is your memory?!

When he was here, do you remember what you said after Arkansas and Matt Jones drove down the field in three plays to beat us for the West? Do you remember what you were saying about Saban when Dennis Franchione beat him 31-0 at home? After he lost to Ole Miss, you put a "For Sale" sign in his yard.

Or how you said Saban left Ben Wilkerson in too long against Vandy after the game was won? You said he ruined his career. Getting destroyed at Auburn? Ernie, did you forget UAB?

Ernie: Uhhh...

Fred: Just admit it, your way of thinking will never allow you to be happy. The grass will always be greener. You criticized Saban as much as you criticize Miles.

Remember when you said that Saban's teams always played down to their competition? How Nick was too conservative and played not to lose instead of to win?The Bluegrass Miracle was like a 94-foot buzzer-beater. I'm quoting you. You called that win an embarrassment. A win, just like Saturday night in Seattle.

Ernie: How do you remember all this?

Fred: I remember all your negativity. It inspires me to keep positive.

Ernie: I miss Gerry DiNardo.

Fred: Okay, I think we're done here.

As College Football Season Cometh, So Doth Creature vs. Creature

Justin Goar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:48:52 -0400

Everyone in the college football community is hyped to get the 2009 season underway, myself included. One of the many great things about this site is the relationships developed by writers with one another from different areas, styles, backgrounds, and team affiliations.

Those interactions gave birth to the collaborative writing effort on this site called "Creature vs. Creature." Quite simply, it's two writers, representing two different teams that are facing one another, collaborating on a game preview.

They say two heads are better than one, and in this case it's true. Balanced in its design, it brings you information, previews, and predictions from both sidelines.

So I invite the writers in the CFB community to once again step forward and offer this unique type of preview to the readers out there again this season.

The only thing to keep in mind is respect: respect for one another, the opposing team, and this site. I would never want this concept tainted by cheap shots and name-calling and such. So far, most of the pieces I've seen have displayed respect, and I would urge new writers to B/R who may be unfamiliar with "CvC" to observe that.

Lastly, this concept originated in the college football community last year, and I was delighted to see it spread to other communities.

Creature vs. Creature NASCAR? Creature vs. Creature F1? Creature vs. Creature wrestling? Creature vs. Creature tennis? They all happened, and then some.

Now, with the college football season kicking off in a week, it's time for CvC to come back home. Good luck to all this season, and happy writing!

Below are just a few examples of past CvC articles:

Florida-Georgia: A Gator's Take on Creature Vs. Creature

Creature vs. Creature: A Buckeye on Penn State-Ohio State

Creature Vs. Creature: A Gamecock on South Carolina-LSU

Creature Vs. Creature: A Panthers Fan's Take on Detroit @ Carolina

Creature vs. Creature: Memphis Tigers vs. Missouri Tigers

Creature vs. Creature: Roger Federer on Surreal-Serving Sunday

Creature Vs. Creature: Kuzmiak's Penguins Square off Against Caggy's Rangers

Creature vs. Creature: Formula One vs. Football/Soccer

Justin's Not So Weekly Brain Seepage: The Roast of the SEC

Justin Goar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:44:57 -0400

Disclaimer: Please note that none of the following is in any way, shape, or form endorsed by any of the wonderful people that run this site. If you are not familiar with how roasts work or are easily offended, then please stop reading. As with any humor, please take the following in the spirit in which it’s intended. If I’ve truly offended anyone reading this, then please...%*#!ing get over yourself.

With Comedy Central running roast reruns and such over the last week, I thought it’d be fun to take part in a roast—the problem being that I’m not famous and probably not funny enough to be invited to one.

The only roast I’ll ever take part in will be in my imagination, so that’s where we’re going today. Off to my imagination, where I’m the only roaster and the SEC coaches are the guests of honor.

Unfortunately, reading a roast may lose a little something in translation, so imagine a roast veteran like Jeffrey Ross or Greg Giraldo delivering these jokes. It may make it slightly more bearable than imagining my hacky, pudgy, unfunny self doing it.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen. It’s really an honor to be here amongst such respected coaches. The SEC is home to some of the biggest names in the coaching business, as well as some prime targets, so let’s get started.

It seems the dais is filled with the usual stock characters in every roast. The crazy guy, the douchebag, the oversexed one, the other douchebag, the old person, the has-beens, and the people you barely recognize and forget why they're famous. There's also that one guy who nobody really understands why he's there in the first place because he doesn't seem qualified to do this...

"So let's start with Gene Chizik for no apparent or appropriate reason. Yes, Gene's here despite being 5-19 at his last roast. How is it that you do a horrible job but keep being invited back? Do you have the same agent as Keanu Reeves and Vin Diesel?

"Man, Tennessee hires Lane Kiffin the same year Chizik gets hired at Auburn. It was like Christmas for Crimson Tide fans this year. I haven’t seen Alabama fans this happy since segregation.

"You're 5-19 at Iowa State, and then you get a job at Auburn. That’s like George Bush being President of the United States and then being elected President of the World.

"Gene wasn’t the most popular hire, let's be honest. The idea of hiring Chizik was slightly more popular than 'Bobby Petrino Day' in Atlanta.

"There he is, Bobby Petrino. I gotta tell ya Bobby, I sure hope Ryan Mallett isn’t into dogfighting. I’d hate to see you have to move in the middle of the night again. They don't use toilet paper in the Petrino household; they use coaching contracts.

"They really hate you in Atlanta, but can you blame them? Petrino left the city of Atlanta in slightly better spirits than General Sherman did when he left. Bobby has all the likability of Kim Jong Il without all the quirky character traits.

"Les Miles is here...we think. Les is the kinda guy that makes Gary Busey look stable and a coonass look intelligent. Coach Miles has all the speaking proficiency of Muhammad Ali trying to read Sanskrit. Settle down, Les; anyone can beat Bob Stoops it would seem.

"Actually, Les isn’t as stupid as everyone says he is. In fact, we play poker together. Last week he knocked me out of the game with three wild card draw fours, a reverse, and a skip.

"You did a great job in hiring John Chavis, but boy is he ugly. I've always wanted to know what the Native American Ron Jeremy would look like 15 years from now.

"By the way Les, you smell like a corn dog. I don’t really get it either, but apparently it’s really funny to people with very low IQs.

"Mark Richt is here in the first row. But I’m sure by midseason he’ll be in the second or third row. Sometimes it’s nice to have injuries as an instant alibi for how you lost games; you probably would’ve lost with a healthy team in the first place.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say 'first place' when it's obvious you'll never see it again. But Coach Richt, all the Florida women must be so jealous because of the great view you have of Urban Meyer’s ass all the time.

"Houston Nutt is here this evening. What is it with you Arkansas guys in positions of power? You sent Donna Bragg 1,000 text messages? Maybe an unlimited data plan was one of the ways the Rebs wooed you to coach there? Boy, I sure hope they have male news anchors in Oxford.

"You really messed up Arkansas football before you left. I haven’t seen the state of Arkansas disheartened this much since they passed laws against bestiality.

"There's high expectations in Oxford this year. Ole Miss fans having high expectations is like watching a fat guy get on a trampoline. Everyone except the fat guy knows it's a disaster waiting to happen. That still doesn't make it any less funny to watch.

"And Coach Nutt, what's with that hat you wear in practice? You look like Indiana Jones' slow effeminate cousin.

"It's nice to see Nick Saban here. Although he told me he didn’t know how many times he had to say it, he wouldn’t be at this roast. Nick, in 2001, you won a Sugar Bowl in the Superdome. In 2003, you won a Sugar Bowl/National Championship in the Superdome. In 2008, you went to the Superdome for a Sugar Bowl, but what happened? What was different about this last time? I just can’t seem to put my finger on it...

"Sometimes it’s not always the coach, I guess. Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll do better at Penn State in a few years. They'll need someone to replace their dead coaching legend too.

"Nick has a temper. He's been called a dictator in the past, kind of like Hitler. But Hitler was a little fascist short guy with a moustache that ruled a nation of propaganda-spewing minions that blindly followed him no matter what—people that believed that anyone who disagreed with them must be stopped. Nick, you're nothing like that; you don't have a moustache.

"I don't want to get Nick mad; he might headbutt me in the stomach.

"Urban Meyer is here, although his ego got here 15 minutes before he did. I see you have Tim Tebow with you. Tim, if you’re here, that means all the villages must have enough to eat at the present time. But you do great work Timmy; if it wasn’t for you keeping foreign babies healthy then Angelina Jolie and Madonna wouldn’t have reasons to buy new baby outfits every year.

"It's funny, Tim, that you went into football and not water sports, seeing as how you can walk on top of it. Tim’s a virgin, and that’s nice; you don’t see that much these days. For your virginity’s sake, it’s a good thing you went to Florida, because if Urban recruited you and you chose against Florida, he would’ve found a way to f*** you.

"Bobby Johnson is here also. Granted, he’s here so our collective GPAs will look good, but he’s here nonetheless. Bobby, what are you still doing in Nashville? Vanderbilt went to a bowl last year! Shouldn’t you be coaching Clemson right now or something?

"I mean, you got Vanderbilt to a bowl! That was your ticket out of there. In the casino, are you the kind of guy who hits on 20? Just because you're presently a Commodore doesn’t mean you need to stay on the ship until it goes down.

"Dan Mullen is here. Wait, who is Dan Mullen? Oh, that’s right, the guy from Florida. Coach Mullen, when you took the job at Miss. St., you were aware you couldn’t take any of the Florida players with you, right? You must have gotten some perks in your contract to come to Mississippi State. You’re probably one of the few in Starkville that has electricity and indoor plumbing.

"Good luck in recruiting. Trying to get players to come to Starkville is like trying to get Phil Fulmer away from the buffet line on 'Gravy Night.' I would be worried that I’m offending the Bulldog fans, but they probably can’t understand these jokes anyway. Plus I don't think the Internet has gotten there yet either.

"Rich Brooks is old! It’s OK, he can’t hear any of this.

"Did you know that Rich Brooks used to coach Pop Warner football a long time ago? It’s true. Wait, I read that wrong; I meant he coached Pop Warner in football a long time ago. Tell us Rich, what was football like before the forward pass?

"People, Rich coaches at a basketball school in a football conference. What were you thinking, Coach Brooks? What, was the Duke job not available? At least at Duke you wouldn’t have to go to Knoxville every other year.

"Thought I forgot about you, eh Lane? Ladies and gentlemen (and I use the term 'gentlemen' loosely, Ed Orgeron), Lane Kiffin makes more bad decisions than Amy Winehouse in Amsterdam. Coach Kiffin says he does all these things to get attention to the University of Tennessee; well Lane, you know who else has a lot of attention? Britney Spears.

"The way you’re running your program, you make the Octo-mom look responsible. Do you even think before you say things? You’re like Les Miles without all the restraint and forethought.

"Steve Spurrier probably thought I forgot him too. That's because most of us did. He's in the back, hiding in the shadows. Which is appropriate, I guess, since he is one of his former self.

"Steve misses the '90s more than Fred Durst and dot.com stocks. Poor old Steve doesn’t see double-digit wins in Columbia unless it’s across the sidelines when Florida comes to town.

"You’ve made more bad career moves than Lindsay Lohan. But most of us can see you just coach now so you’ll have something to do in between rounds of golf.

"In fact, I think Steve is itching to get to his tee time, so I have to get out of here.

"Thanks for letting me make fun of my favorite conference, and good night."

By the way, no actual feelings were hurt during the making of this roast, except maybe my own with that Joe Pa joke. I love the guy; I hope he coaches for another 20 years. That was the only joke I thought that teetered on the line, and I debated on whether or not to cut it. But he is old, and I did call him a legend.

Yeah, that's right—Hitler, bestiality, segregation all fine; Joe Paterno's mortality offended my delicate sensibilities. Go figure.

Tiger Tangents: "Back to Mediocrity" Just Doesn't Play at LSU

Justin Goar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:27:30 -0400

(The following is not just pointed at Alabama fans but at all opposing fans who employ the same mindset.)

My hardcore LSU fandom started in the '90s. I was more of a Saints fan growing up. There were a few years there in my pre-teens where I could tell you every player on the Saints, his jersey number, and where he went to college.

While I kept up with LSU in kind of a Sunday morning headline kind of way, my heart was in the NFL and with a team that seemed to treat my heart like a flaming bag of dog poop.

Arnsparger, Archer, Hilliard, Hodson, Sugar Bowls, Earthquakes, Pigs Fly Over Alabama; these were all just words with no real meaning associated with that team I cheered for on Saturday to pass the time until Sundays. And with no pro basketball team in New Orleans, I reserved my LSU love for basketball.

Then when I was 18, I headed off to college at that purple and gold university that once garnered secondary affection from me. My first game as a student was a hard-fought loss to Texas A&M, and even in that loss, the atmosphere hooked me.

There was a passion there that was different from the NFL.

At the time, LSU didn't field a team that matched the passion of its fans. Curley Hallman wore out his welcome much before 1994, but that season was the nail in the coffin. When you hire a coach from Southern Miss and then a few years later he loses at home to the school you hired him from, it's probably not going to end well.

Things were different then. Now, students need to enter a lottery to get tickets. When I was a freshman, you could pick up tickets for Saturday's game on Friday afternoon on your way to class. There was usually a table set up outside the union. I hardly had to break my stride to get them.

That may have been my first "Back in my day..." story. Ouch, really, I'm not that old.

But LSU football quickly became a part of me, and I lived and died by a somewhat above average LSU team during my college years. Gerry DiNardo was hired my sophomore year, and LSU fans who were thirsty for anything that resembled success were rewarded with a bowl in 1995.

The Independence Bowl.

People camped out for tickets for that game—and not like 10 people. Thousands spent the night in sleeping bags and lawn chairs, playing poker and drinking. To go to the Independence Bowl...which is played in Shreveport, might I remind you.

Okay, I was one of those people.

We were absolutely ecstatic to be headed to a bowl. A 7-4-1 season, and we were thrilled. Well, I was anyway. You know...the Saints fan. I didn't have much success in my rooting history at that point.

Allow me to fast-forward through my college years, through more bowl games, beating a No. 5 Auburn team, a No. 1-ranked Florida team, and so on. DiNardo had two more good years before two really bad ones.

DiNardo got talent to Baton Rouge but couldn't put it together on gameday (and stayed loyal to some assistants he probably shouldn't have) and was finally shown the door.

The time following that most are familiar with, because to most people outside of LSU that I hear from, there are only two times: before Nick Saban and after him.

By listening to others, you would think LSU was a wasteland for college football, devoid of tradition and success before the year 2000.

For those that feel this way, this article is more or less pointed at you.

Alabama fans seem to like the phrase "back to mediocrity" when pontificating over their desired destination for LSU football in general. It's a phrase that makes me cringe in its smug ignorance.

Allow me to try to understand where the Bama fans are coming from. Maybe if you have 12 national championships (or however many they claim), anything less is a bad thing.

Well, let's go to the numbers, shall we?

Below are the decade rankings for LSU and Alabama. You'll see without including the '90s that LSU after the year 1930 (because 1930 is even probably too far to go back, but I'm trying to provide you with history) averaged out right at the No. 10 overall.

Does being consistently ranked around No. 10 for decades and decades (save for one) equal mediocrity?

I would hope not.

LSU

Period

Rank

Total

Points

Win. Pct.

Points

Schedule

Points

Nat. Champs

Points

Big 4 Bowl

Points

1930-1939	12	717.75	350.49	337.26	0.00	30.00
1940-1949	10	776.47	306.70	434.77	0.00	35.00
1950-1959	11	796.22	278.30	442.91	50.00	25.00
1960-1969	8	856.41	366.82	414.59	0.00	75.00
1970-1979	11	763.22	331.20	412.02	0.00	20.00
1980-1989	18	746.74	312.50	404.24	0.00	30.00
1990-1999	42	622.71	241.15	381.56	0.00	0.00
2000-2008	3	903.11	384.62	358.49	100.00	60.00

Alabama

Period

Rank

Total

Points

Win. Pct.

Points

Schedule

Points

Nat. Champs

Points

Big 4 Bowl

Points

1930-1939	2	896.47	428.95	327.52	100.00	40.00
1940-1949	8	802.03	365.59	371.44	0.00	65.00
1950-1959	25	704.65	254.63	425.02	0.00	25.00
1960-1969	1	1062.55	418.18	399.37	150.00	95.00
1970-1979	1	1103.93	431.25	422.68	150.00	100.00
1980-1989	11	804.38	358.33	411.05	0.00	35.00
1990-1999	12	799.74	337.40	387.34	50.00	25.00
2000-2008	31	652.13	287.61	354.51	0.00	10.00

Info provided by www.collegefootballdatawarehouse.com

Actually, if you average the Tide's decade ranking in the same way I did LSU's (taking out their worst decade ranking, which is the current decade), their average is No. 8—just two spots ahead of mediocre, it would seem.

Amongst the all-time winningest programs, Alabama ranks No. 6. On a list that includes 119 teams (sorry Hilltoppers), what's "mediocre?"

60?

40?

30?

No, 12 apparently.

Twelve is mediocre because that's where LSU is ranked.

So let's review and clarify.

I, as an LSU fan, would not win an argument saying that LSU has more success than Alabama. Championships (National and SEC) speak for themselves. Also, the all-time head to head for LSU-Bama is still lopsided (23-44-5).

Although it's still a more subjective topic, I would even say Alabama gets the nod on tradition and such over the Tigers.

But downplaying LSU's own tradition, history, and success is an exercise of the ignorant.

Anyone can think (and wish) LSU's time in the spotlight will be over soon. I can argue otherwise, but none of us really knows what will happen in the future.

What we do know is what has actually happened in the past are facts—whether we choose to ignore them or not.

There are probably about 100 schools that would trade football history and tradition with Alabama. But to say that number wouldn't be the same or close to the number of schools that would do the same with LSU is shortsightedly dismissive.

I am as proud of LSU's past as I am its present and hope to continue the same sense of pride in the future.

Everyone has their Hallmans and their Mike Shulas, and no one wants to be defined by them.

Tiger Tangents: A Look Ahead to Week One in the SEC

Justin Goar — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:14:34 -0400

September's a long way away. But it will get here, and when it does there will be much rejoicing.

I thought it's really never to early to take a peek at the SEC matchups on the slate for the month of September. And maybe if I visualize them they will get here sooner. Right?

Sept. 5

Game of the Week

Alabama vs. Virginia Tech

At first glance, Alabama, coming off a 12-win season in 2008 might be poised to deliver a Hokie beatdown a la LSU in 2007 but as Lou Holtz's son Lee Corso says, "Not so fast my friend."

I don't think this game will be the clinic it was for Clemson a year ago. Frank Beamer and Bud Foster know their D and so does Nick Saban. You may think 10-10 halftime game is boring, but you'd be overlooking two defenses brutally punishing the opposing offense. The scoreboard might not get lit up in this one but anyone brave enough to be around the ball might.

I like the Tide in this one, but if I were a fan of the Red Elephants, I would worry about breaking in a new quarterback and some other key positions on the O-line against the defense the caliber of VT's. Of course, it's not like the SEC doesn't know their defense.

I hope this ends up a better game than the last two times the SEC met the ACC in the Georgia Dome (Bama vs. Clemson, LSU vs. Georgia Tech).

Be sure to check out...

Georgia at Oklahoma State

New UGA QB Joe Cox will be charged with moving the ball against the Cowboys. The boys from Stillwater are no strangers to moving the ball themselves with guys like Dez Bryant and Kendall Hunter.

This is a huge game for Oklahoma State. A win against a team the caliber of the Bulldogs would be a great step for the program. Maybe a step to "the next level."

I always like to see games that pit the SEC against neighbor conferences like the ACC and Big 12 (oops, I meant the Big XII).

We'll see if the Georgia defense can right the ship in which should be a cross conference thriller.

Hidden Gem

LSU at Washington

Ok, hear me out. Maybe this won't be much of a game when the Bayou Bengals head to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Huskies who were winless last year. But LSU will be starting a sophomore quarterback with minimal experience and breaking in new defensive coordinator John Chavis. Even though Jordan Jefferson may be a step in the right direction from Jarrett Lee last season and John Chavis certainly couldn't do any more harm than the co-coordinator experiment from a season ago they're still new. Right?

But seriously, one of my favorite things in the world is late night college football. There really isn't anything better than spending a whole day tailgating, watching football, and just when you think it's over, bam ... more football.

That's the role this game will fill on the first weekend as this one will kick off at 10:30 p.m. EST.

Don't Bother...

Charleston Southern @ Florida

Last year the Buccaneers scored 36 TD's during the entire season. This year, Florida may do almost one-third of that in this game. The good news for Gator fans is you get to tailgate and probably raise some kind of banner for some game y'all won last year. So have fun with that.

Also, you'll get a good look at your three-deep offense and defense. Buy a program.

Tiger Tangents: News and Tidbits 5/18/09

Justin Goar — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:03:12 -0400

LSU Honors the Greats

Athletic Director Joe Alleva announced that LSU will retire the jersey of football great Tommy Cassanova. Cassanova is the only three-time All American in LSU football history. If you've heard about guys that have gone both ways on the field, Cassanova went three ways: offense, defense, and special teams as a returner.

Primarily known for his skills as a defensive back, Cassanova spent six years in the NFL with the Bengals. His jersey will be retired but his No. 37 will not so players in the future can still don that number. Billy Cannon's No. 20 remains the only retired number on the football squad.

Along with Cassanova in football, LSU also retired the jerseys of Rudy Macklin in basketball and pitcher Ben McDonald in baseball. Besides Cannon, the only other LSU numbers retired and therefore not to be worn by present or future student athletes are Skip Bertman's No. 15 in baseball and a trio of basketball players: Bob Petit's No. 50, Pete Maravich's No. 23, and Shaquille O'Neal's No. 33.

Football Attrition

Linebacker Shomari Clemons is leaving the Tiger football team as announced by the LSU Athletic Department late last week. Official reasons were not given, but Clemons is expecting to transfer due to being buried on the depth chart.

Clemons signed in 2006 originally but did not academically qualify. He then officially signed in with the freshman class of 2007 after qualifying.

Clemons was suspended from the team in spring 2008 over a misdemeanor charge in which he had a run-in with a police officer.

Kelvin Sheppard, Ryan Baker, Harry Coleman, Jacob Cutrera, Kevin Minter, Ace Foyil, and Perry Riley are all competing for time at linebacker. Also in the mix are incoming freshman Tahj Jones, Lamin Barrow, and the awesomely moniker-ed Barkevious Mingo.

The Economy Affects All...

LSU might be looking to add to the number of in-state universities it trounces on the football field. Associate Athletic Director Verge Ausberry told Gannett News that LSU might be looking at McNeese State to fill a vacancy in 2011 or 2012. The FCS power has played at North Carolina, Miami, and Nebraska in the last decade.

However, with budget cuts coming through the state (including its universities), LSU's athletic department may have to cut some corners including not paying as much for cupcake slots on the schedule as it once did. LSU pays Tulane $850,000 for their trip to Tiger Stadium this year. The school's payout to a school like McNeese, which is based in Lake Charles, La., would be less than half of that.

This probably won't be welcome news to fans, who'd rather see Florida States and Notre Dames on the schedule over inferior schools, in-state or otherwise.

Tiger Tangents: Tales from the Stands, Pt. 1

Justin Goar — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:13:27 -0400

In such a slow time of year for college football, I hearken back to my college days for memories of football seasons' past. Here are three that popped into my head first.

1. My first LSU road trip ever was to College Station to take on the Texas A&M Aggies in 1995. Man, that place is weird. It's like a state funded summer camp/cult.

The game was forgettable, though, as the Aggies rushed all over LSU that day for the victory. One thing I'll always remember, though, is that it was hot. Really hot. The scoreboard showed the temp on the field at 113 degrees. It was barely better in the stands. The humidity didn't help.

While my friends and I tried to cheer our team on, there was a break in the action. At that point, an LSU fan with no shirt on and a painted purple letter "S" on his chest dejectedly walked up the stands to his seat. The letter was fading from the sweat, but it was apparent this guy was part of a set of three letters.

A voice in the visitor section blurted out, "Hey 'S,' you missing a couple of friends? Where's 'L' and 'U'??"

He shrugged his shoulders and replied back, "'L' and 'U' got arrested."

It made me sad and proud at the same time.

2. The 1997 game with Auburn was a great one. No. 10 LSU vs. No. 12 Auburn in what was becoming a great series since LSU stole the previous two games. AU started the game with a 14-0 lead before LSU stormed back to tie it.

RB Cecil Collins had a fantastic night during the see-saw battle that ended heartbreakingly for LSU 31-28.

That was a tough loss for me. I hated that we lost that one. It stung badly and I knew it was going to be a long night of second-guessing and thinking of what could've been.

I was in the student section that night with friends, and as we slowly filed towards the exits, I saw a big mountain of a person sitting alone by himself hunched over.

He was huge; he probably could've helped block for Cecil that night. He had his head in is his hands, and this guy was just weeping. Weeping like he just lost a loved one, or like he got taken for everything in a divorce, or weeping like it's his first night in Shawshank.

Anyway, as we passed by him, my buddy whispered, "He must have bet a testicle on this game."

He was weeping like a guy who was going to be de-testicled. That was the simile I was going for.

I don't know if it was sympathy for that guy or what, but suddenly I didn't feel so bad that we lost. To this day, I can't shake from my memory the pure heartache that emanated from this beast of a man. And if someone were to ask me what pure sadness looked like, I would tell them this story.

3. In 1996, the Tigers headed to Atlanta to the Peach Bowl to face Clemson. We had some great seats for this game as we sat right in front of some die-hard Clemson fans. Everyone else around us were just guys with corporate tickets from their local businesses in Atlanta. No one really seemed that fired up or was donning either of the schools' colors.

The Clemson fans were a little bit older than us but very friendly guys. The cool thing about a bowl game was that they sold alcohol. We decided that since both groups of us were drinking, we'd make the game a little more interesting. We all agreed to buy a round for the opposite team when they scored.

I am by nature not a guy who would EVER bet on or against his own team. I just can't do it. But I figured since we were doing it as a group and we felt confident we were going to win anyway, I didn't see the harm.

So the game was soon to start and we all looked forward to beer and football. We were very excited because the only thing better than beer is free beer. But alas, the football gods cared not for our drinking plans.

The game was an offensive clunker. The final score ended up being 10-7 LSU. By the third quarter, we were starting to make bets on whoever gives up a first down buys a round. Or penalty on your team, buy us a drink. But it wasn't the same.

I haven't bet on my team since, friendly wager or not.

Tiger Tangents: A Quick Look at LSU's 2010 Recruiting

Justin Goar — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:34:54 -0400

It seems like players commit earlier and earlier each year. Some players want to assure themselves a spot on a team, and some want the recruiting circus to be over or slow down. (Hint: The phone calls, emails, and such from other schools don't stop most of the time, however.)

Yesterday, LSU pulled in their ninth commitment for the 2010 class with the verbal of Justin Hunter, a 6'4" WR from Virginia Beach, Va.

Hunter is a much sought after wideout. He was also offered by Florida, Ohio State, Alabama, and Tennessee. Scouts compare him to Georgia's A.J. Green. He's tall, lanky, and athletic. He's a playmaker that is great in the open field after a catch and has great awareness in his timing and his adjustments when the ball is in the air.

Here's a look at the verbal commitments to Les Miles' 2010 football recruiting class:

WR Mike Davis Dallas, Tx.

WR Justin Hunter Virginia Beach, Va.

TE Nick Jacobs Many, La.

ATH Tharold Simon Eunice, La.

FB Brandon Worle LaGrange, Ga.

LB D.J. Welter Crowley, La.

S Eric Reid Geismar, La.

T Jermarcus Hardrick Batesville, Ms.

LB/S Luke Muncie Klein, Tx.

Hunter, Davis, Jacobs, Welter, and Reid are all on ESPN's Top 150 list. Hardrick is a JUCO commit.

More than ever before, LSU has ventured out of state to grab players. In recent years, Miles has established some footing in east Texas, south Florida, and Georgia.

With some of the best athletic and training facilities in the country, a state of the art academic center for athletes, a campus experience like no other, and being home to a football powerhouse, Baton Rouge remains an attractive destination to many top recruits.

The most important thing for a prospect to take into consideration when making his decision is where he feels the most comfortable. Feeling at ease with his coaches and future teammates, being given a fair shot to see the field, and playing close to home are also some factors that may come into play when prospects ponder their college of choice.

Les Miles brought in a top three class in 2009 and has a great start in making a big splash in 2010.

Tiger Tangents: Grading the SEC APR Style

Justin Goar — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:17:57 -0400

The APR reports are out or the Academic Progress Reports for those of you that forgot that college athletes should actually be getting an education as well as playing football. Plus it's nice when they graduate. When I saw the list, and where LSU was slotted I thought we'd take a little quiz today. No cheating!!!

It's simple, I'll give you an SEC school and you tell me whether they did better or worse than LSU in football APR. This may be tougher than you think.

Arkansas

Well I had to toss you a softball. Arkansas scored a 927 but that wasn't in the same ball park as the Tigers. Worse.

Ole Miss

Actually it's not good news for the Rebels who scored a 910, well off the mark for the required 925 and the worst mark in the SEC. Worse.

Vanderbilt

No trick question here. With a score of 969, Vandy scored higher than LSU. But they weren't the highest scoring school in the SEC. (Better)

South Carolina

Nope, the Gamecocks made it past 925 but just barely at 929. (Worse)

Tennessee

The Vols didn't catch the Tigers here scoring a 949. (Worse)

But they tied with

Auburn

Those other Tigers however just beat out...... (Worse)

Kentucky

The Wildcats just finishing a shade under the Vols and Plainsmen with a 948. (Worse)

Florida

The Gators finished just three points ahead of LSU and hop skip and a jump away from Vandy's score. (Better)

Mississippi State

The Bulldogs have bragging rights over the Rebs in this score column but not LSU with a 933. (Worse)

Alabama

The Tide rolls in with a 955 which is better than Auburn but not LSU. (Worse)

Georgia

Last on this list is definitely not the least, in fact, the Dawgs had the best APR score in the conference with a 976 which tied for eighth best in the country with Penn State. (Better)

The schools that beat out UGA for the top spot in descending order: Stanford, Air Force, Rutgers, Duke, Rice, Navy, and Miami.

LSU was 23rd in the country with a 960. Just three points behind that darn Tulane Green Wave.

It's nice to not be near the bottom of the list for once.

Tiger Tangents: An '09 Sneak Peek at The LSU Wide Receivers

Justin Goar — Wed, 06 May 2009 22:32:30 -0400

It's tough to be a WR sometimes.

The Tiger WR's had to endure a a rough 2008. With no real passing threat during the season including the threat of playing defense more than they liked due to interceptions, it wasn't a banner year.

Senior Brandon Lafell skipped early entry into the NFL draft to try to improve his 63 catch 929 yard campaign from a year ago. After Lafell though there was a drop off in go to guys.

Or maybe Lafell's success was the problem.

LSU QB's zeroing in on Lafell and no one else. It was no secret that Demetrius Byrd was a little less than happy with the lack of looks he was getting from the QB's. It was nothing personal of course and much more of a lack of comfort and development from the LSU signal callers who lack the awareness to progress through their reads.

Things look up a bit at quarterback in '09 with everyone gaining a year of experience and the emergence of Jordan Jefferson at QB1. Hand in hand with that will be the performance of the wideouts.

We start with Lafell who has sick speed. Lafell can burn you but over his time at LSU has become a better route runner. His biggest inconsistency may be his hands which aren't bad as they are inconsistent. His biggest strides were made from his sophomore to his junior season when the mercurial #1 seemed to hold to haul in more catches without drops.

Also while he was seen as more of a slot guy his first two years Lafell, whose nickname is "Jo Jo", proved he could bring in balls between the hash marks in traffic last season. He will without a doubt be the top option at this position.

Even though Jared and Chris Mitchell are seniors, they are coming off a paltry season where they combined for just 17 catches. They may not be able to counted on in the production department but bring a wealth of experience to the position.

Terrence Tolliver was supposed to have his breakout season last year. It didn't happen. The 6'4" junior has the size and the hands but Tiger fans are hoping he can bring the mental part of his game around in '09. He shows flashes of brilliance but in '08 they were just that...flashes. All signs point to #80 showing his stuff in 2009.

R.J. Jackson is a converted running back who hopes to move up the depth chart in his senior season. There's been a precedent at LSU with tailbacks turned receivers with Josh Reed and Devery Henderson who both play on Sundays now. Jackson has a long way to go and will have to pack quite a number of highlights in his last collegiate season to follow in those footsteps.

My pick/kiss of death for this year's breakout player is Tim Molton. Wait, who? Coaches love this kid and he is practicing his way onto the field and he may be hard to keep on the bench in '09. You don't see many #43's lined up out wide but at 6'3" and 175 lbs he looks the part. Molton has great work ethic and is becoming hard to cover because of his size and agility. Catching everything that comes his way isn't hurting his cause either. I really like this guy to make some noise in '09 if he's given the chance.

Redshirt freshman Chris Tolliver wants to prove why he was so highly recruited two years ago. Tolliver has decent size at 6'1" and needs to see the field in order to prove he can be a top flight receiver.

Speaking of guys who were highly recruited, freshman Rueben Randle will probably figure into the mix in '09. He won't make it on to campus until the fall and learning the system may hinder him at first, but Randle looks to be a big time threat for years to come much in the same mold of Julio Jones at Alabama.

This squad will have a lot to prove in 2009. With Lafell being the only player with a great season behind him, this group will have to grow up quickly. But with a good mix of seniority and skills, the Tiger receiving corps may be the difference between a good season for LSU and a great one.

Tiger Tangents: Revisiting the Tiger Oath

Justin Goar — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:02:13 -0400

I don't usually recycle my work, but while Googling this past weekend I came across something I wrote about four years ago in a really weird place. Back then I just started writing for tigerreport.com (don't bother going it's gone now) a website that I bought shortly after starting to write for it. I was running my own site at the time tigerfanz.net (yeah, that one's not around either) and I consider what happened to me to be my first brush with semi notoriety.

I wrote what I called "A Tiger Fan's Oath" and it really took off. Someone copied and pasted it into email and then it got a second life. I received it from at least four people who had no idea I wrote it.

It's possible one of my aunts forwarded to me and said something like, "I saw this and thought of you."

It was somewhat gratifying to say, "That makes sense because I wrote it."

But the funniest thing was how much I've changed in the four years since I wrote it. For me, my Tigers winning two National Championships in five years was definitely "catching the rabbit."

I've become much more complacent in my fandom. I don't take losses nearly as hard as I used to and I'm not sure if that has to do with success or the perspective gained through growing up. Maybe it's both.

So now I present to you an absolute must for all LSU fans, "The Tiger Oath", back in its 2005 glory with maybe some flippant comments in italics from present me.

I ________________ solemnly swear to do the following in 2005(or insert present year here) to ensure that I remain a member of the most passionate, intimidating, and sometimes scary fan base known to man.

I agree to DO the following:

I will always cheer for LSU in sound levels that would make a banshee proud…. and deaf. I will agree to do this whether in Tiger Stadium, at an opposing stadium, in front of a TV, at a bar/restaurant, or at a friend’s/family member’s wedding/funeral with strategically placed ear phones.

Do you get it? We're loud.

I will wear purple and gold to games. I will NOT, however, under any circumstances wear purple and gold camouflage on overalls, pants, or hats…..EVER. (You do indeed still have to wear pants, I’m talking to you, Livingston Parish!)

Ahhh regional humor.

Speaking of not wearing camouflage overalls, don’t wear overalls at all. If that’s all you own, you might need to examine the fact that you might be a Mississippi St. fan or a member of Dexy’s Midnight Runners.

Nothing says 2005 like a Dexy's Midnight Runners reference, who's with me?!!!!

I will continue to tailgate in a way that is representative of my school’s perennial National Champions of Tailgating title. This means good food, lots of alcohol, and great people.

I don't feel like I need to add to this although I do think it's nice to have other schools recognized for tailgating every year. It would be boring to just award tailgating titles to LSU fans every year based strictly on merit.

When tailgating, I will not devote more time to a centerpiece than I do for preparing food. If this is the case, I might as well become an Ole Miss fan. They are big believers of style without substance.

Ouch. Wow, the old me didn't pull any punches. I must be a pretty brave guy going after both schools in Mississippi before I'm half way done. I'm not that petty anymore, these days I'd go after both schools in Alabama.

I will invite visiting fans to our tailgate spot and give them a hard time before taking them in as one of our own, feeding them, and getting them drunk.

Some things never change.

I will NOT act in a way that promotes the negative stereotype that LSU has bad fans. (no joke here, treat other as you want to be treated, I’m serious.)

Aww look it's the serious me. See the way I capitalize the whole word "NOT". Tremble in the face of my implied emphasis.

I will NOT boo our players while at games. I can boo college coaches and NFL players and coaches but NOT college kids. Remember, if they don’t receive a paycheck, I can’t boo them. I can, however, boo Alabama players because they all get paid.

See what I did there? It was funnier in '05 I think.

I will not leave a game before the five min. mark in the fourth qtr unless LSU is up by 21 or more, and I/someone with me is: vomiting, bleeding, and/or stricken with hysterical blindness. Beating traffic is not a viable excuse until I reach age 40.

Um, how about the age of 33?? Man, I talked a big game in my 20's. I was also not married and childless at this point in my life. Now I leave when I allow my wife to tell me when to leave.

I will continue to believe that Mike the Tiger’s roaring before a game has everything to do with his school spirit and nothing to do with a human in a tiger costume that Mike can’t stand.

I'm pouring my 40 oz. out right now for Mike V may he rest in peace. That dude hated humans in mascot form, trust me. Mike VI is pleasantly unaware and would rather just intimidate you with his sheer size instead of resorting to raising his voice.

I will stop trying to start a wave. Waves are for soccer fans.

Some things will always be true. The wave sucks. My wife loves the wave. It's a point of contention.

I will cheer for our team on offense but only when the play is over, the team needs to be able to hear when in the huddle and when lining up for the snap. On defense, I will constantly scream at the top of my lungs, like a nine year old running from Neverland Ranch.

I really always take the easy route on a punchline. It's shameless.

Signed:___________________

Ok, you’re good for another year. Go Tigers!

Let's face it, I've written cheesier stuff than this but maybe not by much. For some reason it caught on and struck a nerve with LSU fans. See ya next time!

Tiger Tangents: LSU-Washington to Tangle Under the Lights on ESPN

Justin Goar — Sat, 02 May 2009 14:08:53 -0400

It was announced by ESPN that the flagship network will televise the LSU Tigers as they travel west to take on the Washington Huskies on Sept. 5 in what will be the season opener for both schools.

The game will be broadcast at 7:30 PM Pacific time, meaning a very late 9:30 start in the Central time zone. Of course, for LSU fans both heading to Seattle and watching from home, a night kickoff is never a bad thing.

The contest will feature a rebuilding Husky program under Steve Sarkisian pitted against a hungry LSU squad coming off a disappointing '08 campaign.

One bright spot for Washington is QB Jake Locker, who had a fantastic spring. His LSU counterpart Jordan Jefferson also had a stellar spring, which indicated the sophomore QB may be coming into his own.

It's likely though that this game will be centered on LSU's running attack, namely Charles Scott and the Huskies' ability to stop him. On top of that, it will be the new-look LSU defense under John Chavis that will attempt to neutralize Locker and company.

Of course, anyone can tell you these are two programs with a bit of a talent disparity right now. But the first game of the season can bring quite a bit of unknowns into play, and I wouldn't be surprised for this game to be closer than most think.

This out of conference matchup is the front end of a home and home between the two schools, thought to be made possible by former LSU chancellor and now Washington chancellor Mark Emmert.

Emmert was the football-friendly silent partner in the emergence of the LSU football program under Nick Saban. The Huskies will repay the visit in Baton Rouge in September 2012.

LSU and Washington have only met once before, a year after Uncle Rico's hey-day back in '83. At the time, the unranked Tigers took on the No. 9 Huskies in Baton Rouge. LSU dismantled U Dub 40-14.

LSU holds an all-time 12-3 record against teams from the Pac-10.

This is the first official announcement of the Tigers playing a nationally televised game in 2009, which looks to be the first of many. LSU played on national television 10 times in 2008.

Tiger Tangents | More LSU Tigers Headed to NFL

Justin Goar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:47:01 -0400

In what's become a rite of spring in recent years, the LSU Tigers send another crop of former players to replenish the NFL talent pool. Leading the way was defensive end Tyson Jackson who was drafted third overall by the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs who made NFL'ers out of WR Dwayne Bowe and DT Glenn Dorsey the past two seasons have now taken an LSU Tiger with their last three first round draft picks.

Jackson will try to aid in the Chiefs rebuilding project which has focused primarily on the line in the last few years. They've even changed schemes going from a 4-3 to a 3-4 this season.

The Chiefs have helped make LSU history as Tyson Jackson is the third player in as many years to go top five for the Tigers. Dorsey was a top five pick last season and the Raiders picked QB JaMarcus Russell first overall in 2007.

Of all the Tigers drafted this season, Jackson seems to have the best pro career in front of him. He has the tools, size, and drive to be a solid defensive player for years to come. Jackson has a great first step and the quickness of an accomplished pass rusher but the fundamentals, strength, and presence to stop the run. He's the ideal strong side end.

It took a while for more Tigers to come off the board but but they came in bunches at the end of the draft. Two other Tigers who could have solid pro careers are fullback Quinn Johnson and OL Herman Johnson who both went in the fifth round.

Quinn Johnson is a battering ram in the backfield who should fit in nicely in Green Bay, while the 6'7" 370 lb Big Herm will get a chance to join the defending NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals where he'll join former Tiger WR Early Doucet who was drafted by the Cards a year ago.

Speaking of heading out west, the rest of the Tiger draftees did just that. Safety Curtis Taylor was selected in the seventh by the San Francisco 49ers. Joining Curtis in San Francisco was junior DE/DT Ricky Jean Francois who was picked towards the end of the draft.

WR Demetrius Byrd was taken in the seventh round as well by the Chargers despite being in a serious car accident just a week ago. D-Byrd is expected to make a full recovery and will join fellow Tiger WR Craig Buster Davis in San Diego.

Many Tigers also signed free agent contracts today as well. Ending up in San Diego with Byrd is linebacker and Baton Rouge native Darry Beckwith. Marlon "Big Fave" Favorite brings his services and lyrical skills to the Carolina Panthers.

Defensive end Tremaine Johnson signed with the Minnesota Vikings making him the third Tiger named Johnson to find his way to the NFL in the past 48 hours.

The Tigers sent yet another DE to an NFL team when Kirston Pittman signed with the St. Louis Rams. Finally, center Brett Helms landed in Houston to help beef up the Texans' offensive line making him the 11th Tiger to end up in the NFL after this past NFL Draft weekend.

Former Tiger New Team

DE Tyson Jackson Kansas City Chiefs

FB Quinn Johnson Green Bay Packers

OG Herman Johnson Arizona Cardinals

FS Curtis Taylor San Francisco 49ers

WR Demetrius Byrd San Diego Chargers

DE Ricky Jean Francois San Francisco 49ers

LB Darry Beckwith San Diego Chargers

DT Marlon Favorite Carolina Panthers

C Brett Helms Houston Texans

DE Tremaine Johnson Minnesota Vikings

DE Kirston Pittman St. Louis Rams

Tiger Tangents: My Favorite Gift

Justin Goar — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 13:24:16 -0400

I’m not really a memorabilia collector. I never have been. I have a bunch of LSU T-shirts but that’s about it. I may have tucked away some important souvenirs from the ’03 Championship and maybe the ’07 one, but let me tell you a story about the coolest gift I ever got from my favorite person in the world.

It was December 2004, The Tigers were one year removed from their first National Championship since 1958. It was an exciting time for me, because I had just asked my wife to marry me. She said yes, by the way.

A couple of weeks later, Christmas arrived. I was 28, and Christmas at this point had evolved as it does for everyone. It’s no longer about the magical feel of the season and getting presents. It becomes more about seeing family and maybe getting the things you need like socks or underwear. It’s not bad, it’s just different when you think back to that feeling you got as a child on Christmas morning when that present you’ve wanted shows up under the tree.

Now let’s flashback a bit about a month earlier in November 2004. My buddy Ross kept repeating the same thing to me every time he saw me…

“Your girlfriend is awesome.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Just trust me, you’re a lucky man.”

I know he was stating the obvious but there was something behind his words that sparked my curiosity.

I couldn’t help asking myself, “What did she do?”

What she did was get me the best Christmas present I’ve gotten in a long time. She got me an authentic LSU Football helmet as a gift.

But that wasn’t all. Her plans were grander than just the helmet. She went to the site of Nick Saban’s weekly radio show, got there extra early, sat there patiently waiting to get close to the coach and get him to sign my helmet which eventually he did. Now that’s just love, people.

Fast forwarding back to Christmas morning 2004. It was a good Christmas that year and I had all I ever really needed because I got to spend it with family and I was newly engaged. But this year provided me with a little lagniappe. (Look it up if you’re not from Louisiana.)

My fiancée presented me with a box. I had no idea what rested inside. Now I don’t know how women feel when they get an engagement ring. I think it’s something they always dream about along with thoughts of their wedding day but after I opened the box I think my feelings were pretty similar.

Seeing the helmet signed by Coach Saban brought me back to that feeling of being a kid again. I think I was smiling ear to ear. We actually have a picture out there somewhere of the both of us showing off our newest prized possessions. She extended her hand forward advertising her ring finger and I did the same although at the end of my hand was an autographed LSU football helmet.

It was truly a Festivus miracle.

Now let’s fast forward to a few weeks ago. My friends have asked me that since the ’07 Championship if I would attempt to get the helmet signed by Les Miles. I want to but haven’t had the opportunity just yet. But two weeks ago I had the chance to decorate the helmet further and jumped on the chance.

The helmet is now adorned with another National Championship coach’s John Hancock. Paul Deitzel signed my helmet and added “1958 National Champions” right under it.

And that wasn’t all, joining Deitzel was LSU’s only Heisman trophy winner Billy Cannon who signed his name and his #20 which is the only number LSU has retired in football.

So now my last piece of the puzzle is Les Miles. If I can get him to sign I’d have all three National Championship coaches and LSU’s only Heisman winner right there on the best present a Tiger fan could get from his fiancée.

I’ll leave you today with the small exchange I had with the two Tiger greats. When I got to the signing table Coach Dietzel (who looks amazing for an 84 year old by the way) was flanked by Cannon and quarterback of the ’58 team Warren Rabb. Coach Dietzel is almost 14 years older than Cannon and Rabb has considerably more hair than those two gentlemen.

Dr. Cannon was remarking about that very follicular inequity to the coach and his fellow player when I walked up so I said the only thing I could think of without sounding stupid. (And maybe I failed).

I told Coach Dietzel, “I thought the coaches were the ones that were supposed to lose the hair not the players?”

Coach just looked up and smiled before Dr. Cannon said, “It doesn’t always work that way.”

It’s not everyday you get to meet living legends and make no mistake, in LSU lore, it doesn’t get much bigger than these guys. While I wasn’t alive in 1958, actually meeting these men who I have been taught to revere brought me right back to that Christmas feeling; even if it was just the beginning of April.

Tiger Tangents: Drafting the All Time LSU Spring Game

Justin Goar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:21:31 -0400

In my last column I wrote about the fact that LSU's spring game has no imagination. It's basically the 1's and 2's pounding the 3's and scout team into the ground. It wasn't so long ago coaching staffs were split and asked to draft a squad from their roster of players. I thought about how much fun that would be for the coaches. So with LSU's Spring game now a thing of the past and the NFL Draft coming up this week, "I want to draft something!!!"

So that is what I and resident LSU writer Dale Weaver set out to do. The rules were simple, we set the roster positions and then we drafted over email over the course of a couple of days. I drafted the White Squad and Dale the Purple Squad. This was an all time draft so no current players. By the way you can check out Dale's take on LSU's Spring Game this past Saturday here.

This was a labor of love for the two of us that had highs (basically drafting anything is fun) and lows (LSU doesn't really have a tradition of Strong safeties so a Media Guide was a must).

I'd like to point out that somehow my three favorite LSU players growing up (Eric Martin, Dalton Hilliard, and Wendell Davis) all ended up on Dale's squad. My squad has a Heisman winner and an NFL Hall of Famer and Dale's Purple team has the most decorated player in LSU history. Dale smashes me in the nickname matchup as he has a Booger, a Nacho, a Blue, a Putt, and a Diesel on his team.

For you LSU/SEC/College Football fanatics, we'd love to hear your feedback about matchups, whose team would win, and other fantasy scenarios.

White Team (Justin)

QB JaMarcus Russell

QB Y.A. Tittle

QB Matt Mauck

RB Billy Cannon

RB Charles Alexander

RB Jimmy Taylor

RB Joseph Addai

WR Josh Reed

WR Eddie Kennsion

WR Michael Clayton

WR Early Doucet

WR Devery Henderson

TE Brian Kinchen

TE Robert Royal

LT Lance Smith

LG Alan Faneca

C Kevin Mawae

RG Erik Andolsek

RT Bo Strange

DE Marcus Spears

DT Leonard Marshall

DT Henry Thomas

DT Chad Lavalais

DE Karl Wilson

LB Bradie James

LB Mike Anderson

LB Toby Caston

CB Eugene Daniel

CB Chris Williams

CB Chris Carrier

SS Greg Jackson

SS Steven Rehage

FS LaRon Landry

FS Johnny Robinson

K David Browndyke

P Donnie Jones

Purple Team (Dale)

QB Bert Jones

QB Tommy Hodson

QB Rohan Davey

RB Kevin Faulk

RB Dalton Hilliard

RB Cecil Collins

RB LaBrandon Toefield

WR Wendell Davis

WR Eric Martin

WR Dwayne Bowe

WR Demetrius Byrd

WR Skyler Green

TE David Lafleur

TE Keith Zinger

LT Ralph Norwood

LG Hermann Johnson

C Joseph "Nacho" Albergamo

RG Rudy Niswanger

RT Andrew Whitworth

DE Tyson Jackson

DT Glenn Dorsey

DT Anthony "Booger" McFarland

DT Kyle Williams

DE Gabe Northern

LB Trev Faulk

LB Darry Beckwith

LB Michael Brooks

CB Corey Webster

CB James Britt

CB Randall Gay

SS Jerry Stovall

SS Jessie Daniels

FS Tommy Cassanova

FS Craig Steltz

K Colt David

P Chad Kessler