Al Davis Could Offer SEC Fans Advice

Storied Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis has his fans and his detractors, to be sure, but love him or hate him, his famous mantra of "Just win, baby!" certainly applies in this year's SEC football race.  Nearly every week, the latest loser in a key SEC matchup either blames the loss on the latest conspiracy theory, or comes up with elaborate lists of stats showing that while their team got whipped on the field, they really kinda sorta won.

But SEC fans ought to be accustomed to close, hard-fought games.  In fact, we ought to appreciate it as an SEC trademark, and one of the chief reasons our conference stands head and shoulders above the rest.  Nothing could be more pathetic than scraping around for excuses as to why your team lost, yet that's what many fans have been stooping to in the SEC this year. 

When LSU manned up on the goal line September 26th and held Mississippi State out of the end zone on four consecutive plays to preserve their 30-26 win, some fans rightfully gave credit to both teams for a great contest.  Others pointed out how weak LSU was to have to hang on at the last minute to avoid upset. 

May I remind everyone that the SEC's second-leading rusher, Anthony Dixon, was in that MSU backfield all day, and calling the shots was former Gator offensive mad scientist Dan Mullen.  LSU earned the victory in perhaps the toughest situation of all—at the goal line with time running down.  LSU just won.

When Alabama held Tennessee to 10 points, the Vols' lowest point total of the year, and then Cody overpowered half the Vol O-line to block his SECOND field goal of the day, this one to seal the Tide's victory, all we heard was how after the play was blown dead, after the clock was expired, and after the game was over, Cody removed his helmet.  As if Cody removing his helmet had anything at all to do with 'Bama beating Tennessee.  Give Tennessee credit for playing 'Bama closer than any other team this year, and give 'Bama credit for proactively winning a close one.  'Bama just won.

Because the refs blew a call in the 'Bama-LSU game, and said Peterson didn't intercept McElroy's pass with less than six minutes left in the game, many have cried that this "robbed" LSU of the win.  A few key points need to be made. 

First, LSU was not ahead at the time.  To gain the lead, they would have needed to mount a successful drive with Jarrett Lee at QB—something that they had been unable to do up to that point.  Also, they would have needed Alabama's defense to allow it, which they probably wouldn't have.  And remember, they needed a touchdown and an extra point to take the lead. 

Then, having miraculously, hypothetically gained the lead, LSU would've still had to stop 'Bama on their final possession, and all 'Bama would've needed was a field goal to win.  Tiffin's been pretty good in that area lately.  What a sad, pathetic, ridiculous stretch of the imagination to suggest this one bad call had anything more to do with the outcome than did the ref's failure to call a blatant pass interference by LSU against Julio Jones earlier in the game. 

As far as statistical analysis goes, 'Bama led LSU in first downs 24 to 13, 'Bama led in rushing yards 176 to 95, 'Bama led in passing yards 276 to 158, 'Bama led in total offense 452 to 253, and 'Bama led time of possession 32:52 to 27:08.  And yet many can't admit, 'Bama just won.

Even LSU coach Les Miles had this to say: "I know these officials are trying.  They are doing everything they can to get it right. The final score is the final score. The officials are working hard to get it right. If I felt differently, I would say so."

Finally, somebody sees the wisdom of Al Davis.  Forget the lame excuses, forget the endless statistical analysis.  When the clock expires, one stat matters, and that's the scoreboard.  Just win, baby!