West Virginia-LSU: What To Make of the Mountaineers Loss

Did West Virginia help its national image with a close 20-14 loss at LSU Saturday night?

Maybe.

But a closer look at the performance just reaffirms what many WVU fans believe, but don't like to admit: "We would have never lost that game with Rich Rodriguez coaching."

I was thinking it as I watched the game, and I feel that way even more 12 hours after the game ended in Baton Rouge.

What would have been different under Rodriguez? Here are just a few things that would have put WVU in a better position.

1. The Mountaineers would have never punted the ball to LSU's Patrick Peterson, who returned one for a 60-yard touchdown as no Mountaineers laid a hand on him.

2. When Noel Devine injured his foot and wasn't 100 percent, Rodriquez would have used him as a decoy for a series or two. But eventually he would have moved Jock Sanders or Tavon Austin into the backfield for another explosive threat.

3. WVU would have run a trick play at some point for a big gain.

4. West Virginia would have won Saturday night and provided the Big East with a signature victory over the weekend.

Instead, the Mountaineers didn't deliver. That's not an indictment of the players. No one can be upset with their overall performance in a hostile environment.

The defense played out of its collective mind. QB Geno Smith stayed composed in the face of a swarming LSU defense. Even the much-maligned offensive line did an adequate job of protecting, and that unit was missing Josh Jenkins.

So the Mountaineers should be pleased with the players. It actually shows WVU is the team to beat in the Big East right now and the Mountaineers have the ability to finish 11-1.

But does this mean Bill Stewart has job security issues? Probably not. His Mountaineers are still 3-1 and played a talented SEC team close on the road. And if they do go 11-1 how could anyone want him gone. However, there is no coach that wants to admit they were out-coached by Les Miles. Ouch!

WVU had a chance for a signature victory in one of the nation's toughest places to play. LSU's offense was inept and the Tigers committed countless penalties. But the Mountaineers got no closer than three points, and missed two make-able field goals.

Following Saturday's loss, ESPN.com reported Stewart saying, "That was a tough one to lose, and it is going to stick with me a long time."

"I do not like missing two field goals. I do not like giving up a punt return. I do not like us not handling the pressure, and I do not like being able to capitalize and trading touchdowns for turnovers. That is not funny to me."

Stewart may never live up to the standards that were set by Rodriguez (and Don Nehlen before him), but in a watered down Big East even Bill Stewart can get to 11 victories and win the league...in spite of his many flaws.