Kneejerk Reaction: About Like I Expected

So LSU is 9-3. Not the best season the Tigers have had. But exactly what I expected.

Tonight's win against Arkansas almost perfectly encapsulated the season. Poor tackling, dumbfounding play calling, mediocre line play on both offense and defense, mediocre QB play, good-great special teams play, 3rd and Chavis, and Coach Miles sounding dumb while interviewed.

I am not in the coach-hater camp. I think Miles is a great recruiter and I think he runs the team well. But this team has too much talent to not challenge Bama for the West next year. So I do think Miles needs to have a 10 win season next year. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

There's an Internet full of negativitity out there. Here are some positive points to ponder.

1. LSU won all the games they should've won except Ole Miss. And they were in that game until the last second - literally.

2. LSU was never out of any game, including losses to the #1 and #2 teams in the country.

3. Stevan Ridley is clearly a valid SEC RB for next season and he is getting valuable experience this season.

4. Josh Jasper is clutch. He's back next season.

5. Jordan Jefferson heads into the post-season an SEC veteran. That is huge. And he will be pushed in the off-season by Lee and also by Chris Garrett.

6. Deangelo Peterson looks to be the next pass-catching tight end a LSU. He looks good.

Nine wins is a good season. It's as good as I expected and, when taken into context of injuries and the SEC parity this season, I think it's a great result.

Next year - different story.

For now, it's a couple weeks off and some focus on the bowl matchup.

SOAPBOX: A Fitting End. Can We Just Say No to the Chic-fil-A Bowl?

Fortunately for me, I was all but apathetic about the LSU-Arkansas game on Friday. After getting spanked by Ole Miss, the Tigers were headed to a disappointing bowl appearance, regardless of the outcome in Arkansas.

So, while I watched the entire game, and got a little excited when the Tigers actually started playing football in the second quarter, I mostly just quietly gritted my teeth for three hours.

LSU is a better football team than that putrid performance. I still believe that. I just can't prove it. Not after the last few weeks.

Porous defense, undisciplined play, terrible play calling, a freshman QB in his first start, a struggling running game, an penalties. All LSU lacked was a few ill-timed turnovers to make the tragedy more complete.

Ah, well. Thus ends the 2008 season - and it may just be fitting. The team has been leaderless all year long, and that, in my mind, is the "why" in all of this. No on-field leadership.

There are coaching problems. There are QB and secondary problems. There have been injuries.

But the critical facet of last year's team, who had all of that to deal with and more (except maybe coaching), was the outstanding leadership of Dorsey, Hester, Flynn, and others. That has been missing this year.

Yes, Arkansas made some critical plays at the right time. But this LSU team should not have let that Arkansas team - particularly with thier injuries - even sniff an opportunity to win.

This team remains rudderless. Especially on defense.

And that leads me to this. Could LSU turn down the bowl game and just let this season go away? I know the Tigers and Les Miles would NEVER do that, particularly because of the senior class. But, really, do any of you want to risk watching LSU get blown out by some crappy ACC team?

Personally, I've had enough. I'd be happy to turn to basketball and start getting ready for baseball and the Spring football game.

It's sour grapes. I admit it. And I know better. I should have more perspective. But, even though I did not in any way expect this season to be a repeat of 2007, I certainly didn't expect LSU to go 3-5 in SEC play. And struggle with Troy. And lose to Ole Miss. And lose to Arkansas. So, although my brain says I'm being childish, my heart is calling for the pain to stop.

Whatever. The game will be played. And I will watch. But that familiar pre-game anticipation won't be there, replaced instead with something very, very close to apathy. But not quite.

Geaux Tigers. I guess.

Your super awesome fun thought for Monday

LSU may be the first team to ever spend a week ranked unanimously ranked #1, and then lose on the second week in triple overtime. Twice.

That's all I got. Because the only solace I have is looking forward to winning a SEC championship and Sugar Bowl win. LSU has been skating by for a while now. Since the 2nd half of USC to be exact. So losing wasn't that unexpected. I had a conversation in my head as I am wont to do way too often during the 4th quarter that LSU wasn't going to win. Besides all the signals from the field, I just wasn't feeling it. And so post-result, I walked away from Tiger Stadium for the last time in 2007, still with a heavy heart.

Why was I disheartened? It wasn't losing on Senior Day. It wasn't losing to Coach Crazier Than A Sack Of Rabid Weasels. It wasn't losing a shot at the national title. With the Tigers' play, I wasn't really in the mood to consider it, much less if the Tigers were playing well enough to deserve a shot or win it. I was ticked because we blew a nice little home win streak.

I know, I know, big deal. But call me a traditionalist that takes a long view of history and circumstances. LSU had won 19 straight in Death Valley. Dating all the way back to a loss to Tennessee in 2005 to kick off the home slate immediately post Katrina. This streak had seen the defense of our home field for over 2 seasons, which is something I hadn't seen in my life yet. We had defeated the likes of Bama, Virginia Tech, Louisiana Tech, USL, Arizona, Arkansas, South Carolina, Mississippi St, Tulane and Kentucky. Twice this stretch had seen ranked Florida and Auburn squads visit and sent home with a loss. And then it's pissed away with a loss to the Hogs.

What to say? Arkansas wanted it more. Our defense was banged up. Whatever the case, I mourn what could've been a nice piece of excellence for LSU. And now, the Tigers must concentrate playing for important milestones. And as fans, we must look forward to witnessing the Fightin' Tigers fight for great glory in the shape of another SEC title and Sugar Bowl win. As aforementioned, I consider LSU's place in the history of the SEC and CFB. Things change slowly in that pantheon, one win at a time. And that's what I want to see, LSU adding a 10th SEC title, an even 7-7 Sugar Bowl record (possible 4th straight victory) and a less lopsided series record with the Tennessee Volunteers. Geaux Tigers!

SUNDAY SOAPBOX: It's All Good

I could write for hours about everything that was messed up about that crap Friday night. But what's the point? There's no use putting lipstick on this pig. Arkansas played probably it's best game of the year. LSU did not.

Oh, there is more to say. Lot's more. Where should we start? The defense? The quarterback? The coaches? Again, what's the point? This is the team we have. This is the season we've been given - a season that is not over.

So we have two more opportunities to watch the Tigers, on national TV. And we all have a choice, now.

Do we let the crushing disappointment of the season that might have been ruin the season that is?

I won't. I'm not going to grieve for what might have been one more second.

So, it's all good. Six days to get ready for Tennessee in Atlanta. SEC Championship.

It's all good.

Just keep saying that. It's all good.

Damn! Arkansas 50, LSU 48

ANOTHER OVERTIME? WTF?

LSU 28, Arkansas 28.

Look. With the writers' strike going on, I sincerely appreciate the drama. But. COME-ON!

Just win this damn thing. I have no patience for losing to this team. Kentucky, maybe. Florida - OK. R-Kansas? HELL no.

GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!

Arkansas Halftime Report: WAKE UP!!!!

Arkansas 7, LSU 6

Total Offense: Arkansas 155, LSU 95

Casey Dick 3/6, 24 yards, Matt Flynn 7/22 50 yards.

That's right, SEVEN of TWENTY-TWO. And, NO - not a bunch of drops. Maybe one drop.

How in Dorsey's name can the LSU offense play so poorly (wait, no, Matt Flynn play so poorly) that they have a mere 95 yards after a full half? Senior Day? Day game? Short week? Fatigue?

I found myself thinking, at about the end of LSU's fourth pitiful possession, "I wonder if Ryan is throwing the footall to warm up?"

The offensive line seems to be stinking as well. And I'm wondering at the play calling.

Seriously. With the defense playing VERY WELL against this offensive attack, I'm not sure how the Crowton offense can even look the defense in the eyes at this point.

Of all the things I thought would happen today, a low over/under NEVER entered my mind.

C'mon Tigers, POOSH, POOSH, POOSH!

PREDICTION: LSU 41, Arkansas 35

I wasn't planning to make a prediction for this game.

Oh, well.

Thing is, this score just keeps sticking in my brain. So, why not.

I didn't do so well with the Ole Miss prediction, but we won so who cares, right?

Here's how I see this one.

INTANGIBLES. It's senior day, in Tiger Stadium, and LSU is the #1 team in the country and playing the next three games for all the marbles. Arkansas, on the other hand, simply wants "The Boot" back. Oh, and Houston Nutt may or may not be hitting the road at the end of this season. LSU +1

LSU O vs HAWGS D. The Tigers have played MUCH better defenses this year and scored well. I don't see the Hawg defense stepping up for an entire game. LSU won't score at will, but they will be able to put an average number of points on the board, if not slightly more. Fortunately for LSU, "average" is 39 points. LSU +1

LSU D vs HAWGS O. This is the big question. Will LSUs slightly banged up, underperforming (of late) defense be able to keep McFadden from putting up a 300 yard game? Will Casey Dick be able to repeat his Miss St passing performance? He hasn't been a prolific quarterback, and he hasn't been sacked much this year. Of course, he also hasn't had a single positive rushing yard all year. Look for this to be an even matchup, with a couple of turnovers and a couple of big plays for McFadden. EVEN.

SPECIAL TEAMS. Tough to say. Besides Colt David and Fisher, LSU's special teams have been average at best and scary at times. Holliday's return for a TD against Ole Miss was a great change of pace. Maybe we'll see something like that again. Arkansas doesn't seem to have especially great special teams, either. Although, Felix Jones HAS run two kickoffs back for TDs.
EVEN.

LSU should win this game, but unless the defense steps up and plays a game close to their performances against VT or MSU, expect Arkansas to find the end zone.

PREDICTION: McFadden 125 yards, Jones 65 yards, Dick 100 yards, 2 interceptions, 2 sacks.

LSU 41, Arkansas 35.

History of The Boot - If'n Your Interested...

Direct pull from LSU Gamenotes:


For the 12th consecutive year, LSU and Arkansas will battle for "The Boot", a 24-karat gold trophy in the shape of the states of Arkansas and Louisiana that resembles a boot. LSU has won the trophy 8 times - 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, while Arkansas has claimed the trophy 3 times 1998, 2000 and 2002. "The Boot" will sit on the LSU sidelines during game and will be given to the winning team following the contest.


HT: TigerForums' PaducahMichael.

Nutt to Baylor?

Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt said to be heading to Baylor immediately following LSU's trouncing of them next Friday. I guess having two riduculously talented backs in on backfield and still not competing in the conference just didn't do it for him...

Buh-bye.

HT: EDSBS, posters at TigerDroppings .... pretty much everyone except ESPN, SI, and the MSM.