I watched the first half of the MTSU game last night on LSUSports.net. Before I nodded off - it's tough chasing a two-year-old up and down a beach - I determined that my initial perception of the offensive line was correct. Although MTSU only had two sacks and a few tackles for loss, their defensive line spent a lot of time in our backfield. Perrilloux was rushed a lot, and ran a lot - many times because he had to. This against a defense that gave up over 700 yards against Louisville. And, we had a few too many offensive line penalties again.

I know, I know - relax, enjoy a great season. I am, and I am.

I'm just sayin' - if we have a weak link right now, it's the o-line, and it's an issue that teams like Florida and Alabama and Arkansas (and maybe South Carolina and Kentucky) will be able to exploit.

Although I'm still watching the o-line, I have to take back my assertion that they didn't protect the quarterbacks. MTSU had 2 sacks and only 4 tackles for loss. I can't find stats on pressure on the passers. So, I think they did just fine.

By contrast, MSU had 3 sacks and 11 tackles for loss, and VT had 2 and 5 respectively.

Clearly, the line is getting better each week.

SUNDAY SOAPBOX - LSU 44, MTSU - Nada

I am spoiled now. In so many ways.

For one, I clearly remember being more than content to listen to John Ferguson call the Tiger games on the radio while I was growing up. These days, even though Jim Hawthorne is doing an amazing job, radio just aint enough. It's killin' me that not only could I not watch the game on TV, but I don't have it recorded on DVR this morning. So I can't go back and do some analysis. I guess I'll have to do that the old fashioned way.

I am also spoiled with this football team. I hate to even admit it, but we've been so dominant this season that the first close win (i.e. less than 20 points), where the defense gives up more than 250 yards of offense, might cause me to have to fight disappointment. Last night, I was conscious of getting antsy as the second and third string defense bent - but did NOT break - and allowed MTSU to get a first down or three. Oh, the horror!

GAME ANALYSIS

First, and foremost, Coach Miles and the staff deserve a lot of credit for keeping the team focused and ready for what theoretically could have been a dangerous MTSU offense. I didn't sense any flatness through the radio. And, although I don't quite understand the logic behind keeping the quarterback decision (not to mention the Doucet injury) quiet until kickoff, I liked how little difference it made who was starting. There were differences, but not many. And to me, that's a coaching thang - so again, credit to The Hat and The Wizard.

Offense

Before we get too giddy, let's remember that this was MTSU. Louisville hung what - 700 yards of offense on them? So let's not go travelling on the other side of context.

That said, RP played a fine game. Brett Martel - AP writer - has the best quote so far to summarize his play.

Ryan Perrilloux looked nothing like a backup quarterback in his first career start for LSU. Perrilloux threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns to lead No. 2 LSU to a 44-0 victory over Middle Tennessee on Saturday night.

Short of the one interception and a couple of times when he didn't comport himself under pressure with as much maturity as Flynn does, Perrilloux is a stud. Hatch sounded OK, but without video, I had a hard time developing a feel for his performance.

Eight ball carriers combined for 198 yards rushing. Ten receivers hauled in a combined 307 yards passing. Our quarterbacks (second and third string, mind you) were 21-28, with 3 TDs and 1 interception.

The tightends got into the gameplan with both Dickson and Zinger logging catches for decent gains.

If there's anything to worry about - because we wouldn't be fans if we didn't worry - the offensive line seems to be struggling a little. Both quarterbacks seemed harried more than they should and I didn't count, but we had a few o-line penalties at inopportune times again. MTSU logged two sacks.

But enough worry. The offense - led by our second best QB (who's probably good enough to be almost anyone else's first best) - put 500 yards and 44 points on these guys in three quarters.

Nuff said.

Defense

Um. WOW. Keeping a firm eye on the borders of the aforementioned context, let's see. Less than 100 yards offense. Less than 10 yards rushing.

WOW!

About the only question I have - and probably mostly because I couldn't watch - involves the pass rush. It SOUNDED like MTSU had too much time to throw too often. But, heck - six sacks. Maybe I was hearing things, I don't know.

Special Teams

Well, the kickoff team got a workout. Looks like we might have a new kicker (Crutchfield, I think?) - he put one in the endzone, which you won't see much of this year with the new rules. Fisher had one punt for 41 yards. Coach Peveto kicked his old team's arse.

Summary

Barring defensive injuries, if the offense shows up for the rest of the season and plays like even it's worst outing so far (MSU), then the Tigers will crush everyone but Florida and Arkansas. Both the Gators and the Hawgs are dangerous on offense. I don't think we'll be shutting them down completely. So the offense will have to keep our defense off the field and put the ball in end zone.

For next week, South Carolina is no push over, but they aren't all that great either. They had (I believe) 5 turnovers yesterday against South Carolina State. The discussions over the next 6 days should be fun as the fan base and media analyze the Cocks chances of pulling off an upset in Death Valley.

It's sunny and low 80s in Pensacola. I'm taking the kids to the beach!

Tigers dominate! Defense allows less than 100 yards offense and less than 10 yards rushing. Ryan Perrilloux has 300 yards, 3 TDs in 3 quarters. 500 yards total offense.

Sunday Soapbox up tomorrow.

Listening to Jordy Hultberg's pregame interview with our head coach, Les STILL wouldn't reveal the starting QB (13 minutes prior to kickoff). Of course, we know by now that RP started.

Have to wonder what the drama was about.

Guilbeau can be such a tool.

Games like this can get a coach fired.

As if, even if the unthinkable happened tonight, LSU would fire Miles. Dumbest opening line to an article I think I've ever read.

I guess, when there's not much of substance to say about a game, writers feel they must make their own news...

PRE-GAME PREDICTION - LSU 58 MTSU 3

Tomorrow's most interesting unknown may not be whether Flynn starts but whether the Tiger Stadium crowd gets into the game. Let's face it - there's not much spin up for this one. The media is blase, the blogs are inactive, the message boards are talking about everything BUT the game.

So I'll be interested to hear if the crowd is into it. Not because it's mandatory for the win, but because many of the fans were hitting the exits early last week - against VT. A quiet Tiger Stadium that empties out after the fourth quarter begins would be sad - the team deserves better.

At any rate, I think LSU is every bit as powerful as they look, and MTSU is not nearly as powerful as their 42 point effort against Louisville might suggest.

The Tigers will score on their first 5 possessions and then play the bench - and keep scoring.

MTSU will get 3 points set up by a really good kickoff or punt return.

The Tiger D will get 2 more picks, and Steltz (if he plays) will get one of them. And we'll get a safety.

LSU 58 MTSU 3

I just rewatched some of the scoring orgy that was Louisville and MTSU last week. I was hoping to come away with some nugget of wisdom that would be worth posting...

Ummm...instead, here's all I could come up with.

Both of those defenses suck. Bad.

Brohm is pretty good. Wonder how he'll do against - ahem - competition.

Louisville won't last in the Top 10 if they can't keep even weak opponents (Murray State (10pts) and Middle Tenn (42pts)) out of their end zone.

MTSU has a few guys (Gee, McNair, Walden, Jones, Craddock The Fourth (what's up with that crap-dock?)) who might be able to make LSU's team.

Aaaaaannnnnd.........that's about it.

Flynn? or Perr-i-lox? I guess we're left to guess...

I'm comfortable with RP playing the entire game if that allows Flynn's foot to heal. South Carolina is not a push over.

LSU's GameNotes for the MTSU game. 53 pages. It might take awhile.

OK, here's the most interesting stuff (at least to me) from the MTSU Game Notes for Saturday's Game:

1. MTSU is 0-12 against Top-25 rated teams.
2. MTSU is 113th in the nation in turnover margin. LSU is 2nd.
3. MTSU QB Craddock has averaged 245 ypg, but has thrown 4 picks.
4. MTSU is 11th in the country in punt returns. LSU has punted a lot this season so far.
5. MTSU offensive line is (relatively) small and young.
6. RE Eric Walden is their stud on defense and is a penetration threat - sacks and tackles for loss.
7. DEs Walden and Taveres Jones are on Lombardi award watch list.

MTSU Game Notes for the LSU Game. 32 pages. I'll post a summary in a bit.

Justin G. at TigerReport.com thinks the Tigers won't cover the spread. But mostly, you should just go to the link and page down below his prediction. Trust me.

Well, Flynn is a little banged up. This creates an interesting decision for the coaches. It's Middle Tennessee, after all, and Perr-i-lox (Miles' term, not mine) has looked mighty fine. So, do they give Flynn an extra week to be healthy for South Carolina? I think he'll start this week- but I'd be buying dinner for the O-line if I were him. And I'd assume RP will see a LOT of early time on situations that require mobility.

It is hard to put into words how poorly the Middle Tennessee defense played
against Louisville. The numbers speak volumes, as the Blue Raiders were
victimized for 35 first downs and 729 total yards. They permitted 328 rushing
yards on 6.2 yards per attempt as well as 401 passing yards without registering
an interception. Middle Tennessee failed to record a sack and appeared helpless
for much of the contest.

To be sure, Louisville has a potent offense and QB, but this can't make them feel good after watching the Tigers dominate the vaunted VT defense. But they'll be up for the game, so we better be ready.