This year is tougher than next year? 1) Kentucky was tough? Or we let that team run it up on us? Kentucky rolled up 4 losses after our game. Turned out they were not all that after all. Doubt anyone will think they will be as tough next year without their current QB. 2) Alabama was better this year than they will be next year or the next? Or did we just make them look really good? 3) Florida was as tough as they will be next year or the next when their extremely young defense gets a little more age? 4) Who says Tubby will leave Auburn? The last seven years have resulted in a win for the home team. Remind me next year how this game aint no big deal. 5) South Carolina won't be good next year? Spurrier seems to continue building a better team. Add to that, we could possibly have a new head coach, new defensive coordinator, and possibly lose more coaches depending on who leaves and who comes in. We also lose 25 seniors and have yet another QB shouldering the load for the first time. Yeah, I think next year wil be tougher.
. . . yes it took the Hogs three overtimes to beat the Tigers, but Arkansas was unranked and the game was in Death Valley.
I guess we are the only team this year to lose to an unranked opponent? Oh that's right there were about 5 other teams ranked in the top 2 alone at one point that did the same thing this season. And it was our first loss at home since 2005. 19 games ago. It's gonna happen.
My point is: Nobody but LSU WOULD have done better in our games than we did. Slightly different meaning than "could", so, I'm sorry if I caused confusion there. People need to realize that we got everybody's best shot this season. It took a toll on the team. Also, the Arky Razorbacks are an excellent football team that is well-coached. They have underachieved this season, and their record does not reflect how good they really are. They have McFadden, Jones and Hillis in the backfield. They played a helluva game against LSU, and, I'm don't think that we should be disappointed in the effort that our players and coaches gave in that game. Finally, whenever I say "Gentlemen", I don't mean to exclude the Ladies who post here.
You may be right... it's one of those things we'll never know for sure. Personally, my wife accuses of watching EVERY game this season, which, of course, was impossible. I accuse her of buying something in EVERY store last year... so fair's fair (and I'm closer to being right). Anyway, back to the subject, it's my opinion (1) that there was no great outstanding team this year and (2) the teams we thought may be good early on became more than less than great.... so giving the Tigers their due for beating VaTech early on... if your wondering if there are other teams out there that could have done better than 2-2 against Florida, Auburn and Arky at home and Kentucky on the road (the meat of the schedule), I'd say why not.... I'd even guess there could be five or six teams that could have done it, especially playing them at home.... and not because LSU isn't good... just because none of the four proved to be the world-beaters we thought they were.
FWIW, I almost ALWAYS agree with your points on here, but I don't on this one. I'm not saying next year's schedule CAN'T be tougher than this years, but I don't think you can rightfully say it WILL be tougher than this years. You mention LSU possibly losing a coach, but what about other teams? Spurrier rebuilding at USCe? He may just be doing it HERE...and it would be a much easier rebuild.:wink: Arky is replacing a coach, and most likely the best player in CFB, along with Monk, and probably Jones as well. Auburn is sorta rebuilding next year, and it's no guarantee Tubbs will be there. I would say we made Bama look good this year, since they turned around and lost the next 3, including to UL friggin' M.:shock: They will be better next year...but not that much. We do get GA next year, and they will be our biggest HOME test...I think. We do lose seniors, but we lost a lot of key talent at skill positions last year, too. We have a lot of depth, especially on offense, that got a lot of valuable experience this year. We should be VERY dangerous on offense next year. On defense, with all the injuries we had...we were able to get a lot of underclassmen some PT this year, and that will help their development for next year. I don't think we'll see much of a dropoff on defense, especially considering the last two games. The offense will make up for any we do see, though...IMHO. One other thing...I think Jean Lafitte said this also. I think our main problem THIS year was the hype. We got everyone's best shot, but perhaps even MORE importantly...the team had an air of invincibility about it...thought they couldn't be beaten. I hated when we got the #1 ranking...wish we had never seen it til after the BCSNCG. No need to be ranked #1...as it takes two teams to have a BCSNCG. I think it went to the teams head, and made every team we faced want to beat us even more.
