As proud as I am of this LSU team, there are still some things I worry about: 1. Penalties. In all of Division I, only Cincinatti at #119 has more penalties per game than LSU. We were little better in 2005 and 2006 so I consider this to be an ongoing problem that hasn't been fixed. 2. Slow starts. LSU has been a second-half team this season and has been guilty of some very slow starts. LSU must be quick-thinking, fast-moving, and hard-hitting on the first drive on both offense and defense in a championship game. 3. Special teams. LSU's kicker and punter have had a fine year, but our return teams and our return defense teams have been below average for the second straight year. This is an exploitable weakness. Other issues I have a great deal of confidence in: 1. Depth. LSU has lost vital starters several times this season and always has had a capable backup to bring in. LSU is healthy and deep with experienced talent at this point in the season. 2. Powerful finishes. LSU has shown an ability to come from behind and to crank it up a notch in the second half. LSU has also shown an ability to put away a beaten team. In close games, it has taken multiple overtimes with easy shots at scoring to steal a win from LSU. 3. Audacity. This LSU team and coaches have the self-confidence to air the ball on 3rd and short, to run the ball for 4th-down conversions, to fake field goals and punts, and to run reverses and other trick plays. 4. Coaching. Les and his fine coordinators have demonstrated an ability to make successful halftime adjustments all season long.
Very good points. I would add : #5. Playing in the Dome. Certainly there is some advantage for the Tigers by playing in New Orleans. I think getting off to a fast start is key. If we can get a 2 score lead, I look for them to fold (the players may start thinking, "here we go again"). I think the other key is for the Tigers to win the turnover battle. Think how important they were in the FL, BAMA, and TN games this year.
I agree with pretty much all of that. I am still concerned about lingering injuries and about practicing as much as we do. I think the amount of time we spend per week in practice has much to do with some of the wearing down we have seen at the end of the last three seasons. Hopefully we will be fresh in this one. Good post!
Add to confidences: The performance of Les' teams in bowl games at LSU. He's knocked two bigtime programs completely off the map, and they've still yet to recover. The combmined score for these games is 81-17. The man can prepare with the best of them.
Could be some truth here, but I would question whether (1) Coker didn't already have Miami in an irreversible tailspin and (2) Notre Dame pretty much was the team everyone else in the country thought they were (as in bad). Now if Miles finds a way to lay one on tOSU, I might start finding some kudos for his big game prep... for now, school's still out. On the plusses, playing in New Orleans in almost a home games will be a big positive. On the negatives, LSU has found ways to keep some games close that shouldn't have been... some as a result of mental mistakes... some from sluggish, conservative play-calling.
great post, Red55 .... I think you nailed it overall. I'd add one thing. IMO, it's not just getting out to an early lead, but LSU will need to get Doucet involved early and often (pun not intended). When Doucet is active, he causes MA's and breakdowns in defensive schemes. That's exactly what UF did to OSU last time. The announcers were focused on "speed," leaving the impression that UF was overall faster than OSO. That wasn't the case, nor will it be the case against LSU. Moving Harvin around to expose mismatches was the key for UF, and IMO moving Doucet around to expose the same mismatches will achieve the same result. BTW, your point about Special teams play was spot-on the money.....
worried that I will 1) run out of beer and 2) will not be able to see straight....confident that I will drink a lot :hihi: seriously...biggest confidence is playing in NOLA and biggest worry is over confidence.
Reminds me of the guys who get their asses kicked on a regular basis but still come back for more. Miami was highly regarded at the time LSU cornholed them in the Peach Bowl. In fact, they put up a very good fight until the 4th quarter. They were not a bad team until then. Notre Dame still had Willingham's studs and were a better team than they were this year. All Les can do is put a whuppin' on teams. Those who want to find a reason other than the fact that LSU is good will always find a way.
Not going to NOLA so you are welcomed to join us for the party! There are going to be close to 40 LSU fans there and I am cooking red beans and rice. Will NEVER RUN out of beer and there are 17 TV's and everyone of them will be on the game and the stereo will be tuned in!
oh yeah...my other worry...that I wont get the duckets from herbie. still working on it. Thanks :thumb:
