Indeed, this team was overmatched last night, literally from the first play of the game. This is the first time all season I've seen *both* the OL and DL overmatched, and to that you have to take your hat off to Georgia. Also, our coaches were outcoached last night, but that's not a terrible thing. Mark Richt is a great coach, and don't forget that over the course of his UGA career---heck, and his Fla St career, too---he's won many, many more big games than he's lost. Richt is a hell of a coach, right there with Tubs for being the best coach in the conference. LSU just lost to a better team last night. No shame in that at all.
Spot on, Hawker. Georgia has earned the right to call itself the best program in the conference so far this decade, even though they have one less national title than LSU in that time. If the UGA 1-loss team of 2002 hadn't happened in a year (like 2005) in which you have two undefeateds, they may have 1 national title over the past 6 seasons to match LSU's. The Bulldog team is a formidable foe indeed, the one I respect above all others in the SEC.
If you look at the recruiting classes over the past four years, Georgia has quietly, but consistently, pulled in top 10 classes. While LSU can claim exceptional talent, it is unrealistic to think that LSU doesn't need to bring an 'A' game to beat a team like Georgia.
All the major conferences have great talent. Some schools in each conference seem to have more than the others each year. The ability to beat teams with great talent week after week is what makes these teams great. College football is an emotional game. Keeping these teams up is a very difficult things to do. LSU had its share of adversity this year. We did have a great season under any circumstances, but this year was exceptional. The Bulldogs are SEC Champions, they earned it. This doesn't take away from the accomplishments of LSU, the team or the coaching staff. The Tigers are #1 in my heart and will continue to be. Geaux Tigers, Geaux LES MILES and staff. Congratulations on a great SEC campaign and hears to winning the bowel game we get invited to.
I'm not sure there is a coach in the country who has a record like Richt against "real" OOC competition. If you forget about the Appalachian State's of the world and look at his record against other BCS automatic qualifying conferences (Big East, Big Ten, etc.), he has done well. Since his first year (2001), Richt has rattled off a 10-1 record in major OCC games, losing only to BC in his very first bowl game.... he's won 9 straight since. ...pretty impressive.
Thank you! I guess it takes someone WITHOUT purple and gold glasses to see that we're not the only talented team in the country. Just because someone says a player is a 4 or 5 star recruit out of high school doesn't mean that that kid has what it takes to succeed at the next level. Don't get me wrong, I do believe we're one of the most talented teams in the country, but obviously all the talent in the world can't save you if the players don't play like it.
This is my only post about that sad game. First, those kids played their hearts out for a full 4 quarters. If anyone denies that then they are complete idiots. Second, we were missing Joe, Jesse, and Alley. Not trying to make excuses but Steltz is no Jesse Daniels. While Shyrone did a great job, we did not have a RB in there that could run down the middle. Side Note: really happy to see Shy get some PT in his last SEC game. Third, my Miles gripe. I am not a coach, my dad did not coach high school football nor did my grandpa coach Div. II. Hell, my dad played football in leather helmets. However, we looked like a deer caught in headlights for most of the game. So many penalities, including 2 15 yard penalities on one GA drive. Richt knew exactly what we were going to do throughout the whole game. We were definitely outcoached, not outmanned Fourth, our offense has just looked so mediacore the entire season. I have no doubt that JR is probably one of the most talented QBs around but this is ridiculous. And I don't want to hear that he is still learning the playbook. It seems like the offense is very "vanilla" and from what I understand, Jimbo had to simplify it. I have officially poured my first glass of Ryan Perrilloux Kool-Aid and am ready to see him play. Fifth, going to the Peach Bowl will suck. It is one step above the independence bowl. Anyway, those are my two cents. I am going study for my Con Law II final and hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukka, Happy Kwanza, Merry Festivus, or whatever in the hell you celebrate.LSU! LSU!
