I didn't predict them to be make the playoffs. I said they are a legitimate contender to make the playoffs, and I am not alone, obviously. Anybody in the top-10 is a contender right now and LSU certainly is.
We've yet to prove we can beat Ole Miss or A & M? Really? We only beat them just about every time we play them. The Hawgs don't look scary. And Florida is always a dogfight, but not one we're not used to. I wouldn't be scared at all to play Sparty or the Domers. UCLA looks tough--or is the Pac 12 bad? We're in it as much as anyone right now.
Look, I get what you are saying and will almost always concur, but my point is based on the same sample size everyone else has seen after 3 games is that today, going into (for us) week 4, we are not a true threat to beat those teams mentioned. I wouldn't predict a win on the majority of those games if they were played next week. Granted, that is my opinion and I am certainly not trying to shape yours. ALL I am saying is we are not a playoff team today. Whether that changes in a week or 3 remains to be seen. The criteria I used to make that determination hasn't been challenged, only the fact that you and others feel we are playoff contenders and right now, I disagree.
I like the fact that the strength of our schedule is four weeks down the road. That gives Harris more time to gain experience and confidence. In addition, our backups should see some playing time in the next four weeks. Let's see where we are in early November.
And who woulda thought we'd be undefeated in the 2011 regular season with Mr. Pick Six at QB? There aren't many teams that play good against SEC competition the entire year. After watching the Ole Miss / Alabama game, I felt like both of them were better than us at that time, but I see Harris getting better every game and that's key. We're not there yet, but I hope we gel and it all comes together in the next couple of weeks. Plus, we need a couple of breaks, luck, whatever you want to call it just like Auburn had 2 years ago.
Arkansas was just as bad last year as this year and they goose egged us. Lol. Playoffs. But hey, anything is possible.
I think that Arky loss was more about bad timing and letdown for us. Not saying they can't do it again, but I think we will be a more polished team this year, and hopefully will be coming off of a win over ALA and flying high, rather than an emotional, OT loss that drained us like last year.
