I get what you are saying. It's hard to recollect what player losses they dealt with back then, and it may not have been as significant, but I am not sure it would have changed where they started off ranking wise the next year. Regarding OCs, I know it is just speculation at this point, but I don't think the other choices are nearly as comparable. Crowton sucked, we all knew it, but CLM sticks w/people til the end, when he really has to make a change. It's a strength and a fault. Regarding Kragthorpe, I think he would have done better had he not had challenges w/Alzheimers. Call me crazy, but somehow that had an effect. Cam comes in extremely experienced/seasoned in both the pro and college game, has a relationship already w/CLM, and will be given more leeway, not all, but certainly more. I realize you consider it faith, but I do think the optimism this year has some foundation. Like I said, I am okay w/#12. We'll be top 5 by OCT, and catbird seat by NOV. You guys only have one way to go, so disappointment seems to be the only outcome for Bama this year after they lose to LSU and don't make the NC game this time.
#12 seems about right. But shouldn't we be paying more attention to where most are picking LSU to finish in the West Division?
Spittin' Lou agrees w/me, lol. He was just on talking about LSU over Bama - a first for him. We all know he knows what he's talking about (tongue in cheek, if it is not obvious).
3 championships in 4 years creates a lot of Bama fatigue. Throw in there a Lou Holtz/Notre Dame beat down and that should keep spittin Lou.............................................. spittin.
I'm no where nearer being sure it would have changed things than you. I do think it would have weighed into the voting but I also have to consider that would mean that voters took the time to read over things like departures, incoming talent, back-ups and what production they've had, along with other variables. That information wasn't nearly as accessible then as it is now and I have my doubts that the writers would have taken their time to review that many media guides. Having heard sports writers justify their rankings of a team like Notre Dame with the response, "I ranked them there because they are Notre Dame" it's hard to suppose they would take things mentioned here into account. (Flashback to a year ago: I recall reading a beat writer from the B1G country stating "Michigan just has offensive lineman laying around" in an effort to refute the rebuilding project the Wolverines had along their offensive line preseason 2012.) Pardon a quick change of subject: How's Krag doing? Faith > optimism in my dictionary. October? I'd feel comfortable saying end of October or early November. Realistically, LSU would need some BIG wins and have a few teams above them lose unexpected games. Disappointed? Yes. But, not to the degree it might be felt in other years. The odds are so great against making the NC in any year and then you couple it with a team trying to do something this unique?
No. LSU ain't that mysterious. Just young and that is why people rate us low. The facts are that LSU is considerably talented, very strong, and scary fast and anyone who follows SEC football knows this. They just don't recognize names that we do. Some are picking Ole Miss over us. Other think Bama and A&M are automatic losses. I don't. I suspect you don't either. So what is this mystery? Is it any bigger than the questions marks all teams have in August?
