The lead up to the LSU vs Bama game is a great example of the differences in the 2 programs. The LSU team and Coach Miles are a big happy family that has fun and enjoys each other. Bama and coach Saban are like a tyrant and his underlings. I’m sure they are enjoying their season, but how much fun can you have under Saban’s iron fisted leadership? If I am a big time recruit trying to decide between the 2 programs, I’m going to choose the program where I can win championships and have the most fun doing it. Which teams players do you think are enjoying the lead up to the big game more. It’s definitely the LSU guys and come Nov 5th that is why they will be playing fast and loose. The Bama players will feel the pressure the most.
I like the Special Teams play and the staff Les has this year. There is truth to a team being loose and having fun. Hal Hunter at LSU, Phil Bennett at Pitt, you can have fun and win games. :tigereye:
I get what you're saying and do agree but I believe people discount Miles' intensity. He's classy enough to understand sports psychology and correct problems in practice since you can't "fix" much in games. I saw this when someone had posted some practice footage earlier this year. He was getting on sum azz. I was glad to see it because there is a place/way for it. He also has the luxury of utilizing the bench if they don't want to put forth 100% as we recently heard with one of our RB's. Depth is a great coaching tool.
Also just announced was that LSU football now has the 2nd best graduation rate in the SEC. Only Vandy has better. Graduation rates have been steadily improving under Miles.
These are some great posts, guys ... Les states his # 1 goal always is the education and welfare of his player ... and he means business The psychology of the players is a mirror of the coach ... Saban's tirades have affected players at LSU when he was here ... and it cost us games! LSU has NEVER EXECUTED as well as Les players seem to do this year. Huge edge to LSU ... all the pressure on Bama!
Reminds me of the Arizona/UCLA game. There poor ol AZ was, losing every fricken game they've played. UCLA heavily favored comming in with just one loss. What did the fill in coach say .. "Hey guys ... go out and have some fun". They went out and burned UCLA so bad that fights starting breaking out because of the frustration of the UCLA players. Sometimes ... people forget .. THIS IS A GAME!!! I don't really care if we win or lose .. I just hope our tigers go out, and have the time of their life playing the best team they've played all year!
I do believe it is easy to underestimate Miles' intensity but I also think it is equally easy to misjudge Saban's intensity as well. Sure Saban is tough and very direct but he has always seemed to care about his players in a way that I have observed in all great coaches at the college level. I prefer Coach Miles' style but both have achieved excellent results.
I agree with this. People discount it because Les keeps it in the locker-room and on the practice field. I get chills when I get a glimpse of it in videos such as this one.. (about 36 seconds in) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm-1baEogO8"]LSU vs Alabama: Hype - YouTube[/ame]
