REVISIT: Why did we lose to Florida & Auburn in Football?

We didn't attack Auburn's weaknesses as well as we should have in that game (backup CB not getting thrown at???)...but the facts and stats don't bear out your 3yds and a cloud of dust theory. We passed more than ran in every quarter...we just didn't execute or perhaps call the right play at the right time.

 

oh yea and the refs really did hose us

 

Absolutely, a poster on another board recently posted this break down from the Auburn game.

1st quarter:
6 rushing plays for 10 yards
8 passing plays (4 complete) for 38 yards

2nd quarter:
6 rushing plays for 18 yards (2 scrambles by Russell)
10 passing plays (3 complete) for 27 yards

3rd quarter:
5 rushing plays for 10 yards
7 passing plays (4 complete) for 53 yards

4th quarter:
6 rushing plays for 4 yards (1 scramble, 1 sack)
14 passing plays (10 complete) for 172 yards (2 spikes to stop the clock)

Totals
23 rushing plays for 42 yards (3 scrambles, 1 sack)
39 passing plays (21 complete) for 290 yards (2 spikes to stop clock)

 

We lost the game because we didn't execute. Were the refs horrible? Undoubtedly, but they are not in our control, so you have to factor them out. The refs can influence the game, but they cannot play the game. There are yards, feet, and inches all over the field at any given time. If you back yourself into a corner and whittle away your options, you increase the power that others have over you. We had plenty of opportunity to salt those games away, and it is not in dispute that we had the talent.

Regardless of where any of us choose to point the finger, Miles, Fisher, Russell, etc., they are all part of the team that didn't get it done. Some may be more culpable then others, but it is a team sport. Hopefully this year, we remove any chance of a bad call(s) from influencing the outcome of any game. Kind of like we did eleven times last year...

 

I'd start a thread on why 'Bama lost every game we have lost the past 5 years, but I'd be here until next month just trying to list them all, much less explain them.

Gene Stallings, we need you back.

 

Of course we would have won had we played better in different facets of the game. I sometimes complain about refs, bad calls, good calls I call bad calls, etc. I rarely...really never have blamed the refs for losses...UNTIL the Auburn game in question. It was a defensive battle and close game. The refs cost us the game...period.

I never, Lou Holtz never, the cast of ESPN never witnessed a ref pick up a flag on a judgement call on a crucial game-changing play.

Anyway, ready to kick ass and take names for 07-08. Geaux LSU!.

 

Regardless of how bad the call was, you can take comfort in the refs losing the game for us if you like, but that doesn't make it so. Go back and watch the game again. Plenty of bad calls in that game, and plenty of bad plays. At that point, Miles had not shown an ability to make in game adjustments, or perhaps it was Fisher. Regardless, we had our opportunities in that game, and it didn't work out.

That was not the only game we played in last year that had egregious calls, that swung momentum or changed the dynamic of the game. Some calls went our way and some didn't. The fact is, no game is won or lost merely on the success or failure of one play.

 

That's what i've been tryin to say man, but these guys want to dwell on it. I realize it was more than one call but the game doesn't come down to just a couple calls. I mean, i'm not tryin to knock on JR but if he threw that last ball to Early a little faster this could have all been avoided. But whatever, he made enough plays in the game anyways.
I'm ready to move onto next season and maybe its me but i'm not the type to dwell on things of the past especially when our season ended out so well. If we keep complaining about the refs last year we're gonna start sounding like Auburn fans about 04 season. I mean you all can blame the refs but its not gonna change anything; we just didn't come up with enough plays.

 

I had and have let the game go. But, I saw the thread. So, I gave my couple of cents. I will say again. We didn't lose the Auburn game because of Auburn. That's all. It's an interesting study.