Now that I think about it I would say you are just about spot on with the time frame we would have to listen to ESPN, not give us our due credit. Of course when we beat Florida, Auburn, and Bama they'll say we should have won those games as well because Auburn just isn't back yet, and Bama and UF are both in rebuilding years adjusting to having to replace so many starters from the previous 2 years..
Some blasted our OOC schedule in '03 for having jokes such as Arizona on our schedule. The year we'd put them on the schedule, they'd only lost 1 game. Who knew they would get so bad so quickly? This the same sort of situation, and we'd really better exert our dominance, or I will be really worried about our season.
it's such a double-edged sword, though. on one hand we want our team to be prepared well for the season by having a few "gimme" games under their belts, and then on the other we want a big OOC game to boost SOS. can we have it both ways? sure, by scheduling sunbelt caliber, mid major teams to open the season. i think we'll be OK at the end of the season. UNC may have an asterisk by it in the eyes of some, but it's still a lot better than seeing san jose state.
I sure hope the team doesn't lose focus...we need to go all out against every opponent no matter who they are or how wounded they are. Looks like everyone is counting their chickens before they hatch. I expect victory...I predict victory...but I want to see intensity and focus with no let down. :tigereye:
this is what i want to see from EVERY game. i don't care if LSU wins or loses (in the grand scheme of things,) i want to see: focus, determination, intensity. i want to see tiger football.
About strempf of schedule - if UNC recovers quickly and has a strong ACC season, then this game will not hurt LSU's SoS because the computers don't take that kind of thing into context. Unless the computer rankings (I'm talking BCS here) are altered, most of them look purely at win/loss, home/away, and some of them look at opponents' opponents records. But I'm not aware of any of the models that look at things like this. Now - if UNC does not recover and has players suspended half the season, and they end up 6-6, then certainly LSU's SoS will take a hit - but not a huge one, because WVU is there, and LSU plays Auburn, UF, Bama, and Arkansas. By contrast, USC for instance plays 2 ranked teams, with Oregon being the highest ranked. Bottom line - LSU will be fine. Of course - they gotta win the damned game!
Hey, we just got through playing Clemson and VaTech, in that thing you guys happen to be at this weekend. Have you ever thought, it's incredible how LSU and Bama football programs, continue to overlap. It should be clear to all by now, we have become each others, second most interesting team. It's just a matter of time before all these "icons" say as much. So enjoy the new season TigerFans and remember your victory is my victory and your loss, well, you know how I feel. But just in case, I'll try to mention that mandate now and again.:miles: Roll Tigers Roll!!!
