Interesting article (although its from a florida beat writer) - I honestly got encouraged reading this being reminded me of how awful we were at home in the 80's-90's AND how thankful we should all be that those dark days are behind us! The only thing I disagree with is the writers assertion that its all about the talent. I feel like Louisiana has ALWAYS had the talent but coaching and AD expertise was the real issue... http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20130823/COLUMNISTS/130829827/ Because before you know it, everything has changed. For example, in the SEC, things weren't always this way, the way you know it now. And it makes me stop and reflect, to look back and ask the age old question, “Wha' happened?” How did we get here? Sounds like a job for … Dr. Football. You have questions, I have answers and some of them even make sense. 1. How did LSU get so tough at home? Ah, one of my favorite myths of the 1980s and '90s was that Tiger Stadium was one of the toughest places to play. In truth, it wasn't that difficult to win there. From 1980-89, LSU lost 19 home games. From 1990-99, the fans who streamed into Death Valley saw LSU lose 29 times. During those two decades, LSU lost at least three home games 10 times. And here is where it gets rough for LSU fans — they can thank Nick Saban for making Baton Rouge a place opposing football teams didn't want to visit. Saban's teams lost only five home games in five years (overcoming a 2003 loss to Florida to go on and win a national title). Les Miles has kept it going with only six losses at home in eight seasons. And do you know why these two coaches have made it so difficult to go to Tiger Stadium and win a game? They got better players. Page 2 of 3 I asked Phil Fulmer once why The Swamp was such a difficult place to play and he said, “Because Florida's got very good players.” The bottom line — your stadium is only as effective as the talent you have.
Also, it's not necessarily about wins and losses. Even the bear said it was a tough place to play. We played better at home, moreso than the average team, and that's the bottom line. We lost 29 games through the decade because the team wasn't very good, but no matter how bad we were, we were always a threat when we played in Tiger Stadium. That's something a stat sheet won't tell you and a beat writer out of Florida wouldn't know anything about.
It's always been about atmosphere in Tiger Stadium. Opposing teams have always dreaded entering on account of the FANS, regardless of the talent on the field. No place to play matches ours.
