Did anyone notice/think it was weird how often Gary was calling for Brandon Harris to come in a replace Etling?? I necessarily don't agree with that but the more he said and the more Etling got wrecked, I honestly began to open up to it. Or hell throw the McMillian kid in there. (not sure if he has RS) Are there actually an LSU fans that 100% think O should have tried a change at QB? Even for one drive?
I do. At the very least, give Etling a chance to settle down. I don't understand why Ogeron hasn't gotten more play time for our second string QB in all games. Totally disagree with that philosophy, which is very similar to what Miles did.
After Bama's 4th quarter field goal with less than 4 mins on the clock would have been the time to try to spark the offense. I think it was clear to everyone watching the game that LSU wasn't going to score 10 points in 3 mins against Bama's D. What was there to lose to use Harris' mobility to try to move the football. I would have like to see him in the game at that point but realistically it probably wouldn't have made a difference.
LSU is set up as a power football team, so is Bama. They have the best coach in the game, but they have adapted to the modern game. LSU must adapt as well. That starts with coaching up the kids, but it's also on recruiting. To beat Bama you must have a mobile QB. LSU does not have the OL to beat them at the smash mouth game. If you're running a spread, with some option it will keep them honest. I wouldn't have minded giving Harris a series just to see what he could do. However I do not at all fault Oeaux and the staff for not making that call. Etling has been a much better QB this season and Harris has shown a tendency to be rattled.
In all fairness, I thought coach O went conservative compared to his earlier efforts. When you have a physical mismatch in LF7 in the backfield, it's just too tempting to not expect him to break a few and open things up.
We don't need to run the spread or have a mobile QB. I don't totally hate it, except in reality they usually aren't great passers. Which makes your team 1D.
For the most part you're right, most spread QB's are not as adept at the passing game. However, you work with them. Look at what Bama is doing with a true freshman. Tebow, Newton, Manziel, Watson, Jackson, etc. Fact is LSU and Bama are both smash mouth teams, that strategy is clearly not working. Granted some of that is OL coaching, evaluating, QB development, and evaluation as well. Under Saban, when Bama has loss, it's typically to a mobile QB. You won't beat him at his game.
We would've with better offensive production. With 125 total yards, we got a lot of looking in the mirror to do.
