Seriously, you guys need to stop blaming Miles for things that aren't his fault.

First, 2 quotes from another football forum

LSU fan on Miles:
I too am tired of hearing fans call for his head after every loss. This is only his 3rd season (out of 10) where we don't get to double digit wins. And like it or not, we're the only team that can go toe to toe with Bama year in and year out, even though we are on a bit of a losing streak right now.

I predicted 8-4 or 9-3 this year. A win to close out will make it 8-4. Even then, we had a roster full of freshman this year in a year where the SEC West was as deep as it's ever been. Just look at how far the defense has come since the Mississippi State and Auburn games (and even throw Florida in there). Sure our offense looks like hot garb, but I'm optimistic we can grow on that side next year. Mett didn't do all that great his first year here (even though it was way better than this year, I'll give you that) and then next year he improved a whole bunch.

The next year or 2 we should be scary good. If we have a season like this again for the next 2 years, then yeah it might be time to start thinking about making a change, but not until then

Texas fan on Miles:
*Previous Quote*

Basically this. It's like Stoops at OU.

Only idiots call for the end to one of the best things to happen to them. No one wins every year. Saban is a freak anomaly and expecting a once in an every 50 years coach to fall in your lap is just stupid. Bama hit the jackpot with Bryant and Saban. But ask Bama fans how that period between felt. Then ask them if they would have loved them some Les Miles in there for a stint.

They'd say sure, bring the Mad Hatter on. Cause for every Les there's 100 Franchiones.

Enjoy what you have if he doesn't blow donkey balls.

Mack Brown was a CEO coach who's assistant rolodex ran dry. I wouldn't trade his tenure for anything.

Now, I've seen Miles get lambasted for not being a national title threat on down years like Saban is. This sentiment is obviously a bit asinine, but it's also insincere. Yes, Saban is probably going to be in the playoffs during a down year, but let's compare their season and schedule to ours.

Our teams:
1. We both weren't very good at the beginning of the year.
2. Everybody knew that both teams would get better throughout the year.
3. Both of our teams hit their stride in the backend of mid season(week 7 for bama, week 8 for LSU).

Our schedules before we hit our stride:
1. Both teams played a good OOC opponent week 1. Both teams won in a close game. LSU played a stronger team, but Bama won a bit prettier.
2. Both teams played 2 cupcakes.
3. Bama plays a mediocre Florida team. LSU plays the elite Mississippi State. LSU has a 0% win rate against elite teams.
4. Bama plays the elite Ole Miss. LSU demolishes a cupcake. Bama has a 0% win rate against elite teams. LSU has a 0% win rate against elite teams
5. Bama plays a mediocre Arkansas and has their pivotal game. LSU plays the elite Auburn. Bama has a 0% win rate against elite teams. LSU has a 0% win rate against elite teams.
6. LSU plays a mediocre Florida and has their pivotal game.

Let's make an abbreviated list of what was already stated.
Bama's pre stride record:
1-0 versus good teams
2-0 versus cupcakes
0-1 versus elite teams
2-0 versus mediocre teams
5-1 overall

LSU's pre stride record:
1-0 versus good teams
3-0 versus cupcakes
0-2 versus elite teams
2-0 versus mediocre teams.
6-2 overall

Note: Both teams had their pivotal game against the second mediocre team of the schedule.

So going into their stride, which happened basically simultaneously, both teams had a 0% win rate against elite teams and a 100% win rate against everyone else. LSU and Bama have had very analogous seasons. The only real difference between us is that Bama won the head to head and had a more backloaded schedule. Nicky hasn't coached Bama better than Miles has coached LSU this year; Bama just happened to have a more favorable schedule and slightly less youth.

 

Was Arkansas mediocre, cupcake, or elite?

 

Yada yada yada. Its not so much that Miles lost games. We all expected that this year. Its the hardheaded stubborness that prevents the waterheaded wonder from learning from his mistakes and continuing to repeat the same old same old no matter what. I son't know about you but if I try to run through a brick wall 3 or 4 times and the wall always wins I'm going to look for a way around that wall. Not Lovable Les!

 

Mediocre. I don't know if you remember, but they would have beaten Bama if they hadn't freaked out about outplaying Bama. Plus, they're 5-5. If that's not a mediocre w/l record, I don't know what is.

This goes back to the title. The culprit behind our offensive failures is primarily the o-line. They're big, they're strong, but they don't know how to block.

Granted, Jennings isn't exactly bailing them out, but we should be able to beat everybody but the best of the best without significant contribution from the passing game.

Also, we really need to temper our expectations. At this point, every single SEC west team has a legitimate ball coach that will likely be there for a long time(unless Mullen jumps ship for Florida).

 

It is a bad w/l record when 3 of those wins are cupcakes and another is 3-7 Texas Tech and then LSU has to be the other.

That would be on the coaches then.

You sound like a run at all costs Les Miles kind of guy.

Yes, we should never expect Miles to develop a passing game.

 

Why do people keep quoting other football forums anyway?

 

I vote Lane Kiffin.

 

Im a Northern Tiger living in Green Bay Wi and made the trip home for Ole miss and witnessed a game for the ages.
I was at the Bert Jones to Davis...against Archie...my last Ole Miss game. My take on Miles..great coaching job to Beat the
Rebs, Badgers (they are still hurting up north over the loss) and Gators + scaring the hell out of Bama. Arkansas was gonna happen they were due and are a solid team.
Solid season Les a Bama win would have made you a hero..now a 0....The Packers have 3 losses and we are great..interesting how the measuring stick in College is lame..Suppose the Carolina fans will be calling for the Old
Ball Coach to hit the road...

 

@Mezmorizor These two posts you've quoted: when were they posted?

@William Ducote The UofSC fans have a contingent that have been calling for Spurrier to retire for over a month now.

 

So no one is to blame for an inadequate passing game 7 out of 10 seasons? You can't hold a HC accountable for that. The many great things that Miles has done should be acknowledged, but that doesn't mean you can't discuss his failings.