The sky is not falling but things are just disappointing

Before I get flamed, I am not saying the sky is falling I just needed a forum to vent where people might not sympathize but at least are familiar with the subject and the details also.

The 2011 football season could not have started any better, LSU was not supposed to compete for a National Title this year by most experts thoughts for a whole host of reasons but the tough schedule and road game was the number one concern. It was 2012 that the experts were saying that we had a chance for a NC because of maturity of the defense and the much more favorable schedule. So to have our Tigers just absolutely start demolishing people was exciting to watch and cheer for. Our recruiting class started to build real early and the recruits were highly touted along with some recruits that we thought we actually had a great chance of landing going forward that were thought of very highly. Our QB play "THROUGH THE FIRST 8 GAMES" was as good as it could be, look at the stats.

Then we went to Bama and played lights out and came away with a win in what can only be described as WWIII, both teams players said it was the hardest fought game they ever played. And even though we won the game everything started to turn south from there. Our QB play after that game was never the same "for some un-explained reason" our coach thought he could actually do better with another QB at the helm when our the QB that started the first 8 games "4 against ranked opponents" had the highest QB rating in the SEC and in the top 10 in the nation. Our coach decided he could improve on our QB play which when we played the next 2 opponents WKY and Ole Piss it was like playing a high school so anyone would have been proficient but when we played Ark & GA the flaws of our newly installed starter were once again brought out and showed in force and if it were not for our defense and special teams in both those games we truly would have been in trouble.

But we were 13-0 and our recruiting was looking great as we had 5 star guys coming out of the wood work saying they wanted to play for us. The Landon Collins burst our bubble and said he was going to Bama then Jan 9th came and took our breath away and ever since then it has been like a bad dream prized recruits that had committed flipped and we lost recruits because of that and then other recruits that said they were very interested now say they are not. Life will go on at LSU and we will be successful it just feels very disappointing that the best season in LSU history 13-0 didn't end better for us and we are not reaping the rewards as much as I personally feel we should have on the recruiting side considering how successful LSU was last year, this year and what is projected already for next year. I would have thought more highly touted young men from out of state would have really wanted to be part of a program that is considered one of the best in the country since 2003. We know that our Louisiana boys want to be part of the Tiger Nation except for the few "Janzen, Mcknight, Reed, Collins etc..." but I would have truly thought more highly touted out of state recruits would want to be a part of this. I am not saying we don't recruit well outside the state I would just hope we land more of them and would not have the disappointments.

It just seems like things should be a little easier for us because of our success. Then again what do I know pretty much nothing!!!! :rolleye33:

 

LA has an astounding amount of great football players coming out of high school. Yeah, I have been a Tiger Football fan for over 50 years, but I am always stunned when a LA kid goes out of state. Just doesn't seem right. I mean, about the best a North Carolina kid, staying in state and going to UNC, can hope for will be to get some good tickets to the Dean Dome for B-ball. While a LA kid gets to play at Tiger Stadium. Dayum.

 

In the 2011 class of high school players we had 87 players from the state sign with schools. This is 1 kid for every 52,108 people in the state of La. This is #1 in the nation. You can't sign everyone. The next thing is ratings or as most call, the stars. Its been known that every service rates the kids with "their rating" nothing wrong with this, just at times not too consistent. Many times the local guys here have to push players for higher ratings, thats just the way it is. Look at the offers TM7, Mo and so many others got before geting to LSU. Thats just the way it is. Many times a good staff can see a for what will be, not what is. How a player will develop most times comes into play. With this class, there isn't a great need at most positions. Thats a great thing, we are middle heavy, this means lots of Jrs and Sophs on this roster for next year, only 10 Srs., 11 counting Josh D. LSU is looking for players to add depth, remember the last two classes (2010 and 2011) we had 10 players from each play each year, thats a total of 20. LSU has done better than most mixing the older players with the ones straight out of high school.
Don't get too caught up in the numbers game, but I will tell you two things. We haven't finished the class and next year the state looks to be loaded, 5 TE could end up signing with colleges, there are 4-5 guys that could end up being "The Best Player in the State." I see where Dandy Don has his 7-100 top players in the state. That 1-6 is gonna keep him busy, thats how close it is. He said that he will finish the list between now and Feb.1st. He does a great job with his list and knows players and coaches both in high school and college. This year wasn't a bad year, but like I said, next year is one to keep an eye on. Tiger Rag has its Dozen top players in the state, we got 10 of the dozen.

Having seen many of the players this year, talking with coaches and other in the profession, LSU has done well picking talent, and filling needs. Sit back and enjoy.

 

Very well said and I trust this staff's evaluation of talent. The guys that do not choose to come here will be wishing they had when we are right back at the BCS next year.:tigereye:

 

LSUDad - I don't disagree with what you said and nothing is perfect. LSU is definitely doing really well and Les Miles has a lot to do with it. Fortunately Saban got things going for us because the late 80's and 90's really sucked. We are definitely around the top of the hill and no where near the bottom, that being said we could improve "like everyone" in certain area's.

I was just saying I wish Miles had understood that age old saying "if it is not broken - DON'T FREAKING FIX IT" - Our offense was working well before JJ was inserted as the starter, and things went south from there - That is fact not fiction just look at the stats it says it all. Hopefully Miles has learned that valuable lesson but unfortunately that lesson came at a steep price in my opinion.

And second I too have been following recruiting for a very long time graduated in 79 and it just seems that even with the success our program as had over the last 10 years it is still more difficult to recruit than it should be given the level of success we have had. That is not saying we are not successful in recruiting we are, it just seems it should be a little bit easier than it has been with the program we have built. Our coaches have obviously done well, given our success I just wish it was easier for them that is all.

That being said 2012 looks to be another great year for Tiger Football and hopefully Miles can pull a rabbit or two out of his Mad-Hatter on signing day, unfortunately I think the rabbit is already cooked and we know what we are having for dinner next week.

 

Recruiting, yep, I've been following it a while, do you know who the "Godfather of Recruiting" is?

Like I said, it isn't over till Feb. 1st. Remember LSU had a few go past signing day, can you name a couple? So even then some may go past signing day.

 

With the frequency LSU plays in the big dance, Les has a great recruiting tool. "You want to play in the BCSCG come to LSU we play every 4 years."
Who else can say that! Their are a lot of 1 and done out there.

 

Wow with that great logic I guess Saban will now go out and say "Hey if you want to win the BCSCG every other year come to Alabama" - Come bro, get a grip!!!!:dis:

Read my posts I have said we have a lot to offer a lot more than most programs. All I was saying is I wish it was a little easier for our coaches to recruit top players from across the nation given the success the program has had over the last 10 years, that was it.

 

LSUDad come on keep it real, if you are saying the last 15 days of recruiting have been what a big success I will say I don't believe that to be true. Did we get verbals from Hill & Patterson "two players that were almost 100% locks" yes we did that is a plus, but losing Kiel and Miller along with other highly rated prospects passing on the Tigers this past week I would say all in all it has been disappointing with a couple of bright spots that is it. And for a team that went 13-0 in the regular season and made it to the dance that is just a little bit less than I was hoping for that is all.

 

I feel you dudebro, but it's done. It's over. Time to move forward. Yeah it sucks, and we can all sit around and discuss, but the time for feeling bad about it is over. No ill will, or bad feelings, or depression is going to change what happened. All we can do is hope it's fixed and we drum Alabama this November.

We need to all put that game behind us and move forward. Sure we can sit around and talk about it, no problem with that, no problem with criticism, and skepticism going into next season, all that is warranted, but the time for the sad face is over.