Weighing in on the state of LSU football 2009

While I was disappointed as anyone last Saturday, I'd say we still have a chance to salvage this season and beyond. As posted in another thread if we can go 10-2 or possibly 9-3 which are both doable and have another resounding bowl victory this season could be considered a success.

The major key is what CLM does with this team the rest of the way. If we drop 4-5 games as we did last year you have to believe the heat will be on him and the entire football program.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I think the defense is finally living up to potential despite what I think is a weak front 4. It reminds me so much of what happened when Bo Pelini came in and it took 3-4 games for the defense to get it. The nickname for Pelini at the time by many on this board was Tepperlini. LOL. He proved many of us wrong and became one of the best DC in LSU history. I think these guys are buying into Chief.

Offensively, something is just flat out wrong. I wonder if Crowton/Miles are so paranoid because of what happened with Jarrett Lee last year that they have just put the handcuffs on Jefferson or have drilled into his head "just don't throw a pick". The other side is the kid just isn't ready.

Lastly, the state of Les Miles demeanor is one that will be watched and scrutinized over the last 6 games. We still have a chance to have a very good season I think that decision is up to Miles himself. Will he be stubborn and stick with JJ if he continues to struggle? We we make changes on the O-line where needed? Will he continue to not use Shepard and Randle? I'm not willing to predict what he will do but I'd say it's still there and we all know this offense is loaded with talent at the skill positions.

Let's hope CLM has what it takes to make the adjustments.

GEAUX TIGERS!

 

The D is in great shape.

I think they will only get better as the season progresses.

If CLM doesn't make changes and at least try to open up the O, and we close badly, it will reflect poorly on him and Crowton.

If he has the guts to make the offensive changes and we still finish poorly, he will be better off because he at the very least tried to go another way with it.

 

so what do you do? If you were Miles what would you do?

Would you throw caution to the wind, and let it all hang out, and any other cliche that would fit? Throw the Freshmen out there, and see what you have to make a run for 2010? Or do you stick to your guns and gameplan and focus on still winning the SEC? Or, would by throwing caution to the wind, and letting it all hang out, help out this year?

 

Randle plays as much as a #3-#4 receiver would be expected to play. The QB isn't getting anyone the ball downfield to speak of.

Shepard, well, you look at his fumbles and what happened in the UGA game and tell me why he didn't play against Florida.

 

We are all frustrated with the offense but we are 5-1 and control our own destiny. I dont see why you throw caution to the wind at this point and plan for next season. That would be stupid when we can still accomplish all our goals for this year. Now, if we lose another game or two OK but not now.

 

I agree with you, by the way. I actually think in order for us to have a chance this year we need to simplify the offense. But i know there are alot of people out there who think that if we just start chunking every weapon we have at every opponent we will dominate everyone. To me this team just looks clueless on offense, and the last thing we need is to throw more wrinkles into the offense and confuse them even more.

 

And I think thats what Miles is hinting at. I look for a steady dose of simple power running football with some play action mixed in against Aub. They are going back to basics and it will work on Aub. Their front 7 is thin. It might be an interesting thought to start running all this razzle dazzle but I doubt Miles thinks we are capable of that when we cant even run the basic offense they've been practicing all year.

 

Hey I want to go 12-1 and win a NC, still within our reach. Granted we dont look so hot on offense, but its only one loss, win out replay FLA and this time not be so freaking nervous, play wide open and we are in the NC game. Until proven otherwise that is what I believe.

 

Any year that we do not make it to Atlanta, I consider a disappointment. The degree of that disappointment is relative, though.

Kal, if your hypothetical scenario comes to fruition, we finish the regular season 8-4, and we win our bowl game to finish 9-4, I would consider that a very minor disappointment. That's a decent season that didn't quite end the way I wanted. However we get there is irrelevant to me, as long as we are giving our players the best opportunities to succeed. At this point, I don't think we have done that. For whatever the reason may be, inexperience at QB, on the OL, depth on the OL - whatever - I want to see it addressed. What we are doing isn't working, so we need to do something else. Period. That may not work, either, but at least we tried.