At least the way I'm seeing it. There are two factions on this board. (Duh!) There are the anti-Miles faction (of which I admit I wasn't happy with this hire) I'm sure Miami wasn't thrilled about Johnson's hiring after Howards reign with his (Johnson's) almost same record as Miles from OSU. And the pro-Miles faction. (I'm hoping I'm dead wrong about this hire) The anti-Miles faction are depressed about the loss of Saban. Understandable. Big shoes to fill and the cards are stacked against Miles because of this. What this group doesn't want is to slip back into the mediocre days, ie. DiNardo, etc. Putting up with mediocrity for two, three or more years. Whatever that mediocrity means......8-3 or less seasons. This faction, which I'm a part of, is worried about settling for less for awhile before making ANOTHER move if Miles should prove to be less than what we wanted. The pro-Miles faction is seen from the other side (anti-Miles side) as 'settling' for mediocrity which could mean 8-3 maybe even 7-4 which could include out of conference losses as long as we have a 'shot' at the conference championship. For some that's okay and to others that's not okay. The faction that doesn't want to go back into the mediocre days doesn't want to 'settle' because we got a taste of two SEC titles and a national championship under Saban. That too is understandable. This faction wants Spurrier type seasons even if it means one NC while having several 10-1 or 9-2 seasons with several SEC titles under our belt. I think we ALL have the same fears. It's what Saban wondered about when 'talking' with Emmert. He wondered why a program of LSU's stature was so-so for so many years. We all have the same concerns. It just seems we can't come together on the clear definition of what 'acceptable' seasons are. What are we as LSU fans willing to accept. Is it 2 out of 3 or 4 seasons winning the SEC title with hopefully a NC within the next five years? There is some luck and good fortune involved in winning it all. We want to be a USC or a past Bear Bryant Alabama or Switzer OU program. Alot want to consider a three loss season a disaster and some consider that a success if a SEC title is won. We ALL want a dominant intimidating program. Maybe this is unrealistic. For some nothing less is acceptable for others it's an acceptable goal. We all want the same thing. I agree.......we need to give Miles time. The problem is how much time is acceptable. In the past some have considered that TOO much time was given to some coaches (Hallman). It really depends on Skip I guess. I hope Skip and the alum and whoever else doesn't intefere (politics) with Miles. Leave the guy alone and let him run the football program. Give him.......what?......three years? More? I don't know. Many on this board are willing to be patient. Many are not... only because of what they've seen in the past. I think those that don't want to be patient are really worried about what they see as the 'tolerance level' of the past administrations......(Joe Dean, Broadhead......?) Maybe I'm wrong. Flame away.
I really don't think we have a choice on being patient... so we might as well be. I'm in the middle. I don't know how Miles is going to be, but I hope he winds up even better than Saban. :shock: :grin: :hihi:
Saban was not God and Miles is not Satan. I will be honest, Miles so far has scared the crap out of me. It is very easy to fall back into an also ran, but it is a little early to start calling for his head. Let him coach a couple more games against some top SEC teams and then decide if he is learning and improving.
Anything less than a shot at the SECC with this talent is unacceptable. If you can't win with this team, well...............who can you win with?
Saban was the best coach in college football when he left. He might be the best in the NFL right now. It's a tough act to follow. The jury is still out on Miles, but we will learn a ton by watching how this team performs down the stretch this season. I'm anxious to see how this thing plays out.
What's considered 'a shot' at the SECC? Getting to the game itself and maybe winning or losing it? Missing out of the SECC by one loss? Again.....believe me, I'm not arguing......but the debate on both sides are very valid. I admit. I'm stuck. There are many folks that post on here that represent both sides that I admire. Some are cocky and arrogant. Some are idiots. Many on both sides have had compelling arguments. Isn't college football great?
That stretch is NOW. This is a must win against UF and I expect the atmosphere to be alot like UGA '03.
