I read a few weeks ago that Miles was going to let the players "break" this week for Christmas and then reassemble before heading to Atlanta. Is this still the case? Last year Miles did the same thing at OSU before their Alamo game against tOSU. On the other hand, the Ohio State players voted to stay at school and practice, primarily due to Smith being out and Zwick getting more practice time. Alamo Bowl: tOSU 33, Okie State 7. At Iowa, Ferentz has kept the team at school THROUGH Christmas for the past two bowls... ever since the Orange Bowl loss to USC. The kids are staying at school this year, too,... as Ferentz has stated the Hawkeye team, the State of Iowa, and the Big Ten, "deserve our best effort". With JR out,and Miles having lost two straight bowl games, I was surprised he is taking this approach to playing Miami. I know most teams break for the Holidays, I was just wondering about what you guys & gals thought about LSU's preparation approach to this (or other) bowl games????
I think LSU is scheduled is to practice through Wednesday & is off the rest of the week. They practiced Saturday & Sunday this past weekend so the preparation should be solid. All players are due in Atlanta on Christmas day. I think since we are not in the BCS series they should let them spend a couple of days with their families.
I know he had just given the team 2 weeks off... I'm not sure about giving the team another break for Christmas, but it's very possible. Pete Carroll said he only has 13 practices between the end of the season & bowl games & it's gone okay for him... I don't know. Personally, I'd be a bit worried but it's a tough situation - kids want to go home & see their families.
Kind of depends on how much you hope to accomplish by keeping everyone at school. With everything that has happened in Louisiana this year, you might also have to ask how team morale would be effected. Iowa has had a longer layoff so it may be more beneficial. If it will help you beat the Gators, go for it.:thumb:
I'd rather my kids be at home with their families for Xmas, than to be practicing at 50% with their heads not in the game... And Hawker, Miles lost to OSU, because they were worlds better than Okie St., not b/c of practice preparation
1) Each year the kids vote and each year it has been unanimous...probably because finals at Iowa are the week prior to Christmas week and practice is limited. (We do rank second to Northwestern in NCAA student athlete academic scores.) 2) "50% with their heads not in the game" is funny... that's exactly what Ferentz said after the Southern Cal game when the kids went home after finals week and reassembled in Miami for the Orange Bowl. 3) Most of the parents/families are at the Bowl for the entire week prior to the game. 4) Man, I hate getting up at 4:30 am just to call some Norwegian elves.
Normally I would not be to happy about it, but the phrase "extenuating circumstances" keeps popping up in my mind...
