Yet it still doesn't matter, until the NCAA releases their findings. It's a cloud to you maybe, but as Chip Kelly says, "We don't base what we do on outside influences". The coaching staff seems to think and act like they're good to go, and that nothing major will come from it. Considering they have legal council (that's known for having schools dole out self-imposed sanctions), yet haven't done anything in the 2 months since they came to campus, is very telling. Historically when "The Cleaner" has come into a university facing major violations, within 2-3 weeks the university doles out self imposed punishments to try and make the NCAA happy. Oregon hasn't done this, so it gives the appearance that Oregon will get a wrist slap of some kind. It remains to be seen though.
Alumni. I also assume that your season ticket holders have some kind of "mandatory donation" that goes along with the price of the tickets. Oregon's ranges from $100 to $1000 depending on the seats. When you have stadium that hold over 92,000, they probably pull in $10-$12 million just right there.
You left one thing out, LSU doesn't have the best opening games. Last year, they almost lost to a NC team with half of their starters out on suspension. It doesn't matter who we're scheduled to play, it doesn't matter who's ranked and who's not. In the regular season, Oregon beat the teams they were suppose to beat, and beat every one of them handily (except the Cal game), like they should have. many of those games would have been more lopsided, but Oregon calls off the dogs in the 4th quarter, unlike some SEC teams (Cough... Florida). Sure LSU plays a tougher schedule, and it does add to the toughness of that team. It also makes that team a bit better in close games. But, it's the start of the season, and this 2011 team hasn't been through those battles yet, so who know how tough they really are. I don't think they even know yet, as no one has been battle-tested yet. I don't see 10+ spread either way. I see a FG at the most, and it can go either way.
LSU opened the 2007 season on the road in an SEC conference game...on a Thursday night. We won 45-0. See? Now I can take ONE example and declare it a trend. Just like you saying "You left one thing out, LSU doesn't have the best opening games" based on ONE example. You can do better. Tell me the last time LSU LOST an opener? (hint...it has been a while, and it wasn't under THIS coach) Miles first year was 2005. This is the year that LSU had to open on the road when they were supposed to be playing a home game, but unfortunately, due to Katrina, LSU was a triage center. 2005-@#15 AZ St. LSU 35-31 W 2006- ULL LSU 45-3 W 2007- @MSU LSU 45-0 W 2008- App St. LSU 41-13 W 2009- @UDub LSU 31-23 W 2010- UNC (neutral site) LSU 30-24 W How is it that LSU doesn't do well in openers again? Is it the road game 2500 miles away against UW that makes you think that? Bottom line is the capitol letter on the right...W.
You left out the fact that LSU hasn't lost an opening game under Miles. 6-0 in openers, 23-0 OOC in season (28-1 incl bowls), and 3-0 vs the Pac Ten(12) in six seasons under Miles. LSU wins by 10+ points.
Recent history serves best. 31-23 to a UW team coming off an 0-12 season, that Oregon served up 43-19 isn't exactly hitting on all cylinders to start the season. Follow that up with the NC game, and you'll see a trend... If your team is head and shoulders better than the team you're playing, you should beat that team handily. Anything less proves that they've struggled in the last two openers. LSU should have blown out UW and NC the past two years, but didn't. Oregon struggled in the Boise Game, but against a 12-0 team that year, with Oregon starting 4 new O-linemen (Not the lowly teams LSU faced- yes, NC was lowly with 12 starters out). Oregon re-grouped and got to the Rose Bowl.
LSU hasn't played ANYONE worthy in the their first games under Miles. Miss St was the closest, but they ended up being an 8-5 team, with only a wins vs. Alabama and Auburn to stick in their cap. -Again, weak opening weekend competition. -Weak OOC competition for the most part (Bowl Games excluded) -Pac 10 games vs. ASU, UW, and AZ aren't something to hang you're hat on. In the years LSU played them, they were 18-18. Not the toughest competition in the conference. Oregon was 27-8 in those three seasons. I'll take that bet!
Again, you are an armature poster. When LSU was up 30-10 to start the second half, we pulled the starters. We played over 20 freshmen that game. Obviously, it almost bit us in the ass. Now you can say what you want about UW, but they also beat a # 22 9-4 USC team…… Never mind the fact that LSU’s O was ranked 112th that year. Never mind the fact that of the past 10 years, 2008-2009 was the worst seasons of the decade for LSU….. Again, cool story bro Congrats on the Rose Bowl loss…….
VT 2007 Finished #9 that year 48-7 LSU....... What top 10 team has oregon beaten in the first game of the season under chip?
Oregon 2010 Opener: New Mexico (look out!) 2009: #4 Boise St L 2008: Washington ( Oh that crap team again)…… 2007: Houston ( Congrats?) 2006: Stanford ( LOL they won 1 game in 2006…..)
