I don't think I've ever come away after a loss with as much anger and rage as I did today. I may get flamed (and redded) for some of this, but I don't care. Here's what I think: About the Offense: - Is it just me or does our two former star running backs look like they haven't gotten their legs back? Every time Broussard or Vincent got the ball, they seem hesitant or scared to run. Having broken a kneecap and torn everything there is to tear, I've been hesitant to walk, let alone run against 300 lb. players coming at me. But here's an idea: put the young blood in there. You can't tell me that the guys upstairs or ole Les hasn't seen this. Ever since after Vincent's freshman year and Broussard's ACL tear last summer, they've been a shell of what they were, running with little to no zip or speed. That second gear is gone. But with this being said, put Charles Scott in and let him try to run. Last week, when I saw Scott run (albeit It was Arizona), he ran like a mustang. He has good, young knees that still have speed. - Hester can run against low-class defenses such as the Arizonas and ULLs or the world, but against an upper echelon defense, like the one we played today, his legs are nearly no good. Keep him limited to an occasional run and short passes. - Because we cannot run against a good defense, we can't really throw either. Everyone would like to hang the "LOSS" on JaMarcus Russell, but the real "LOSS" goes to Jimbo Fisher, at least in the offensive department. I lost count at how many times we lined up in a Single I - Trips formation (where there are 3 wide receivers to one side, with one running back in the backfield). We would audible, bring the WRs to the opposite side of where they set, and would toss to the 'trips' side - the side where the WRs were. How many 1 to 2 yard gains and losses must you have before you figure out that this play doesn't exactly work every other run? As I watched this game in HD (which is really nice - too bad we lost), I called every time we audibled and where we'd be running. Sure enough, they'd toss to the 'trips' side and would get maybe 1 to 2 yards, and if we were lucky, we'd get 3 to 4 yards. Eventually, in the middle of the fourth quarter, I guess they figured it would be a good time to call something else. ** Minor frustrations on offense: Bowe dropped a couple of sure first downs, yet recovered a fumble for a first down, so I'm still not sold on him being this solid receiver that people seem to trust. He made a few good catches, so I will give him a You-finally-played-a-good team-but-get-used-to-it Pass. I'll do the same with Dickson, Hester, and Russell. About the Defense: - I don't think enough can be said about this defense. To only allow 7 points to a team, after being on the field for a large part of the game says a lot. To keep after the QB and give up only one successful drive to, I think, one of the top 5 backs in the nation is applaud-able. Too bad the offense couldn’t capitalize off of the good field positions in the first quarter and the interception. The defense can only do so much. ** Minor frustrations on defense: That PI against #37, where the INT by Daniels was called back sucked, but since this is his first time starting (I believe), I'll give him the benefit of the doubt - it's going to happen sometimes. About the officiating: - Officiating Woes That Bothered Me: - The Hester fumble out of bounds for a first down that was called back. He had TWO feet down, then fumbled for a first down. For the first time, the call was overridden and called an incomplete pass after just a few seconds of review. Where was the indisputable evidence? - The late hit/helmet-to-helmet on Hester out of bounds was not called. - The faked injury (What the heck was that about, wuss?) where an injury time out was called. If I'm not mistaken, if an injury timeout is taken, that player has to be subbed out the following play, to keep the team of possession from taking an un approved breather. But, to these reffs, it's okay to let the guy fake the injury, pop back up as if nothing happened, return to the sideline to catch a breath and drink, come back on the field, and take the following snap. I'm not really sure about this, but I think I'm right. - The rapage of LaFell in the endzone at the end of the half when we settled for a FG. I don't think Michael Jackson can get away with as much molestation as that DB did, yet there was a no call. - That last penalty that was called, finalized by an announcing of an official to the crowd, then waved off which, more than likely, cost us the game. Now, as I'm sure you already know, I'm not a NCAA officiating guru nor am I just saying this because I'm an LSU fan, but if you throw a flag, announce the penalty to the crowd, call first down for the offense, and when the offense is ready to line up, 12 seconds later you come back to wave off the flag and say there was no penalty is... garbage. I know that in every big game there is/are a play or so that the reffs screw up. In my opinion, the reffs screwed up a lot of plays, which in turn, kept the momentum in Auburns hands, despite our progresses on defense. If I could, I'd protest that those referees not officiate any more SEC games for the benefit of EVERY SEC football program, not just LSU. Final Summary: LSU should win the rest of our games, at least that's the way I see it. I think we can handle Florida, Tennessee, and even Fresno State, as long as we don't overlook them. Here's to a wonderful rest of the season!!! As for Auburn, from here on out, Auburn is playing for the championship. They will beat up on what's left of the SEC West, receive the SEC West title, and beat the SEC East champ to get to the national title game. I know that when we play next year, in our house, it won't be the same. And I thought I hated Auburn before...
Anyone agree about the running backs? Why does the coaching staff seem to think that we only have two capable RBs?
We really needed a pure speed guy today. Our only chance was to the outside and neither Ally, JV, or Hester were fast enough to get there.
The Auburn defense was too fast to get outside. It was tried a few times. Mississippi state ran on them right up the middle as we tried to do. But the Offensive line has to open some bigger holes. And they will. We will not play a better defense this year.
One side of my brain says perhaps one of the quick, young running backs might have been a good change of pace to try. The other side says do you really want to stick a young man with little experience, and none against the likes of the AU defense into a situation like that? Can you imagine the outcry if Les did and the young man fumbled to cost us the game?
This is what made Vincent who he is/was on the road to the NC in 2003 and what made Kevin Faulk the legend he is.
Thank you for mentioning the damn running backs! You know, JV looked awful last year and people made excuses for him. He looks bad again this year - given he is coming off knee surgery - but still bad. Broussard is not the same back....and Miles is being scrooge like by not giving the freshmen a chance. we had 43 yards on like 24 carries! Less then 2 yards a carry! Correct me if I am wrong, but we do not have a back that has rushed for 100 yards in TOTAL this season!!!! well, here is my positive thought for the night given we have a great defense..........remember back to 2003, South Carolina, Addai and Carey both out injured...........Saban starts Broussard and Vincent in the backfield as freshmen and we roll over a decent SC team....then the confidence builds and we all know how that story ended........... We may have had a bad call by the refs, but bottom line is if we are one dimensional on offense we will lose the big games almost everytime.
I understand what you're saying. Perhaps if the score would have been 14 - 3 I would be a little more inclined to try a change of pace. But 7 - 3 in the 4th quarter, I don't think I could pull the trigger if I was the head coach. And who knows, that's probably why I'm not wearing a goofy looking white cap on the LSU sidelines. :lol:
Not going to argue with all your points, but when Cox was injured but came back in the next play, it was because Auburn used one of its own timeouts after the injury timeout. You don't have to sit out a play when that happens.
