how about a top 10 defense is points scored against (this year we are 12th) and a top 50 offense in points scored (this year we are 60th). Gradual improvements that should please everyone .
What is difficult to achieve is balance. For the most part, if the pace of the game is to establish the run and use the run to set up the pass, it shouldn't be impossible. When the Hill kid started the third with the big TD run, the Clemson D was officially on their heels. Now lean on them. Make them stop it. In essence make their butt quit, if they can't. That's what power football teams do. For Hill to not touch the ball in the 4th quarter after averaging 10 yards a pop, clearly indicated LSU got away from the run first balance they needed. Run blocking is so much easier for the O-line and with all those freshmen that have only recently been integrated into the mix, it was foolish to abandon the tried and tested run first. Not when the freshmen road-craters had started to dominate their opponent. What's most ironic about all this is that Miles DNA is to run, run, run. It was another gameplan where LSU was trying to reinvent the wheel, after the wheel had proven it could pretty much run over anything in it's path.
I think it's crazy to be discussing whether Les Miles should be fired, particularly since you just gave him a hefty raise and extension. I would take Les Miles as my Coach in a heartbeat .... and I wouldn't lose any sleep over my decision.
you cant be serious, how about throwing the ball with 2 minutes left, instead of running it and making Clemson use timeouts. How about Mett, rolling out and missing a wide open Landry by a quarter mile. 100 plays for the defense, no defense is in that good of shape physically, not one on earth
Was at the game with my son and Dad. Very disappointing performance. Can tell you that we were at the pre-game "FanZone" and when the team did their walk-thru at 5 p.m. they didn't look motivated or focused. I realize this is a very subjective evaluation but after hearing that the fan base wasn't excited about the Chick-Fil-A Bowl and didn't travel well as a result, it was hard not to think that it didn't transfer over to the team and coaching staff. During the game it was like the team would display their physical superiority and take a lead then rest on their laurels like they thought Clemson would just roll over and quit. It was pathetic and I cannot tell you how many times I thought to myself, "Why in the hell did I drop a grand on this?" Clemson fans around us at the game were great fans and good sports. There was definitely some booing when our players started cramping up late in the game that was totally classless but I think a good deal of it was coming from their "student" section. The older Clemson fans around us didn't approve either. That said, on a lighter note, on the way home yesterday my son tells me, "Dad, I guess it's no wonder that Clemson beat us...." I asked him what he meant and he quickly added, "Well, Alabama named their whole team after them." I told him I didn't know what he meant and he told me, "You know, the Alabama Clemson Tide." It was too cute to correct so I just shook my head and said, "good point."
Yes, I attended the game as well (rooted for LSU) and agree with you that LSU appeared to be flat in the pre-game. Ellington is a slippery RB and was very effective against the front LSU was scheming. I thought Chad Morris had a very well thought-out strategy for neutralizing LSU's considerable defensive depth advantage. Regarding the boos from Clemson fans, many felt LSU was purposefully using player "injury" as a way to stall the HUNH. The reason? On several occasions the "injured" player would return to the playing field within a play or two. It was something I noticed too, but I don't think it made a difference.... if anything, it only encourages the offense to run it even faster.
