Tennessee was a game under tough circumstances & I don't blame any of our coaches for the loss. In '06, I won't argue with Crowton winning that game versus Fisher, but we choked away the UF game & I don't think any OC could overcome the way we were playing. Fisher's offense, which typically have few turnovers, had 5 turnovers that game. Crowton's offenses typically have more turnovers, so just imagine how many we may have had with him at OC.
Coaching, and by extension, talent evaluation. Everybody can recognize the elite level talents. Great coaches can see the underdeveloped players with great ability. LSU excels at this, which is why we line up with the most talent in the country even when Rivals/Scout/ESPN recruiting rankings would indicate otherwise.
And I disagree about coaching not playing a role in the NC game. Florida completely outcoached Ohio St last year. Ohio St didn't make a single adjustment. And this year LSU outcoached them again, but not just with playcalling - with the psychological aspect of the game. Ohio St players were under too much stress & too focused on last year, while our players were lose & confident. Tressel made a big miscalculation with that one.
Considering the fact that Terry Bowden lost the best gig he ever had because of wholesale recruiting failures, he is probably the very last person to be afforded the consideration of being a credible source on the matter of who is doing a good job of acquiring talent. In an era where parity is at an all time high in the sport, it's ridiculous to think that there's not enough quality talent to go around. The programs that fuel their resources the best are also the same ones that are exhibiting success on the field.
Throw in Georgia, Kentucky and Arkansas and we've discussed every one of Miles' losses over the past 3 years in one short post. Let's see Irish fans try that.
Yep, only 3 times LSU lost in regulation. 34-3-3 in the old days of tie ballgames. Incredible. One of the 3 losses in that god awful officiated game vs Auburn. That leaves only Florida and Georgia as losses in excess of 4 points. We all know what happened in that Florida game (shotgun meet foot). Georgia was the only game LSU didn't show up at all and was dominated. 1 out of 40 contests in which we had no chance to win.
This is why I love the SEC. Playing in the SEC is a meatgrinder. It doesn't give you a chance to even think any game is an easy "W". You have to have to out out there with a CHIP on your shoulder EVERY week. Swagger means squat (and the Trojans are full of it)! USC needs to go out of conference and pick fights with the best of em to remind them of the importance of getting and keeping that CHIP!
