I've seen this mentioned on several other threads after last night's Troy debacle. Thought it could use a separate thread. Aside from lack of depth, numerous freshman in the lineup, and injury issues, I am curious as to what we should be looking for relative to a team possibly quitting on the coach. Is this really possible only five games into the season, considering O's success as the interim last year? Curious as to what others think about this.
What's wrong with the LSU Tigers? 'They're soft' https://sports.yahoo.com/whats-wrong-lsu-theyre-soft-061543680.html
The effort is disturbing and a red flag. However, if LSU simply doesn't have the talent or experience to play at the lvl they thought they would be playing at, it's only human nature for the players to get down, especially during the stretch where they are realizing their hopes are crashing and burning. Still, something to keep a close eye on. I've been more concerned with the effort on defense, so don't know why the Yahoo article keys on the spread offense.
I saw that article, and Booger McFarland tweeted the same this morning. The question is why, though? What happened between last season when O went 6-2 as the interim coach, where we ended the season on a high note by shutting down the Heisman winner, and this season? I don't understand what's going on.
Williams did some decent north-south running against Troy. To be complaining that the spread offense is not smash mouth football seems misguided, especially as a core cause of lack of effort. Every single person who ever complained about Les's philosophy of 3 yards and a cloud of dust should bang their heads on a wall about complaints of not running north south enough.
I think the DL is not up to standards bad recruiting last 2 years. We missed out on getting Ed Oliver and Daylon Mack we had great shots at both big loss not getting them. Lawrence and Alexander hurt, Herron not playing, Shelvin not playing and Key either out of shape or not inspired. Those are our 5 best defensive lineman not playing and thats huge. Just as bad is that the offense is not helping the defense by scoring and or keeping the defense off the field tiring them out and probably demoralizing the defense further. Because of this I am not going to get on Aranda's case. I will howerver get on O's and Canada's case. This was their collective loss last night. Been pumping sunshine for O and Canada but done with that. Looks to me the like the kids have not bought into what Canada is selling. Offense looked much better under Ensminger.
Seems pretty clear that Canada would like to be doing things very differently, but is constrained by the personnel. The passing game you want is one of the most complex styles to implement and this team is struggling even with the basics. Yes it's been ugly, but it may not be the coaches' fault.
When you step in as an interim, you walk into a situation where the staff is already in place, everyone already knows what they are supposed to do and you just have to say the right things and stay out of the way. The players are fired up because they are either excited about the change or angry that their coach is gone and you get maximum effort. When you're the man, you have to control everything. Hire your staff, worry about recruiting, boosters, speaking engagements, etc... and all that shit is worse in the off season and leading the start of the season. In addition to all that, you have to determine the direction your team will take, Xs and Os wise, and set the tone for the entire program. I don't believe O is capable of handling a tenth of that responsibility. O has delegated all authority to his coordinators. He has already told us his plan is to stay out the way let his coordinators do their thing. I don't think anyone is really in charge at this point and the coaches know it, the team knows it, and the fans are just realizing it. O can't fix what has gone wrong with LSU... there is nothing in his resume that even suggests that he is capable of managing a program. Nothing. And no binder or catchy new team slogan is going to turn this shit show around...
