Nutriaitch;1017435; said:
As much as I hate to say this, I think that's how most Tiger fans see it too. I think part of it is that week 1, we had the most Vanilla playcalling I have ever seen, yet still beat Miss St. by 45 in the rain on the road. Then the following week, we just punched Va Tech right in the mouth and embarrassed them. Knowing that we're capable of putting on the kinda show has kept us high in the ratings. Not putting on that kind of show ever again (not even against Tulane) has Tiger fans wondering why?
I don't get to watch as much college football as I used to, but because of when they usually play, I have gotten to see LSU for the majority of at at least 5 games that I can remember.
As to wondering why, and vanilla playcalling.... I think this is your coach and his personality (and I'm not talking about batshit crazy, though I agree with that). In a way its good, and, in a way its not. Whether LSU is the most talented team in the country is important from this perspective, what is important is that Miles believes that is the case. As such, he is [maybe bullheadedly] determined to impose "the will" of that talent on your opponents.
Now, this is a reasonable school of thought, I mean, if you're better, why sling the rock all over the field or do anything stupid? I understand that. I do. Tressel does it all the time. But, there are lots of factors that play into things... and... in the 4th Quarter you have to adapt. I don't think Miles is all that good at that. (I think he pretty much sucks as a clock/possession/field position manager).
On the other hand, it lost LSU two games and nearly the Florida game.
There was a point when I pretty much thought that LSU's talent was winning despite Miles, and some of the playcalling just dumbfounded me, yet LSU's athletes made a lot of that stuff work anyway.... (Some of the screens... Passes to the RB's etc on 3 and long they do late in games is dumbfounding. Having said that, I do kind of like that he goes for it so often on 4th down.... but, you have to question sometimes why LSU are in 4th down with the game on the line so often, I imagine).
At any rate, I guess my point is that LSU has athletes and I sort of like the strategy, just don't feel Les makes good adjustments.
Just generally... I think Miles will do everything he can to establish the power run... maybe they can do it, maybe they can't. But, if that's the case.... at least from the perspective of LSU's offense, "SEC Speed" won't really matter that much.... I don't care how fast you are, you're not getting many corners on sweeps, etc.
As to the Defense... my general impression is that Ohio State's was a tick better with Dorsey, and quite a bit better since he got hurt. As to who is tougher? Well, I'd say TBD, each side is gonna get the biggest knock in the mouth they've gotten yet. With the exception of maybe LSU and Florida, and that was a close game, and I don't expect much else in this one.
As to the discipline comments, this is probably a very prejudiced view but I really see this as an SEC wide issue. Both as far a penalties and general extracurriculars. Dunno where the officiating crew will be from, but, if its from the Pac-10.... they better tell the LSU guys that if they make a big play they better hand the ball to the referree and jog back to the huddle. If its from the ACC, Ohio State better bring the KY.
