October 04, 2010

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The Tennessee Game!

Unbelievable!  Embarrassing!  A Moral Defeat!  Debacle!  Bizarre!  Ineptness!  Sorry!

These are just some of the words that come to mind when talking about the Tennessee game as a whole and the ending of it. 

Let's cut straight to the chase.  I don't believe in unduly criticizing coaches or players.  We are all human and sometimes things just happen.  However, after the same things occurs several times under similar circumstances it becomes a pattern.  This is my 56^th year of watching LSU Tiger football.  I have seen many a great win and many a heartbreaking loss.  But until this past Saturday, I have never been so embarrassed to be a Tiger fan.  I have been embarrassed by the play on the field on occasion, but never have I been so embarrassed by the ineptness of a coaching staff as I was Saturday.  These people have been around the game a long time.  They have played it, and to get this position in their profession, have coached it a long time.  They are paid well to make the decisions in tough situations.  You would think they would know how to anticipate a play or two ahead in a game situation.  For the third time in less than a season, this coaching staff has failed to perform properly in a pressure situation.  They failed against Ole Miss last season and against Penn State in the Capital One Bowl.  Now, they did it again.  It is irrelevant that they won the game on a penalty.  It is the fact that this staff apparently doesn't know what to do in pressure situations.

A few observations:

Last Monday at the press luncheon, Les Miles said about West Virginia, “They were a capable team.”  Why didn't he just say what a normal person would say?  And that is, “They were a good team.”  Why did he have to be cute?

Also, at that news conference he said at least six times “to be honest with you” during his sentences.  If you have to say it that many times, my guess is you aren't being honest.

Miles' quotes in the post-game Saturday used the word “they” when referring to HIS team.  I really think that says a lot about his attitude when things go wrong.  He should have used the word “our.”

I think that is a little thing that points to the fact that he doesn't see this as his mistakes but as mistakes that belong to someone else.

Here's another thought about  Les Miles.  I had a friend who at one time said that the difference between being ignorant and stupid is that one is temporary and the other is permanent.  I am beginning to think that Les Miles might have the permanent stuff.

Miles still has an opportunity to turn it around this season, but like most Tiger fans I wouldn't bet on it.

It is a shame that the return of Jarrett Lee and that final drive he directed, and the clutch passes that he made on it, are so overshadowed by the ineptness of his head coach.

I have never had confidence that LSU could win this game.  I still don't think they will.  However, I do think they have a better chance than before because with Lee at quarterback, they are capable of putting up more points than before.  However, it still won't be enough.  The beginning of the end starts Saturday.

Until next time, may the good Lord Bless and keep you.

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