CFI Countdown: #6 LSU Tigers

2008 Record: 8-5 (SEC 3-5)
Bowl Game: Won Chick-fil-A Bowl vs. Georgia Tech 38-3
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Stadium: Tiger Stadium (94,000)
Head Coach: Les Miles
Overall: 70-32 (9th season)
@ LSU: 42-11 (5th season)
Link to LSU Football Page

We saw two different packs of LSU Tigers last season. One group went 8-5 in the regular season, including 3-5 in SEC play. That’s quite a drop-off from Les Miles’ first three seasons in the Bayou when the Bengals totaled 34 wins and won a BCS Title. Then there was the group that showed up for the Chick-fil-A Bowl and took it to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Which group will we see in 2009?

When the Tigers Have the Ball

Offensive Coordinator: Gary Crowton (3rd season)
Scheme: Multiple Sets
Starters Returning: Seven
Key Losses: WR Demetrius Byrd, OG Herman Johnson, C Brett Helms, FB Quinn Johnson

One of the major reasons LSU failed to reach their pre-season expectations was the inconsistent to poor play they received from the quarterback position. Neither Jarrett Lee nor Jordan Jefferson was ready for primetime as freshmen, although Jefferson impressed in the bowl game and appears to be primed for a breakout season. Jefferson still has progress to make as a passer, but his ability to run the football brings an added dimension to the offense. The most talented signal caller on the roster figures to be true freshman Russell Shepard, who is expected to take the field at some point this season. No matter who lines up at quarterback, LSU will be riding Chuck the Truck, senior tailback Charles Scott. He is a bruising between-the-tackles runner who figures to carry the workload in deep backfield. Fellow senior Keiland Williams provides quality depth and could start for many programs, while champion sprinter Trindon Holliday serves as the ultimate change of pace back and junior Richard Murphy is a very talented fourth stringer. They will be doing a lot of their running behind left tackle Ciron Black, one of the best in the nation, who returns to lead a very strong front five, although Brett Helms must be replaced at center. If the quarterback play is up to par, there’s more than enough talent at receiver for the Tigers to put up big numbers offensively. Brandon LaFell is arguably the top senior wide receiver, while junior Terrance Toliver hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface of his talent. Senior Chris Mitchell is a solid backup, with freshmen Chris Tolliver and Rueben Randle ones to watch. Somewhat overlooked is senior tight end Ed Dickson, who figures to play a key role in both the rushing and passing attacks.

Top Pro Prospects: 1) WR Brandon LaFell (SR), 2) RB Charles Scott (SR), 3) Terrence Toliver (JR)

When the Other Team Has the Ball

Defensive Coordinator: John Chavis (1st season)
Scheme: Multiple 4-3
Starters Returning: Six
Key Losses: DE Tyson Jackson, DT Marlon Favorite, LB Darry Beckwith, DT Ricky Jean-Francois, S Curtis Taylor

Not many teams have the type of quality or quantity that the Tigers do in the defensive backfield. Cornerback Chris Hawkins is a solid senior and sophomore Patrick Peterson possesses All-American type potential. The same could be said for junior free safety Chad Jones and sophomore strong safety Karnell Hatcher. Jones just oozes with talent with his great size/speed combo and there are high hopes for Hatcher, as well as fellow sophomore Ron Brooks. Senior Danny McCray expects to see a lot of playing time in a reserve role, just as he has the past two seasons. The top backup corner is Jai Eugene, who started last season as a sophomore. They lose a lot up front, but the cupboard isn’t empty. Senior end Rahim Alem came off the bench in 2008 and was a productive pass rusher—this season he will be asked to play a bigger role. Senior tackle Charles Alexander also provides experience, while Al Woods, also a senior, is still waiting to fulfill his potential. Woods is one of the more talented interior linemen but has been merely a tease to this point. Several young players will compete for playing time behind the starters. There is no lack of experience at linebacker where seniors Perry Riley and Jacob Cutrera, as well as junior Kelvin Sheppard all return. Former safety senior Harry Coleman will see time as a backup backer and in a new hybrid position the Tigers are developing. Defensive coordinator John Chavis was a good hire and should play a role in improving the defense in 2009.

Top Pro Prospects: 1) CB Patrick Peterson (SO), 2) FS Chad Jones (JR), 3) DE Raheem Alem (SR)

The Schedule

With Vanderbilt the only 2008 bowl team on the September docket, many of the cubs should be ready to play like Tigers when the heart of the schedule rolls around. They begin October with a trip to Georgia followed by home games against Florida and Auburn. In November they must take on SEC West favorites Alabama and Ole Miss—both on the road—making a West crown and trip to the SEC Championship game a tall task.

Pivotal Point

As a whole they must play to their potential, and nowhere is that more important than the quarterback position. Sophomores Lee and Jefferson, as well as freshman Shepard were all highly recruited. Not only did Lee and Jefferson fail to reach the productivity level of many of their predecessors, their mistakes were often the difference between winning and losing in 2008. Lee in particular made numerous costly errors, including seven interceptions returned for touchdowns—simply an astounding number. Lee owns a big time arm and Jefferson brings athleticism—each should be capable of doing the job in the SEC… if they can hold off Shepard.

CFI Final Analysis

It’s unfair to put all the blame on the quarterback play for last year’s disappointing five-loss season. Too often if appeared the defense thought all they had to do was show up and the opposition would roll over. How else do you explain allowing 31 points or more five times, including 51 by Florida and 52 by Georgia? They gave up more than 30 points three times in 2007, but only once in regulation. If the defense can bounce back under Chavis it will take heat off the quarterback and put the Bayou Bengals right in the mix along with ‘Bama and Ole Miss for the West crown.

College Football Insiders Top 25 Countdown:
The Next 25 (26-50) Plus 18 Bowl Teams
#25 West Virginia Mounainteers
#24 Tennessee Volunteers
#23 Clemson Tigers
#22 Pittsburgh Panthers
#21 Michigan St. Spartans
#20 Utah Utes
#19 Oregon Ducks
#18 Florida St. Seminoles
#17 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
#16 Boise St. Broncos
#15 North Carolina Tar Heels
#14 Penn St. Nittany Lions
#13 Mississippi Rebels
#12 Oklahoma St. Cowboys
#11 California Golden Bears
#10 Iowa Hawkeyes
#9 Virginia Tech Hokies
#8 Georgia Bulldogs
#7 USC Trojans

Photos Courtesy of SEC Sports Media, Steve Franz/LSU Sports Information

LSU coach Les Miles said his team isn't satisfied yet

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Les Miles isn't satisfied with LSU's West Division title in the Southeastern Conference, or the Tigers' rise back to No. 1 in the country.

Simply put, there's more work to be done.

``We enjoy being the West representative,'' the Tigers' coach said. ``But we have not accomplished what we want to accomplish. Nobody in our building is accepting any congratulations right now.''

Earlier this season, the Tigers won one game as the top-ranked squad before losing at Kentucky in triple overtime. LSU moved back to the top of the poll after routing Louisiana Tech 58-10 on Saturday, while Ohio State lost 28-21 to Illinois.

``We've been ranked highly all year long,'' Miles said at his media luncheon Monday. ``All our work is in front of us.''

The Tigers clinched a berth in the SEC championship game by virtue of losses by Auburn to Georgia and Alabama to Mississippi State.

The goal, however, is the BCS title game in New Orleans. LSU's final two games, against Mississippi on Saturday and at Arkansas on Nov. 23, appear to be very winnable. But Miles knows his team needs to be wary of a letdown.

While the Rebels (3-7, 0-6) haven't won a conference game this season, they nearly beat the Tigers last year. LSU had to rally to win in overtime.

``We expect the Ole Miss game to be a very competitive game,'' Miles said. ``We know we will get Ole Miss' best shot.''

The Tigers will finish the season on Nov. 23, at Arkansas (6-4, 2-4).

``At this time of the season, we have a chance to be at the top spot if we keep doing what we are supposed to be doing,'' Miles said. ``I understand what I have to do. I'm focused on the task at hand.''

Source: ncaafootball.com; Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

No. 3 LSU tops Saban and No. 17 Alabama, 41-34

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- Maybe now those folks at LSU can get over Nick Saban and relish what they have: a living-on-the-edge team that's still in the thick of the national championship race after another heart-stopping victory.

Les Miles' Cardiac Tigers did it again Saturday night, scoring two touchdowns in the final three minutes to rally No. 3 LSU to a 41-34 win over No. 17 Alabama, which should serve as payback for the coach who won a title in Cajun Country but is now considered a turncoat by the purple and gold.

LSU (8-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) pulled this out in typical fashion, going down to the wire in their fourth straight game.

Alabama (6-3, 4-2) went ahead on a 61-yard punt return by Javier Arenas with 7 1/2 minutes left, and the Crimson Tide was in position to clinch it when the Tigers faced fourth-and-4 at the Bama 32.

No problem for this team that went 5-for-5 on fourth-down conversions in a win over Florida that started this remarkable run.

Matt Flynn tossed a pass over the middle to Early Doucet, who shook away from one defender, faked out another and went all the way to the end zone for the tying score with 2:49 remaining.

Alabama got it back, but safety Chad Jones burst up the middle to sack John Parker Wilson and knock the ball away. It rolled along the turf until LSU's Curtis Taylor fell on it at the Tide 4.

Two plays later, Jacob Hester dove over from the 1 with 1:26 left and LSU was still in the title race.

LSU beat Florida and Auburn on its final possession and lost to Kentucky the same way. This time, the Tigers actually gave themselves a little breathing room, allowing Matt Flynn to simply kneel for the final two plays.

Saban, who led LSU to a share of the national championship in 2004 before leaving for the NFL, walked to midfield to shake hands with the coach who replaced him. Miles has faced constant criticism that he's not that great a coach, that he's simply winning with the enormous talent Saban left behind.

It must be noted, however, the guy who made the biggest play was recruited by Miles; Jones is a true freshman from Baton Rouge.

The game fully delivered on its buildup, the two teams going at each other like heavyweights throwing nothing but bombs. There were numerous big plays and amazing swings in momentum, but LSU came through when it mattered.

Flynn, whose three first-half interceptions helped Alabama get back in the game from an early 17-3 deficit, calmly drove the Tigers 84 yards in 10 plays for the tying touchdown.

Then the touted LSU defense came up with not just a stop, but a turnover.

Wilson completed only 14 of 40 passes for Alabama, but it seemed as though every one was a game-changer. He threw three touchdowns, hooking up with DJ Hall on a 67-yarder and hitting Keith Brown for scores of 29 and 14 yards.

Alabama, with two linemen and its top running back suspended over textbook issues, couldn't muster a running game. The Tide finished with just 20 yards on the ground and were outgained 475-254 overall.

After squandering its two-touchdown lead and falling behind, LSU finally responded with Flynn's 61-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Byrd in the final minute of the third quarter.

That was just the warmup for another down-to-the-wire finish.

The Tigers - well, their fans at least - had this one circled on the calendar ever since Saban returned to the SEC West just two years after leaving Baton Rouge to coach the Miami Dolphins.

Feeling betrayed, the LSU faithful couldn't wait to get back at the $4 Million Man, the annual salary that Alabama doled out to lure Saban away from the NFL.

After the clock struck zero, ending the four-hour-plus marathon, it seemed as though all was forgiven. Saban lingered on the field to shake hands with his former players.

Courtesy: NCAAFootball.com; Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

No. 5 LSU escapes No. 18 Auburn on last-second TD

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- Matt Flynn threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Byrd with a second left to lift fifth-ranked LSU to a 30-24 victory over No. 18 Auburn on Saturday night, keeping LSU's national title hopes alive and well.

With South Florida losing earlier in the week, LSU is certain to move up to at least third in the BCS standings, behind only Ohio State and possibly Boston College, which was idle this weekend.

Flynn finished with 319 yards passing and three touchdowns

Auburn's Brandon Cox, taking hits in the pocket but rolling out effectively when necessary, turned in a gutty performance, passing for 199 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

His last scoring pass, a 3-yard touchdown strike to Rodgeriqus Smith, gave Auburn a 24-23 lead with 3:21 to go.

But Auburn, following a game-long pattern of keeping the ball away from LSU returner Trindon Holliday, squibbed the kickoff, giving LSU the ball on its 42.

Flynn scrambled for 19 yards during the final drive, then took one more shot at the end zone as the clock wound down instead of getting the ball in the middle of the field to set up a potential game-winning field goal. He floated pass perfectly to the back of the end zone, where Byrd emerged from behind a defender and made a sliding catch, sending Tiger Stadium into a frenzy.

LSU extended its winning streak in Death Valley to 18 games. If that streak had been snapped, it would have been fitting if Auburn was the team to do it. Auburn came in on a three-game winning streak that included impressive road wins over No. 14 Florida and Arkansas.

LSU's Jacob Hester gave LSU a 20-17 lead, diving for the pylon on early in the fourth quarter after catching a swing-pass on third-and-goal for the 5. He led a patient rushing attack that amassed 169 yards, all but 40 in the second half.

Auburn led 17-7 at halftime after getting touchdowns on Cox's 17-yard pass to Montez Billings and Carl Stewart's dive over the pile, which was set up by LSU backup quarterback Ryan Perrilloux's fumble.

Flynn led LSU back with help from his best receiver, Early Doucet, back from a groin injury that had caused him to miss most of the last five games. Doucet made several clutch catches, finishing with seven receptions for 93 yards.

Source: ncaafootball; Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

Bluegrass Redemption: No. 17 Kentucky outlats No. 1 LSU, 43-37

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky became the latest team to shake up the national title race.

Andre Woodson found Steve Johnson open in the end zone for a 7-yard score in the third extra period and the No. 17 Wildcats stunned No. 1 LSU 43-37 Saturday.

Johnson was open because defender Jonathan Zenon tripped and fell down, and Woodson double-pumped before firing a strike.

LSU had a chance to tie, but couldn't get a first down on four straight running plays. Charles Scott was stopped a yard short on a fourth-and-2 run and Kentucky had it's first victory over a No. 1 team since 1964, when it beat Mississippi.

``Whenever it starts to look dark, that's when they dig down and find something extra,'' Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said.

No highly ranked team seems to be safe in this season of surprises. It started with Appalachian State knocking off then-No. 5 Michigan in Week 1.

In the last two weeks, nine teams ranked in the top 10 have lost, including No. 2 USC falling 24-23 to Stanford last week.

That helped LSU become a unanimous No. 1 in the AP Top 25 this week, a week after reaching the top spot for the first time since 1959. Looks like the Tigers' stay at No. 1 will be a short one.

Maybe No. 2 California or No. 3 Ohio State will the next No. 1 when the polls and the first Bowl Championship Series standing of the season come out Sunday.

Fans at Commonwealth Stadium stormed the field, in a scene reminiscent of 2002 - the last time these teams played in Lexington. Only that time, it was a false alarm because Devery Henderson scored on a 75-yard tipped pass as time expired in what is still known in Baton Rouge as the ``Bluegrass Miracle.''

``It proved we're a team that obviously earns a lot more respect now,'' Woodson said in the middle of the on-field celebration. ``We've come a long way from being a doormat in the SEC to competing with the best teams in the SEC and getting some wins.''

It was the first time in nearly four years the No. 1 team was beaten during the regular season. On Dec. 6, 2003, Kansas State beat top-ranked Oklahoma 35-7 for the Big 12 title.

Early on Saturday, it didn't seem like this game was heading to a miracle finish. It didn't seem like the Tigers would need one.

But starting with a minute left in the third quarter, Kentucky scored 13 straight points to tie it at 27. Both teams scored rushing TDs in the first OT and field goals in the second.

Woodson wasn't sharp early but completed 21 of 38 passes for 250 yards, throwing for three TDs and running in another. He largely had to carry the load with top rusher Rafael Little sidelined with a bruised thigh.

Woodson, who earlier this season broke Trent Dilfer's major college record of 271 consecutive passes without an interception, had two picked off Saturday.

The Wildcats took an early 7-0 lead after Woodson's tipped, wobbly pass was grabbed in the end zone by T.C. Drake.

The Tigers didn't wait long to answer. Two long runs - 27 yards from Trindon Holliday and 55 yards from Scott - set up Scott's first TD, a 1-yard plunge, to tie the game at 7. The Tigers tacked on another TD from Scott - from 13 yards out, late in the first half.

Kentucky closed the deficit to 17-14 at halftime when Woodson found Steve Johnson on a 50-yard post, then scrambled 12 yards untouched into the end zone.

Until late in the game, Kentucky did little against LSU's top ranked defense, which had allowed fewer than 200 yards a game.

Source: ncaasports.com; Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

Top-ranked LSU returns to site of 'Bluegrass Miracle'

By JEFFREY McMURRAY
Associated Press Writer

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - From the miracle of 2002 to the massacre of 2006, Louisiana State has found no shortage of ways to beat Kentucky.

It's fitting that the Tigers (6-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference), who suit up for a game as the nation's top-ranked team for just the second time since 1959, will debut their new ranking in Lexington. That's the site of arguably the most famous play in school history.

The Wildcats have lost four in a row in the series dating back to 1999, but the last time these teams met at Commonwealth Stadium, Kentucky's fans stormed the field, thinking Kentucky had prevailed.

Turned out it was a false alarm as Devery Henderson caught a tipped pass as time expired for a 75-yard, game-winning touchdown. It's still known in Baton Rouge as the ``Bluegrass Miracle.''

``I've seen that play so much,'' said Henderson, now with the New Orleans Saints. ``I mean after it happened, I saw it every day for two weeks straight, every day. I didn't get tired of seeing it.''

The No. 17 Wildcats (5-1, 1-1) and their fans did get tired of it, but more of a concern for them is last year's matchup, when they headed to Baton Rouge and were pounded 49-0.

Both teams went onto win bowl games - the first for Kentucky since 1984 - but that thumping was easily the low point.

``Clearly we're better equipped now than we were when we played them last year,'' Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said. ``I don't think there's a question about that. We're a much better football team, but we haven't seen a team yet this year that is going to give us the problems this team will.''

The Tigers are the only team in the nation to surrender fewer than 200 yards a game (197). They also average just 9.33 points allowed per game, second nationally. That adds up to a No. 1 ranking, although coach Les Miles tends to downplay such things.

``I am complimented by that but I don't make much of it,'' Miles said. ``Frankly, it is like being ahead at halftime. It is one of the scores that you don't care about. It is at the end of the game and end of the season that you care about.''

The Wildcats haven't played the nation's No. 1-ranked team since losing to Tennessee in 1998 or beaten one since Mississippi in 1964.

Kentucky certainly has the offense to chip into some of LSU's defensive eye-popping stats, including one of the nation's top quarterbacks, Andre Woodson. However, the Wildcats' offense relies on its balance, and top rusher Rafael Little may be sidelined with a deep thigh bruise.

``They do a lot of things well,'' LSU receiver Jared Mitchell said. ``It's going to be tough for us to get in a groove. It's going to be interesting to see how we start off.''

That's an even bigger focus for the Wildcats, who relied on fourth quarter comebacks to beat Arkansas and Louisville - teams that don't boast near the defensive of LSU. Going against the Tigers' defensive front, including Glenn Dorsey, whom Brooks calls ``a man among boys,'' Kentucky's players would prefer not to be forced to claw their way back.

``You can't get down in the first half and expect to come back in the second half and beat a team like that,'' Kentucky receiver Keenan Burton said. ``They know how to prepare, and they definitely know how to play.''

This matchup could have featured two top-10 teams instead of one, but Kentucky stumbled last week in a 38-23 loss to South Carolina. Unless the Wildcats right the ship quickly, one loss could easily turn into three in a row, as defending national champion Florida comes to Lexington next.

LSU beat the Gators in a classic comeback battle last week, in which Miles attempted five fourth-down conversions, including a fake field goal.

Along with that trickery, LSU features a two-quarterback system, using both veteran Matt Flynn and youngster Ryan Perrilloux. Brooks says they're both talented, but neither one individually presents as much of a threat as last year's starter, JaMarcus Russell, picked first overall by the Oakland Raiders in the NFL Draft.

On the other side of the ball, the Tigers will be trying to stop Woodson, probably the SEC's best pocket-passer, a week after stopping Tim Tebow, the best dual-threat. If they do, the question might be: What quarterback can't they stop?

``When it comes to LSU, you have to play a perfect game,'' Kentucky center Eric Scott said.

Source: ncaafootball.com; Photo: SEC Sports Media

CFI: THE SEC REPORT

BY RALPH GARCIA
SEC INSIDER

LSU 28 Florida 24
The Heavyweight Bout

As this game began both teams were aware this was a “must win” situation. For Florida, it would be their second loss in the SEC in as many weeks and possibly the end of their hopes to repeat. For LSU it was a chance to show the college football world that they belonged at number one for the first time since 1959. It started as a good game and turned into a classic. Like old school fighters -- they went to the center of the field and threw haymakers. They both landed hooks and uppercuts without flinching…each team refusing to hit the canvass. The youth of the Gators would not show on this night. They hung in tight and matched the Tigers punch for punch. The offensive line did a great job of holding All American tackle Glenn Dorsey all night. The Gators had three separate 10-point leads but could not overcome a hellacious LSU fourth quarter rally. When the game reached the championship rounds it was LSU Head Coach Les Miles making all the right calls from his corner. He went for it on fourth down five times and made it. He challenged a kick return that netted him about nine yards but that paid off too. Each of his decisions dictated the next one. Then with less than a minute to go LSU landed the knockout blow when they took their first lead of the night. It was 28-24 and all LSU had to do was wait for the ref to count out the Gators. In the end it was LSU left standing and looking towards a possible date not only in Atlanta but in the BCS Championship game as well for two title matches.

South Carolina 38 Kentucky 23
Wildcats not so ready for primetime

It was Thursday night allowing Kentucky and South Carolina to play in front of the entire nation. Looks like the Wildcats were not prepared for it -- armed with the number eight ranking and a Heisman candidate the team could not get its first win against Gamecock coach Steve Spurrier. He came in 14-0 against them and made it 15-0 clearly out coaching Rich Brooks. Less than five minutes into the game defensive end Eric Norwood scooped up an Andre Woodson fumble and ran it in from two yards out to make it 7-0. He would later tie an NCAA record with his second fumble return for a touchdown. That one was good for 53 yards. The Gamecock defense was hitting hard and showing its speed from the start. They forced Woodson to make bad decisions and costly mistakes. He had a chance to atone for the fumble but threw an interception deep in South Carolina territory to stop a threat. Rafael Little (135 yards rushing) also played his heart out, but it wasn’t enough. On offense, South Carolina quarterback Chris Smelley continues to improve with each game. This young team has bought into the belief of their coach that they are contenders now. The offense is clicking, as is the defense. Chemistry has made its way into the soul of this team and they are now sitting atop the SEC East. Remember before the start of the season…Coach Spurrier told them and anyone who would listen, that this team would compete for the SEC East. Well the ole ball coach was right -- back in familiar surroundings with a top 10 ranking and in the thick of things in the SEC. Can it be possible that this team will be playing in Atlanta for the SEC Championship? Looking good so far, but as we all know, there’s a lot of football left boys and girls.

Tennessee 35 Georgia 14
Vols come out fighting and get back in East race

At the team meetings during the week, it was said that the coaching staff was mad. They said the players were embarrassed by their lack of play. Up on the hill, the cries for Coach Phillip Fulmer’s head were louder than at anytime during his career at UT. The pistol was to their heads and it was time to respond -- the Volunteer faithful just wasn’t gonna take it anymore. Then Tennessee responded by absolutely dominating the Bulldogs. Backs Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty pounded any player that came near them.

"It was huge from a confidence standpoint and, as everybody knows, the SEC East is wide open," Foster said. "We'd had enough." The offensive and defensive line punished the Dawgs all day. Oh and the horrid special teams play -- all gone. They allowed a total of 66 yards in returns as they gave Georgia return men no room to move. Everything that was wrong was now right. Tennessee even used a trick play when LaMarcus Coker caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Lucas Taylor. They had over 400 total yards with 190 of it coming on the ground. They played with a chip on their shoulders and must now keep it there if they hope to run the table in the East. They control their own destiny now and are back in the hunt. Considering what this season was looking like last week, back in the hunt is not a bad place to be for UT.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

LSU 28 SOUTH CAROLINA 16

BY RAFAEL GARCIA
SEC INSIDER

Well looks like the ol' ball coach Steve Spurrier found where he measures against the SEC’s best now. The Tigers used a fake field goal for a touchdown, dominated the line of scrimmage and was just flat out too fast for the Gamecocks. Did you see when he threw a notepad down when LSU converted a key third down early in the first half? As for LSU, they showed the college football world they may be worthy of being #1 in the nation.

Key “Points”
1. LSU’s Trindon Holliday’s super-fast 33yd touchdown run.
2. LSU fake field goal where QB Matt Flynn flipped the ball behind his head to kicker Colt Davis who ran in from 15 yards for the score.
3. Mike Davis’s (S.C.) one-yard touchdown run to open the scoring. It was the first time LSU had trailed this season.

Big Hits
1.The Tigers offensive line was huge. They consistently pushed South Carolina’s young defensive line back, opening huge holes for their running backs to the tune of 288 yards.
2. At one point their center blocked a defensive player on the line then went around him to hit a linebacker on the same play.
3. The defense held the Gamecocks to a net rushing total of six yards.

Low Ends
1. South Carolina quarterback Blake Mitchell has a woeful first half and gets benched for Chris Smelley who put up some good numbers.
2. South Carolina’s defense had no answer to the LSU’s running game or their speed.
3. Steve Spurrier was so overmatched he switched his quarterbacks a few times in the game.

Into The Minds
1. LSU coach Les Miles had to change very little in his game plan. He knew that if his defense could stop the run it would be an easy day. That and the fact that S.C. quarterback Blake Mitchell had such a bad first half -- made it an easy day for the Tigers. He even had the confidence in his team when they missed one trick play by answering it with the fake field goal for a touchdown.
2. The ole' ball coach looked like he might go to 12-1 against LSU in his career. His team was in the game and playing pretty good defense until the fake field goal made it 21-7 and took the air out of his team. He spent the second half trying to catch up to a team that’s still a league above his team.