Look, the domination that Alabama put on LSU this past Saturday night was on full display for the nation to see, which include several recruits and those who were in attendance in Tuscaloosa.
I don't think the sky is falling and every thing is hopeless but I also understand there issues LSU must address if they are to get on an equal
footing with Alabama. If LSU is going to ground and pound with them, they have to recruit equal or better athletes at the line of scrimmage (both lines of scrimmage) or if not that, they need to tweak their offensive philosophy spread things out and create mismatches.
I think they need to have a combination of both. I believe the recruiting equation will improve with the addition of Ed Ogeron and Kevin Steele to the staff. John Chavis and Brick Haley were not aggressive recruiters. The talent gap, especially on the line of scrimmage has exacerbated in the last few years, which lead to the result on Saturday night. It has started to be addressed with the addition of Jeff Grimes to the staff in 2014. The Tigers have pulled some great offensive line prospects during previous two recruiting cycles. The coaching is better in that area than the previous coach. The coaching along the defensive line has also improved with the addition of Ed Ogeron.
As for the the offensive philosophy, it appeared leading into the Alabama game that things had turned the corner. Brandon Harris was progressing nicely. The receivers were making big plays to help compliment a strong ground game. This lead to many posters including myself to believe that LSU was going to break the streak this year. Well, it didn't happen, but I am not one to believe that it won't eventually happen. LSU will have to make adjustments to make it happen, but they have the ability to compete for championships and possibly being
back another SEC or National Title.
Charles Hannagriff made the point on Saturday night that in the 1990's that Steve Spurrier was worth 7-10 points in every game. He says that the same holds true for Nick Saban, and as good as he was at LSU, he is even
.much better at Alabama as he learned from his experience in Miami.
That is the reality that Tennessee dealt with in the 1990's and what LSU deals with today, but Tennessee did find a way to win a National Championship in 1998. The same can happen again at LSU. I am not saying it will, but I am not giving up hope.
I think a quarterback like Zack Mettenburger is best for Cam Cameron as LSU's offense set records in 2013. Brandon Harris continues to grow, but took a step back against Alabama. I think rolling him out and using bootlegs will help
some as well as incorporating the tight ends more in offense. Throw to Desean Smith more. There mismatches to be found as well as with Colin Jeter. Do it some time on 1st down. One can discount the injury to Dillon Gordon. His big body may have helped LSU get some plays on the edge.
Like I said, there is a bevy of talented receivers: Malachi Dupre, Travin Dural, Tyron Johnson, et al Continue
to use them in a variety of formations in conjunction with their current offensive philosophy. A big part of the offensive philosophy got the future is to make sure they secure Felipe Frank's signature in February. There are some concerns after his visit to Gainesville. I have to believe that he will follow through with his commitment, but we won't know until National Signing Day.
As sobering as Saturday's loss was, I still believe that there is a lot to be hopeful about. LSU has moves with their coaching staff the past couple of years. They have actually won some battles with Alabama on the recruiting front ( ie. Leonard Fournette and Kendall Beckwith and Malachi Dupre. There are some solid defensive lineman and line backer commitments in the fold. They are in on other players.
It may come that LSU may have to replace Miles to move forward, but such a move must not be done in haste. If Miles is gone, so are solid assistants like Jeff Grimes, Frank Wilson, and Ed Ogeron. You can put stipulations on the next coach that they be retained, no new coach worth his salt is going to accept that and not be able to assemble his own staff. They may interview them, but any great coach will not accept a job with those stipulations. My take is that a new coach must be a significant improvement. If not you repeat the cycle that held LSU back from 1980 to 2000. There were some excellent seasons in that span, but even more sub par years.
In closing, don't let this loss ruin your day. It always tough to lose to Alabama, but is still our entertainment that we are passionate about. It is our release from the stresses of our lives, which produce far more significant challenges. We live vicariously through our Tigers and success can help brighten our day from time to time. ALSO THERE ARE STILL GAMES TO BE PLAYED. Nothing yet is final. Beat Arkansas, Ole Miss and Texas A&M!! Then you are at least in the Sugar Bowl, and who knows, there could be some more magic with Dak Prescott or another Kick Six at Auburn!! Geaux Tigers!!
I don't think the sky is falling and every thing is hopeless but I also understand there issues LSU must address if they are to get on an equal
footing with Alabama. If LSU is going to ground and pound with them, they have to recruit equal or better athletes at the line of scrimmage (both lines of scrimmage) or if not that, they need to tweak their offensive philosophy spread things out and create mismatches.
I think they need to have a combination of both. I believe the recruiting equation will improve with the addition of Ed Ogeron and Kevin Steele to the staff. John Chavis and Brick Haley were not aggressive recruiters. The talent gap, especially on the line of scrimmage has exacerbated in the last few years, which lead to the result on Saturday night. It has started to be addressed with the addition of Jeff Grimes to the staff in 2014. The Tigers have pulled some great offensive line prospects during previous two recruiting cycles. The coaching is better in that area than the previous coach. The coaching along the defensive line has also improved with the addition of Ed Ogeron.
As for the the offensive philosophy, it appeared leading into the Alabama game that things had turned the corner. Brandon Harris was progressing nicely. The receivers were making big plays to help compliment a strong ground game. This lead to many posters including myself to believe that LSU was going to break the streak this year. Well, it didn't happen, but I am not one to believe that it won't eventually happen. LSU will have to make adjustments to make it happen, but they have the ability to compete for championships and possibly being
back another SEC or National Title.
Charles Hannagriff made the point on Saturday night that in the 1990's that Steve Spurrier was worth 7-10 points in every game. He says that the same holds true for Nick Saban, and as good as he was at LSU, he is even
.much better at Alabama as he learned from his experience in Miami.
That is the reality that Tennessee dealt with in the 1990's and what LSU deals with today, but Tennessee did find a way to win a National Championship in 1998. The same can happen again at LSU. I am not saying it will, but I am not giving up hope.
I think a quarterback like Zack Mettenburger is best for Cam Cameron as LSU's offense set records in 2013. Brandon Harris continues to grow, but took a step back against Alabama. I think rolling him out and using bootlegs will help
some as well as incorporating the tight ends more in offense. Throw to Desean Smith more. There mismatches to be found as well as with Colin Jeter. Do it some time on 1st down. One can discount the injury to Dillon Gordon. His big body may have helped LSU get some plays on the edge.
Like I said, there is a bevy of talented receivers: Malachi Dupre, Travin Dural, Tyron Johnson, et al Continue
to use them in a variety of formations in conjunction with their current offensive philosophy. A big part of the offensive philosophy got the future is to make sure they secure Felipe Frank's signature in February. There are some concerns after his visit to Gainesville. I have to believe that he will follow through with his commitment, but we won't know until National Signing Day.
As sobering as Saturday's loss was, I still believe that there is a lot to be hopeful about. LSU has moves with their coaching staff the past couple of years. They have actually won some battles with Alabama on the recruiting front ( ie. Leonard Fournette and Kendall Beckwith and Malachi Dupre. There are some solid defensive lineman and line backer commitments in the fold. They are in on other players.
It may come that LSU may have to replace Miles to move forward, but such a move must not be done in haste. If Miles is gone, so are solid assistants like Jeff Grimes, Frank Wilson, and Ed Ogeron. You can put stipulations on the next coach that they be retained, no new coach worth his salt is going to accept that and not be able to assemble his own staff. They may interview them, but any great coach will not accept a job with those stipulations. My take is that a new coach must be a significant improvement. If not you repeat the cycle that held LSU back from 1980 to 2000. There were some excellent seasons in that span, but even more sub par years.
In closing, don't let this loss ruin your day. It always tough to lose to Alabama, but is still our entertainment that we are passionate about. It is our release from the stresses of our lives, which produce far more significant challenges. We live vicariously through our Tigers and success can help brighten our day from time to time. ALSO THERE ARE STILL GAMES TO BE PLAYED. Nothing yet is final. Beat Arkansas, Ole Miss and Texas A&M!! Then you are at least in the Sugar Bowl, and who knows, there could be some more magic with Dak Prescott or another Kick Six at Auburn!! Geaux Tigers!!
