LSU 33 - Arkansas 30: Snap Judgments
by Richard Pittman on Nov 28, 2009 10:19 PM CST
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PrintA win's a win. I guess we've said that a few times this year. For a team that was predicted before the season to be 9-3 at the end, this has been a very tumultuous 9-3 team. It's a team that could well have been 6-6 (near losses to Washington, MSU, and Arkansas). It could have beaten Ole Miss, and wasn't THAT far away from beating Alabama. This is a team that, based on its play on the field, could have gone anywhere from 6-6 to 11-1. 9-3 is, I suppose, not that bad under those circumstances. There will be some thoughts on that later; probably a lot of thoughts from a lot of different writers. Anyway, a few snap judgments:
- First, the final drive of regular time. After taking a terrible sack, Jefferson came back and made some nice plays, but the final drive belonged to Stevan Ridley, Josh Jasper, and Derek Helton. Derek Helton? The snap on the field goal was terrible, but Helton snagged the high-and-outside pitch and got it down for Jasper to get a clean hit on it. Tie game.
- Jefferson was maddeningly inconsistent throughout the game, vacillating from stretches of brilliance (our touchdown drives) and strange decision-making/inaccuracy (most of the rest of the game). This is a kid with the potential to be an excellent quarterback. He just needs to accentuate the positive while eliminating the negative. There's a lot of positive to work with there.
- The overtime was a snoozer. We went 3-and-out kind of pitifully, but got a medium-range field goal. Arkansas nearly had to try a 45-yarder until they got a nice 8 yard gain on 3rd and 12 to set up a medium-range field goal, but missed it. Drake Nevis and Lavar Edwards made great plays to set up the 3rd and long that ultimately decided the game.
- Trindon Holliday was the MVP of the first half until he muffed that punt, scoring a special teams touchdown, putting us in good field position multiple times, and running effectively from scrimmage. Then, after the muff, he completely disappeared.
- Russell Shepard also disappeared after a little early activity. This is one of the lesser-discussed but most maddening aspects of our suspect offense. In the second half, we tend to tighten up and not put in the homerun hitters.
- I did not like the helmet-to-helmet call on Chad Jones. I'm not saying it was technically wrong, but it's been called so infrequently this year that it is surprising to me that it was called on a play where it appeared that Jones at least attempted to lead with his shoulder, and appeared to hit head-to-head only with a glancing blow. We've seen much worse head-to-head hits go uncalled this year.
- The defensive line got after it in the first half, then disappeared for long stretches in the second. I don't think it's a coincidence that we did not get a single stop in the second half. When we stopped getting pressure, Ryan Mallett started hitting receivers. The decision to constantly go with a 3-man rush in the second half contributed to the problems, even though the 3-man rush had success in the first half.
- The coverage teams were great tonight. I can't wait to see more of Ryan Baker next year.
- It was good to see Brandon Lafell walk off. It would have been awful to see such a great Tiger blow a knee in overtime of Game 12 of his senior season.
- The offensive line played pretty well this week. Losing Ciron Black will hurt, but I think this could be a good unit next year.
- Except for the helmet-to-helmet, I thought the officiating was pretty good tonight.
- The corner opposite Peterson continues to get picked on in every game. I sure hope that Jai Eugene makes a big leap in his play next year, or that Morris Claiborne is ready to take over.
- With Ole Miss losing, I think we are going to the Cap One, but nothing is official. Who else would they take at this point? Ole Miss? South Carolina? Tennessee? Georgia? We're not exactly a thrilling choice, but those others aren't either. Actually, it will be really interesting to see how the bowls shake out. As of press time, Georgia was still playing Georgia Tech. If they win that one, there will be six, SIX!, teams with 7 wins in the SEC. Ole Miss, at 8 wins, is the clear choice for Cotton, but the Outback and every bowl on down could go in literally any direction after that.
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My thoughts.
Whew!
The essence of success is to be better than you were last week when faced with the same situations. Under that scenario, LSU was highly successful tonight. I was concerned that it would take 3 – 4 secondes to get the play under way after the ref marked it for play, however the overall management was much improved.
Also was sometimes impressed with Jefferson who showed flashes of maturing.
Again, Whew!
Wow.
How could you be so underwhelmed?
People in the Advocate were saying this would be the most important game of Miles’ career (of course, since he won, it won’t be as important).
How Les rallied the team and how the team rallied around Les, and how Les corrected his time management issues, that says a lot.
Jrlz rhymes with Charles.
I agree
I thought that was a pretty impressive win. We beat an Arkansas team that was absolutely on fire the last couple of weeks. The defensive line showed up, Jefferson played well, etc. I’m excited about next year: Jefferson maturing, improved O-line, Toliver/Randle/Deangelo Peterson, Ridley/Murphy, Jones/Peterson and whoever else is in the secondary, Sheppard/Baker and whoever at linebacker, Shepard, I think we could be very good.
It was an important win, but it's not like we dramatically outplayed them..
Don’t get me wrongly. I’m darned glad we won it, but it feels more like relief than glory. I’m probably not being fair. Arkansas is a solid team, and we’ve beaten a few solid teams this year. We’ve beaten 3 teams that have 7 wins this year. It’s just one of those things where (except for Auburn) you can’t really say we outplayed any of them. Things just went well enough for us to win those other games despite not really outplaying them. The same happened against Washington, Mississippi State, and even La Tech. Still, it’s a win in the box score, and this could end up being a double-digit win season.
Father. Husband. Lawyer. Nerd.
by Richard Pittman on Nov 29, 2009 7:46 AM CST up reply actions
No kidding, well said.
We were still outgained, yet again.
Let’s not pat ourselves on the back too much guys. The fact that this team is winning is a statistical improbability.
I mean it's not going to solve all the issues
But it was the first necessary step on that road. Whether Miles can win back the fans or not, he needed to at least win the game Saturday. Now we see what happens next…
by Billy Gomila on Nov 29, 2009 11:18 AM CST up reply actions
Heck of a win for you guys.
I was pulling for you in hopes you’d cover the spread (pick’em league). Didn’t happen, but it was fun as hell annoying my family by yelling “tiger bait” all night.
What you're seeing is team spirit. It's like the Holy Spirit, but more powerful.
-Hank Hill
i agree with you richard
that the blow to the head is called very inconsistently, but i thought that hit was a pretty textbook call. if the crown of your head makes first contact with another players head, you’re toast. i’m not saying i like it, but i think that play is a penalty 7 or 8 times out of 10.
hell i think jones might even like a redo. it looked like it stung him even more than the wr.
as a non lsu fan, i couldn’t help but wonder as that game was shaking out, what the reaction would be if les let that game get away.
Well I'm not sure
if it was the same crew (Richard?) but two SEC officials stood within five yards and watched a LTech Dback hit TTolliver head first and head ONLY like a missile (it looked like he had snapped his neck) and no call, Jones on the other hand clearly did not lead with his head and I don’t think the helmet made first contact, just saying!
Also, I hope this will end the Miles debate. I’m not going to rehash it because I have been very unhappy about our fan base and it was sickening again tonight to hear the boo-birds when the team was playing their heart out and truthfully there wasn’t much to complain about – just two SEC rivals playing a GREAT game.
Cap-One Bowl, not a bad destination and if JJ continues to improve, and he wil, this team is going to be scary good in 2010!
Geaux Tigers!! HB
GEAUX TIGERS!!!
by SouthernMan on Nov 28, 2009 11:55 PM CST up reply actions
Not a chance
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
How did I know you two
would still be negative.
You know its a real shame when your own fan base is rooting against you.
Honestly, all you guys that think Miles is so bad need to just go root for Alabama in my view. You’ll never be happy with LSU again anyway because Saban isn’t ever coming back.
GEAUX TIGERS!!!
seriously
Everyone is equally passionate about the team here. Most LSU fans are trolling LSU boards immediately after the game, so I think you should do away w/ the “criticism is bad” mantra." I agree w/ you that a large portion of our fans stink b/c of their blind negativity.
However, LSU Jonno has consistently pointed out a valid point. We are outgained in almost every single game. That is a shot at both our poor offensive play calling as well our “bend but don’t break” defense.
I know that I am happy w/ the win, but I think our offense and defense have absolutely warranted discussion about how we can improve. You seem to be as ardent in your “anti-criticism” as some are w/ their negativity.
I understand where you are coming from, but you should give these guys credit who are making valid points.
Very Happy for Win
I’m certainly very happy for LSU’s win over Arkansas. I’m still trying to calm down after what I thought was more underachievement by the players and coaching staff. I really don’t want to come down too hard on the players because I have nothing but respect for them and the very hard work they do all year long in preparing to play football in the SEC. However, the coaches are another story. I cannot criticize Coach Miles too harshly at this point because he has done a lot to give LSU winning seasons, SEC Championships and a National Championship. He’s also very good at recruiting whether he does it himself or through others on his coaching staff. So far, the 2010 recruiting class is shaping up to be a top 5 class. However, I have big problems with the offensive coaching staff and some even with the defensive coaching staff, although I recognize that (I’m so muddled right now I can’t remember the defensive coordinator’s name) the guy from Tennessee has a lot of experience and won many accolades for his defenses. My beef with the defensive coaching staff is a lack of emphasis on pressuring opposing quarterbacks. I just about have a stroke, when LSU drops into a three man defensive line near the end of halves and games. Instead, they should be bringing disguised blitzes on just about every play. My beef with the offensive coaching staff goes much further, and includes predictable play calling, failing to utilize talented players, failing to develop the passing game, etc. If it were my decision, the entire offensive coaching staff would be gone next year. But, I wouldn’t make any changes as to the defensive coaching staff. Oh well, it’s time for me to try to relax and relish tonight’s important win. With Ole Miss losing today, LSU should be in line for a very good bowl. And, hopefully most of the injured players will heal before that game.
Have a Coke and a smile!
You really shouldn’t be allowed to criticize coaches if you don’t know their name and frankly LSU was getting pretty darn good coverage on Mallet with a three man front and for the most part it was a great adjustment by that Tennessee guy!
Also, every play that doesn’t work was not a bad play call. This was overall one of LSU’s best offensive performances so give it a rest.
Really, can’t we EVER just say “great win guys, I’m proud to be a Tiger”?
GEAUX TIGERS!!!
by SouthernMan on Nov 29, 2009 12:01 AM CST up reply actions
see above post
Knowing the coaches name or not doesn’t change the fact that there are valid points being made here. I personally think we have problems on both O and D. Just talk to UT fans if you want to know about Chavis’s track record w/ 3rd and long.
And I think Caliguy55 is only echoing the problems w/ the O that many on here have outlined before.
Yeah
I’ll agree that we had solid coverage for a lot of the game.
Arky also had a lot of open receivers.
Mallet (who is known to be a very accurate deep ball passer) did as much to help LSU this game as Chavis.
actually let me expand upon my last comment.
Mallet (who is known to be a very accurate deep ball passer) did as much to help LSU this game as Chavis.
Chavis’ D seems to put our players in position such that if the opposing team makes a mistake we can capitalize on that mistake. In this game, our defense executed well enough to capitalize on some Mallet misthrows.
Compare that to what we saw when Muschamp was here. Muschamp’s D seemed to put a lot more pressure on the opposing team’s offense, which caused mistakes. We were probably more susceptible to the big play, (I’m thinking UGA ’03 game with the 80 yd screan) but we also created more problems for offenses.
um, Geaux Tigers?
Is it that hard to say?
LSU Football takes a month-long break. Take it easy while we wait for our bowl berth.
Jrlz rhymes with Charles.
I agree with the head-to-head
It did seem like he was leading with his shoulder. You could definitely tell that he at least stuck it out, the head-to-head contact was very incedental. Plus he isnt a guy that would do that kinda stuff. It bothered the crap outta me, and i was rooting for Ar-Kansas
by tidefanstuckatlsu on Nov 29, 2009 11:14 AM CST reply actions
Great Win!
I am so proud to be a Tiger!
p.s. why is Russell Shepard not in the game more often?
Enough about the coaches
Where were our fans in the fourth quarter when our team needed a boost against a cross border conference rival? It was embarrassing when ESPN showed the empty seats in the stadium. Most of the empty seats were in prime season ticket holder sections. Those “fans” are an embarrassment to LSU and are not deserving of being in the stadium…ever. Its one thing to leave a blow out early, but to leave in the second half of a close game is pitiful. I’m guessing those are the same people bitching and moaning the loudest about the coaches. I think that whoever calls the shots (i.e. the boosters) should issue as strong of a rebuke to the “fans” (especially season ticket holders) who left early as they do the coaches or players.
As for the comment that we easily could have lost several more games…when has that ever not been the case? I don’t care how we got our wins, I am damned proud of our damned strong football team.
by Displaced Tiger on Nov 29, 2009 6:15 PM CST reply actions
+1 on the fans leaving
That was embarrassing.
I may be a tad overly critical of this coaching staff, but that wouldn’t ever affect my attendance for a game, or for the duration of the game.
Yeah what the freak is wrong with people
If you go to a football game, stay the whole time. They leave during blowouts, they leave during close SEC games. Why are they even going? That being said, Tiger Stadium did sound QUITE loud last night, even just through the TV.
I was at the game
and wondering the same thing. There were people leaving in the 4th when we were driving to tie/win the game. Why would you leave then? I don’t get that at all. However, the stadium was really loud and the people there were fired up.
Uh, was the Georgia game not a near loss?
“It’s a team that could well have been 6-6 (near losses to Washington, MSU, and Arkansas).”
These are games that a majority of are lost the next season; PhilSteele has uncanny stats on this. We just as easily could have had a LOSING season. It’s called: LUCK.
And it always runs out.
That is all. You can continue with your circle jerk now…
If you think we're all engaged in some homoerotic exercise (odd choice of words you use)
Why don’t you just stay away?
by Billy Gomila on Nov 30, 2009 2:44 PM CST up reply actions
Trindon
It was really cool to see Trindon return a punt for a TD on senior day. One thing that has been overlooked is how important his muffed punt was. Had he made a fair catch, we would have had first down at about the Arkansas 40 yard line with under 5 minutes to go in the half. At the time it was 17-3. A TD on that possession could have put the game out of reach, especially considering Arkansas had to kick to us to start the second half. We were really close to a rout, but one turnover screwed it up.
All’s forgiven though.
TH did some pretty good work on offense too.
I agree about the muff, but the other stuff should be mentioned as well.
good point
can’t hate on TH because he had such a good game, which I was very happy to see but I’m with you, we could have broken their back with a TD drive there.
GEAUX TIGERS!!!
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