LSU - Ole Miss: A Viewer's Guide to the Sunday Replay
by Billy Gomila on Nov 21, 2010 10:00 AM CST
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I'm damn proud of this team. I just have to say that.
You can say a lot of things about this team, and at times this season, people have. But these players ignored the bullshit, and fought their way to an undefeated home record. And, for the most part, they have made whatever plays they had to make in the big moments. And they deserve high praise for that.
But at the same time, if you would have told me before the game LSU would need 43 points to win, I would have been pretty worried. On to the notes:
- Jordan Jefferson's first five completions each traveled at least 20 yards. With the lone exception of his interception, he was decisive and under control. When he's helped out with a quality rushing attack and allowed to throw the routes he throws well (comebacks and corner routes), he can manage this team just the way he needs to. He's also been dramatically improving as an option runner, all season really.
- Blocking on the edges was superb, from the tackles, tight ends and the wide receivers. Russell Shepard made a really nice block to spring Michael Ford's would-be long TD run, and Rueben Randle also did an excellent job, despite playing with a noticeable limp.
- Loved Frank Wilson's running back rotation. He rode Stevan Ridley early, stuck with Ford when he heated up in the third quarter, and then went back to a very fresh Ridley in the fourth.
- Let it not be said Houston Nutt is not true to himself. Multiple giggities, from the third Ole Miss possession, on. And he had a great gameplan. Jeremiah Masoli did great work against the blitz, and found his hot reads in the seams. And the Reb-bears treated third downs almost like second downs. Just a play to set up the next down. It just so happened that was setting up fourth down.
- Don't be surprised if Arkansas used the spread and pistol elements of their running game next weekend. Teams are starting to take advantage of the speed of LSU's front seven. Get them going one way, run the other and wall them off. Drake Nevis and company will have to remember their gap discipline more consistency.
- Lavar Edwards had a strong game with four tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss and that interception. He's really coming into his own as a quality strong-side end, with the size and strength to hold up against the run and an athletic burst up the field.
- Interesting contrast between how ULM's special teams handled Patrick Peterson and how Ole Miss handled him. The Warhawks used short kicks that gave him almost no room to field the ball. Ole Miss kicked the living hell out of the ball as far and as high as possible. Either way, it covered a weakness that LSU should have been able to exploit.
- Speaking of General Zod, I suppose it couldn't be more appropriate that the final pass of the home schedule was intercepted by him. Dan Borne threw in a "thanks for the memories." And while I would love to have No. 7 for another year, I think we all know that's not likely. But I think I can speak on behalf of the entire ATVS family when I say that we will always kneel before Zod.
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JJ proved me wrong
Even after the strong 1/2 v AL I really didn’t think JJ could manage an entire game as a QB and not just an athlete. Sat was fun to watch. I yelled in anger (from home) when Lee (my candidate) came in. JJ finally gave us a complete team. Wow. If only we had that at AU and Tenn we would be looking for Championship tickets.
I hope this does not save Crowton. If JJ can throw a 25 yrd strike why the hell has Crow kept him bottled up with crappy screens and 3 yrd routes? No reason this tean is ranked 1,234th in offense short of the OC.
"The gifts that I'm given by that team were in their preparation, how they come to work everyday, how they are committed to the team, how they step onto the field and do hard things. They play violent football at risk of injury for their team and for their school. The gift that I'm given is to be allowed to be on the sideline with them and coach them." Les Miles
by ZimmZimmZalaBimm on Nov 21, 2010 10:34 AM CST reply actions
The problem was he couldn't,
for the vast majority of the season JJ’s passing was horrendous. We all saw it. He is just a different QB since the Bama game. He’s confident. Confident QB’s get to throw the ball all over the field. Insecure QB’s don’t. I think it really is that simple.
by CounterAttack on Nov 21, 2010 11:37 AM CST up reply actions
agree - this JJ is a different player than he was
the first 6 or 7 games of the season.
Do feel bad for Lee though.
I continue to think Crowton has screwed both of these guys by asking them to do things they are not good at and not giving them more opportunities to do what they are best at. JJ is a downfield thrower and for two years he’s been asked to throw short routes.
Agreed
Crowton’s seems to insist on using a knife to screw a Philips head screw while he pokes the rope he wants to cut with a screw driver. If Miles is not the source then this shit must drive him …to eat grass!
"They play violent football at risk of injury for their team and for their school. The gift that I'm given is to be allowed to be on the sideline with them and coach them." Les Miles
by ZimmZimmZalaBimm on Nov 21, 2010 1:10 PM CST up reply actions
DING! DING! WINNAH WINNAH CHICKEN DINNAH!
He’s confident. Confident QB’s get to throw the ball all over the field. Insecure QB’s don’t. I think it really is that simple.
I must create my belief system lest I be enslaved by another - Thomas Paine
by Curtis Bleaux on Nov 21, 2010 12:46 PM CST up reply actions
Yes he is right
We have said that for awhile now look back in posts about JJ. JJ’s confidence was clearly broken worse if not entirely by our own fan base it is why JJ pleaded with the fan base to be patient and believe in him. Yet people wanted to argue they should be allowed to boo kids on the field.
We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don't like? - Jean Cocteau
10 Wins in this day & age...
is NOTHING to scoff at in the SEC regardless of whether the conference is “up” or “down.” With the rivalries this conference has I’ll take a 10 win season any day of the week.
Now let’s some cook some hog, boys!
I must create my belief system lest I be enslaved by another - Thomas Paine
In the interest of full disclosure
On LSU’s final drive, once they cracked the 20-yard line and Ole Miss used their final timeout, I was calling for them to kneel out the clock and kick a field goal. But I can see why you would give Ridley the chance to win it. And it’s one more example of Miles having confidence in his players to execute.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
Never ever EVER play for a field goal
Seriously. College kickers, even ones as good as Jasper, are completely unreliable. Always try to score a TD if you can. Playing for a field goal is pansy ass loser talk.
Fake Pundit. Real Fan.
And The Valley Shook!
by Poseur on Nov 21, 2010 7:45 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Usually I agree
But at that short a distance, with the most accurate kicker in school history and a defense that had been struggling, I wouldn’t have blamed Miles if he’d have done it.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Nov 21, 2010 8:05 PM CST up reply actions
If they could have set up a PAT-length kick I think this would've been smart
I wondered if Ole Miss let Ridley score on purpose. If we had missed the 2 pointer they’d have gotten the ball back with a chance to win – I breathed a lot easier once Jefferson went in to make it a 7 point game.
Don't Panic.
by 4.0 Point Stance on Nov 21, 2010 8:56 PM CST up reply actions
That's also what I said about the 2008 Auburn game after we got the last first down...
I actually didn’t even think about that for this game. I just wanted to pound it in the endzone. But looking back on it Billy, I think I’m with you.
I’ll take the risk on a 19yd FG rather than give the ball back with 30 secs – 2 minutes or so.
"I know the quarterback has a strong arm, but...I mean the ball's not gonna outrun ME" --PP7
i was thinking the same thing
the way the game was going, they looked ot have a good chance of driving down the field on us for the go ahead score.
I am big on the "don't plan for a field goal"
school of thought. obviously, if it comes down to time for just one more play and a field goal wins it, and you’re in range, you take it. You play for a touchdown, and take a field goal if it comes down to needing to do it, for just the reasons you say. College kickers are unreliable. Even the good ones. Pro kickers are generally 95% to hit a kick inside of 40 yards, so you can play for the field goal in those situations. College, not so much.
I would amend that somewhat in this case, however. College kickers are unreliable on the whole, but Jasper is more reliable than most. Plus, our passing game is also unreliable. It would be hard to trust Jefferson, with more interceptions than touchdowns, not to give the ball away. If memory serves, he has thrown interceptions at the goal line as well.
In THIS case, I don’t put the game in the hands of Jefferson throwing the ball. With 1st down and goal from the six and about a minute to play, I give the ball to Ridley. He scored, but if he hadn’t, I’d have taken it to about 25 seconds and then called a timeout. I would have then run the ball again on second down planned so that if I didn’t score, I’d put the ball in the middle of the field. Then I’d call a timeout and run the field goal unit out with about 9 second to go on 3rd down. That’s enough time to get a second chance if the snap/hold is bad.
You try twice for a touchdown, but give up one chance to get it, putting the ball on your kicker’s foot for the win with a chip shot if you don’t make it. I like those odds.
I would NOT, however, have kneeled it from the 20.
Father. Husband. Lawyer. Nerd.
by Richard Pittman on Nov 22, 2010 7:52 AM CST up reply actions
I think once they got inside the 20
They decided to let the clock run, give it to Ridley a few times — if he gets in, great, if not, we’re in major chip-shot range. Like I said, in general, I’m not a play-for-the-field-goal guy, but if you’re inside your own 20 and a FG wins it, and you have a very reliable kicker, I’m not going to fault a coach for doing it.
Another thing to remember is that the offense was aligned dead-on between the hashes. So there wasn’t even an angle.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Nov 22, 2010 8:33 AM CST up reply actions
“Another thing to remember is that the offense was aligned dead-on between the hashes. So there wasn’t even an angle.”
Can’t be overstated. Wasn’t there a game either this year or last year where a team took a knee inside the 5 and kicked a field goal from the hash, which they missed? I think people think of field goal difficulty as being directly correlated with distance, but in college, with these wide hashes, I think a 19 yarder from the wrong hashmarks is one of the toughest kick in football because of the angle.
Don't Panic.
by 4.0 Point Stance on Nov 22, 2010 9:10 AM CST up reply actions
In THIS case, I don’t put the game in the hands of Jefferson throwing the ball. With 1st down and goal from the six and about a minute to play, I give the ball to Ridley. He scored, but if he hadn’t, I’d have taken it to about 25 seconds and then called a timeout. I would have then run the ball again on second down planned so that if I didn’t score, I’d put the ball in the middle of the field. Then I’d call a timeout and run the field goal unit out with about 9 second to go on 3rd down. That’s enough time to get a second chance if the snap/hold is bad.
Precisely. Run the ball and try to score, but accept that the FG is an option. But don’t play for the FG. Play for the TD with an option to kick.
Fake Pundit. Real Fan.
And The Valley Shook!
Funny enough, I was dreading that...
Score me the TD and make them drive the field to score.
Jasper is wonderful and it was a chip shot, but I hate pinning all the hopes on victory on a FG when you have plenty of time/options to put it in there.
We ran smooth over them on that drive. It helped starting at the 50, but I think we could have started at the 20 and run it 9 times and scored.
By the way, a coach lost his team a chance to win because of clock management last night
Except this year it was Nutt. The Runts burned not one but two second half timeouts on 2 point conversion attempts — one on defense, when they seemed surprised we were going for two, and one on offense when they didn’t even break huddle on the sidelines until the playclock was half run out. Both of these were incredibly avoidable brain farts and the fault lies totally on the coaching staff.
If Ole Miss had those two timeouts to burn on the last LSU drive, it’s a very different ball game as they’d have gotten the ball back with two minutes or so left.
Don't Panic.
by 4.0 Point Stance on Nov 21, 2010 8:59 PM CST reply actions
Also
Miles was masterful at clock management in this game. He bled the clock dry. No panic, just a methodical march in which his offense gobbled up both yards and time.
Fake Pundit. Real Fan.
And The Valley Shook!
That's a point you probably won't notice being mentioned
anywhere except here.
by artiger on Nov 21, 2010 9:48 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Of course not, because it doesn't fit the stereotype
The entire team looked great on that drive. They weren’t hurried or panicked like last year.
And why would they be – 1 point deficit with the clock winding in the 4th quarter? Just another average Saturday night for the 2010 Tigers.
Don't Panic.
by 4.0 Point Stance on Nov 21, 2010 10:08 PM CST up reply actions
Yup
I really think they were thinking “1 or 2 more runs, if we don’t punch it in we’ll kick a field goal with no time left.”
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Nov 21, 2010 10:04 PM CST up reply actions
Made that same comment Poseur...
Knew no one would praise how well he managed the clock in this one…
I'm really not trying to bash Nutt here
I think he coached an awesome game. He had his team fired up, read, believing they could win when no one else did. He played to win, emptied the playbook, wasn’t afraid to go for it on fourth down when he should have (except for that pooch punt – the one time he chickened out), and he damn near pulled it out.
I just get sick and tired of hearing about Miles’ clock gaffe in Oxford. Every coach makes clock gaffes; but the media (and many Tiger fans) act like it’s unique to Miles. The reason other coaches don’t get the same crap is that their mistakes are rarely so visible.
Don't Panic.
by 4.0 Point Stance on Nov 21, 2010 10:20 PM CST up reply actions
+ a million
I was thinking the same thing the whole second half- Nutt blew his timeouts – reverse of last year – and no one will talk about it after the game
One more thing...
Chris Tolliver caught at least one ball. Did he play much the rest of the game? It would be pretty cool to see him come on strong at the end of the year. We’ll be thin on experienced WR’s next year.
"I know the quarterback has a strong arm, but...I mean the ball's not gonna outrun ME" --PP7
He got on the field a solid amount
Even though he only finished with one catch. They went to him very early too.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Nov 22, 2010 8:30 AM CST up reply actions
They went deep to him maybe three times against ULM
No catches, but I think they’re making an effort to get him involved. And we could use a 4th receiver. At this point Kadron Boone and James Wright are little more than blockers out there.
Don't Panic.
by 4.0 Point Stance on Nov 22, 2010 9:12 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, they must like Wright's blocking a lot
At times he’s the only WR they put out there in power sets.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Nov 22, 2010 9:21 AM CST up reply actions
I worry we tip our playcalls too much with our personnel sets
If Boone, Wright, and Clement are in there, 99% chance it’s a run.
If Randle, Shepard, and Peterson are in, much higher chance that it’s a pass.
Don't Panic.
by 4.0 Point Stance on Nov 22, 2010 9:29 AM CST up reply actions
Me too
But Bill Walsh once said that it’s okay to show tendencies at times — so long as you’re aware that you’re doing it. Because then you can pick your spot to counter them.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Nov 22, 2010 9:35 AM CST up reply actions
Yesterday was the first time I noticed...
We used Peterson as a single WR/TE blocker in big sets. Motioning him, splitting him wide etc. He was the lone guy out there and had a one on one matchup when we got stuffed three times at the one with the chance to go up big in the 1st.
Something else I noticed
And somebody may have to back me up on this — aren’t wedge blocks illegal on kick-off returns in college now as well? (I know the NFL has phased them out). Because Ole Miss came pretty close to running a few early on, particularly on the scatter-return play.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
Something I noticed
I lost my internet stream of the game with about 5 minutes to go (that really sucked) and had to follow it on espn Gamecast. But watching the highlights on lsusports dot net (does anyone else think that GeauxZone video player is a piece of shit?), on the final play you can clearly see a ref picking up a flag as the LSU players and coaches are coming onto the field.
At first I thought that as much as Masoli scrambled it must have been an ineligible linemen downfield, but the ones you can see all appear to stay behind the LOS, although one comes pretty damn close. Couldn’t see enough of the secondary to tell if maybe it was offensive PI.
Regardless, since it wouldn’t have affected the outcome, my first reaction was that it was a classy move by the ref to just pick it up. Am I way off base here?
According to this they discussed regulating wedge formations but decided to wait a year
http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/rules/football/2010/2010rulescommitteeactionreport.pdf
I remember that scatter-return play from when Hal Mumme coached at Southeastern.
Don't Panic.
by 4.0 Point Stance on Nov 22, 2010 9:24 AM CST up reply actions
Don't let the OL go unnoticed
The Off coaching staff has done a great job shuttling players in multiple positions due to injuries. The yardage came against a good front 7 and the OL produced again. I am not a GC fan but the OL has been handled very well this year. Most of all, to the players that have to learn and perform every week – great job.
It's unbelievable
I mean I love my fellow LSU fans, but it’s like some of you forget that JJ had some pretty good games LAST year, so of course you shouldn’t have turned on him! Yes his confidence was shot for whatever reason, and probably because of his own fans, but we all saw from his very first game he can play QB. Great job JJ and the rest of the team. I’m very proud of all you’ve done this season and for the past decade!
JJ's successes last year
Are ridiculously and routinely thrown under the bus by many (not many ATVS readers). It’s silly. He was an immensely solid QB last year, just not spectacular. His last 1/2 vs. Bama and game vs. Ole Miss are the realizations of his high-end potential.
oof, I don't know. JJ was solid last year, but not "immensely so"
actually, I’m not sure what “immensely solid means.” JJ was decent last year, with a crummy run game (largely due to injuries). I really thought he would play well all year.
What bothered me midseason this year is that JJ wasn’t playing anything like he did last year. In fact, he was sucking this year. I mean – really bad. He threw some terrible interceptions that really hurt the team. And he needed to be pulled. I think sitting out while Lee played really helped him.
But to be honest, I don’t have any confidence that JJ is going to play like he did Saturday against Arkansas. He played great against Bama, bad against ULM and great against Old Miss – after playing poorly against Auburn.
JJ had strengths and weaknesses
He was not a great QB last year, but was better than he showed early in the year. He completed a high percentage, but he also took a LOT of sacks that he didn’t need to take, and didn’t complete a whole lot down the field. The Jefferson we’ve seen in the last few weeks (from Auburn to now) is the best he’s played in his career.
Father. Husband. Lawyer. Nerd.
by Richard Pittman on Nov 22, 2010 4:51 PM CST up reply actions
I agree
Sorry if that wasn’t clear. I’m thrilled that he’s played better since the Auburn game. I just don’t think he played like this at all last year.
"Immensely Solid"
I mean he just very much solid, nothing more, nothing less. His stats were similar to Greg McElroy, but I think he had a better YPA and maybe even a higher completion percentage. All in his first full year of starting. He threw for over 200 yards on a few occasions.
But for the first half of this year, he looked terrible. He played decently well for a half against UNC, and then struggled every game afterward. He didn’t play great against Auburn, but he was the only QB to move the ball that day.
I feel confident he’s turned the corner. He’s now passing the eyeball test. Last year, he never did that. His stats indicated his performance was better than many acknowledge, but he still didn’t seem comfortable or like he was leading the offense. These past two SEC games, he’s looked like he’s leading the offense. He reads progressions, make good decisions and good throws. He uses his mobility to his advantage. I think early in the year he made progress in terms of calling audibles and orchestrating the run game, but he obviously lacked that passing element, and now he’s beginning to take that on.
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Last Update: May 19
# - SEC Tournament Seeding
Team Name = Eliminated from SEC Tournament
| West | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
1 LSU Tigers  |
19 | 11 | 42 | 14 |
| 6 Arkansas Razorbacks |
16 | 14 | 39 | 17 |
| 7 Mississippi St. Bulldogs |
16 | 14 | 34 | 21 |
| 9 Mississippi Rebels |
14 | 16 | 34 | 22 |
| 10 Auburn Tigers |
13 | 17 | 30 | 26 |
| |
9 | 21 | 21 | 34 |
| East | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
| 2 South Carolina Gamecocks |
18 | 11 | 39 | 15 |
| 4 Kentucky Wildcats |
18 | 12 | 41 | 15 |
| 3 Florida Gators |
18 | 12 | 40 | 16 |
| 5 Vanderbilt Commodores |
16 | 14 | 29 | 25 |
| 8 Georgia Bulldogs |
14 | 15 | 31 | 24 |
|
8 | 22 | 24 | 31 |
