I have loved LSU football as long as I can remember. Growing up in the 70's, I remember being told and retold stories of countless Sugar Bowl victories, National Championships, the "Perfect Season" (My Dad's junior year, I think), and of course Billy Cannon's famous Halloween punt return. Year after year, I saw great players honor the proud tradition of LSU, on and off the field, sometimes winning and sometimes losing, but always honorably. And even when times got bad, all of us true fans knew we were but one or two strong recruiting classes away from winning it all. All we needed was the right coach to stop the gusher of home-grown talent from leaving for out-of-state programs.
Enter Nick Saban. While I have no reverence for what he did or how he left, the evidence of his winning formula is undisputed. He kept our boys here, playing for LSU where they belong, and we won. But this isn't about him, so I'll leave it at that.
Exit Nick Saban. The talent is still coming to LSU. Why aren't we winning?
In just a few short years, through complete ineptness, Les Miles made a mockery of what was until recently the most feared team in the SEC (and hence all of college football). I admit, I too was blinded by the early success. I looked past the poor coaching decisions that were overcome by the pure talent of the team. We won, mostly; and when we didn't, we were lucky enough that our players didn't pay the price. They won the BCS Championship - again - despite his coaching inadequacies.
Those days are gone. Recruiting class after recruiting class comes to LSU and gets let down. Emperor Miles has no clothes. He's not a genius. He's not a motivator. He's neither "Mad Hatter" nor "Riverboat Gambler." He's simply a moron. He's made horrible decisions throughout his regime, and now we are paying the price.
Witness today's debacle versus Ole Miss. Spike the ball? With :01 left?
Witness the plays immediately preceding it. We're in field goal range with a minute and timeout to spare, and all you can think to call are passes? Even after they've hurried and hit and sacked your quarterback all day long?
Witness the big ones that almost weren't. The amazing TD catch at Auburn, when all you needed was a FG; the five fourth down conversions versus Florida; the two late gift TDs versus Bama come to mind. Not to mention the biggest comeback in LSU history versus - try not to laugh - Troy.
Who earned credit for those plays, those wins. Les Miles? I think not. Who earned the big "L" for today's effort versus the Rebels? Jordan Jefferson? JoJo Lafell? Ridley? Tolliver? Peterson? The entire defense? No. Not those guys. They played their guts out. It's Mr. Miles that cost us this one.
I can't write anymore today. It hurts too much to type this. But I hope that more fans will pick up where I leave off. And I leave off with this: there's no method to it. It's just madness. Les Miles must go.
Geaux Tigers.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
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