If any of you hear me on the radio (Fridays 1pm-2pm on 690am WIST), last Friday you would have heard as close to a mea culpa toward les miles that I could possibly make. If you read this you also know what little respect I have for les miles' coaching ability. Last Friday (9/3) I predicted that despite les miles, LSU's schedule sets up to be a possible BCS bowl season.
Well it's Sunday after game one and those regurgitated words are already stuck in my throat. I say this because of the events that unfolded last night.
We all know the story. LSU's opponent, UNC, was devastatingly undermanned due to NCAA and self imposed suspensions. They were also distracted because these suspensions came down the day before the game. LSU is returning a 3rd year QB, 4th year RB and WR, and a 5th year RB amongst other 4 and 5 star recruits. Included in this group is the #1 ranked overall player in the country, the #1 rated WR in the country and the #1 defensive player in the country, all second and third year players. You get where I'm going with this. LSU is loaded with experienced talent, period.
This should have been a game LSU fans were embarrassed about because they ran up the score on a defenseless bunch of back ups and sub par ACC starters. A team in disarray. A game where ESPN commentators were blasting les miles for leaving Jordan Jefferson in during the 4th quarter with such a big lead.
For three quarters this game was looking like just that. LSU led 30-10 and was inside the UNC 15 yard line when Steven Ridley scored a touchdown that made it 37-10. Now in Tuscaloosa, Gainesville or Austin this would have been the final nail in the coffin of a team that put up a valiant fight under extremely challenging conditions.
But this is Baton Rouge, well Atl in this case, but you know what I mean. This is les miles football, baby!
After leading 30-10 and scoring an apparent td the following happen in the 4th quarter:
1. That nail clinching TD was nullified by a holding penalty
2. That 3rd year qb Jordan Jefferson lost 20 yards on grounding penalty putting his team out of field goal range
3. After pinning UNC at their three yard line with 10:14 showing on the clock and before I could finish the thought in my head "just don't give up a big play here and ...", the defense, which had dominated for 3 quarters gives up a 97 yard td pass..30-17
4. Another LSU holding penalty, LSU punts
5. UNC drives, scores a td on the nations best red zone defense from last season...30-24
6. UNC recovers an onsides kick
7. LSU's D gets up from the mat and holds on 4th down with a great blitz from freshman Tyronn Mathieu
8. LSU runnig back Steven Ridley, a senior, in the midst of running for the game clinching 1st down fumbles
9.UNC drives to LSU's 5 yard line and on the final play of the game has a chance to score the go ahead touchdown
10. they fail!!!!
LSU wins!!!!!!
Only among LSU fans there was no !!!!. No celebrton for surviving such a debacle. Every LSU fan that I know was pissed! Even the most fervent defenders of les miles were calling for his head. In general, the concensus among LSU faithful was embarrassment. After WINNING a game, LSU fans were embarrassed!
Why?
14 pealties, 5 turnovers and again blowing a 4th quarter lead!
How does this keep happening!?
Because in the 6th year of his program, les miles' team still makes the same mistakes at the same time the same way. In short, they show NO SIGN of improvement. From the 3rd year qb who couldn't find a secondary receiver with a GPS device to a 4th year rb who couldn't protect the ball in a Wells Fargo truck.
Why?
Because les miles does not demand this from his players. He may say the words, but he doesn't demand it. If anyone watched ESPN's coverage of Alabama'a fall practices, you witnessed a coach who demands improvement from his players. His mantra? Win every play every day. He doesn't just say it he demands it. That team hasn't lost a regular season game in 3 years.
les miles? He overslept on game day. That's all you need to know.
THAT'S les miles football!
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