Still reeling from the LSU loss to Alabama in Death Valley, I can't shake the feeling that the better team lost. I'm not talking about the old cliche meaning the team that played better in the game that night. I'm mean the better team overall.
LSU was about 90 seconds from exposing Alabama for what they are. An overhyped team that's good but nowhere near deserving of the media genuflecting they have received this season. I said last Friday on my weekly spot with 690am's Eric Asher that if LSU gives QB Zach Mettenberger time, bama's secondary is vunerable. They did. They were. If only Les Miles could see it.
If he could, he would have seen that bama's secondary was no match for LSU. Mettenberger and his WR's were schooling them. Converting third down after third down, bama had no answer. Not even close. Saban was desponded. So when LSU drove inside bama's 25 yard line twice in the 4th quarter by third down passing, instead of forcing an exhausted bama defense whose pass rush had disappeared and DB's were gassed to continue to chase, Miles let them off the hook. LSU never attempted at least one pass in either sets of those downs. Miles truned to the runnng game and played into the hands of bama' strength. Even trying to convert a 4th down by astonishingly taking the very player who had him poised for victory off the field. Lining up in a formation so obvious a jumbotron message announcing the play would've been less conspicuous.
The problem with LSU was their head football coach believed the media's version of 2012 bama. He seemed to think that was the BCS version of bama in Tiger Stadium Saturday night. Miles thougt the Mad Hatter was needed when really, LSU only needed a coach. Someone who trusted what he was seeing. A QB growing up in front of his very eyes. The whole world saw it. Miles didn't.
Miles defenders always point to his won/loss record. They point out his near 80% winnig percentage. They will say he had his team posied to beat the best team in the country. In truth, he continues to make questionable decisions each week. Decisions that unnecessarily get in the way of success. Decisions that make easy wins a struggle. Decisions his players must work much harder to overcome.
Decision 1. Fake FG on 4th and 12. Fail.
Decision 2. 54 yard filed goal attempt from a kicker whose career long is 44 yards. Les, that's ten yards futher than the very best your kicker has ever done. Bama takes the short field and drives to a TD just before halftime. Fail.
Decision 3. Fourth and 1. To go or not to go. Either choice is fine. The play called wasn't. Fail.
Decision 4. No attempt to score TD on the final possession. Result is missed FG and bama allowed off the mat to survive an eight count. Fail.
That fourth down play was vintage Miles. Fourth and one. Late in 4th quarter. You're up a field goal. Another FG puts you up a touchdown. A first down allows the clock to bleed and solidify the legend of Saturday night in Death Valley. Miles is brain frozen. Finally with the playclock winding down and his QB pleading for a decision. Field goal or go for it? Coach, we need a decision. Finally, in haste, Miles sends in short yardage personell. A RB lines up as QB. Not in the wildcat, but under center. Everyone bunched in. The play? QB sneak. Can be seen from Pluto. Hurried! Playclock winding down! 3,2,1...FAIL. So Miles takes his hot hand 6"6" 230lb QB to insert a 5'9" 215 lb RB to run a QB sneak to gain one yard.
Sadly, Miles went to the mad hatter on that play and thruout the game. LSU was the better team. Miles just didn't belive it.
