On the game:
On the rest of the season and with reference to the last two games:
We have played two close games, closer than many thought they should be. I looked at a few past examples of teams that won it all and it gave me some perspective.
2003 LSU Team
#7 Georgia - W 17-10 @ Baton Rouge
Florida - L 7-19 @ Baton Rouge
#15 Ole Miss - W 17-14 @ Oxford
2006 Florida Team
#13 Tennessee - W 21-20 @ Knoxville
#11 Auburn - L 17-27 @ Auburn
#25 Georgia - W 21-14 @ Jacksonville
Vanderbilt - W 25-19 @ Nashville
South Carolina - W 17-16 @ Gainesville
Florida State - W 21-14 @ Tallahassee
2007 LSU Team
#12 South Carolina - W 28-16 @ Baton Rouge
#9 Florida - W 28-24 @ Baton Rouge
#17 Kentucky - L 37-43 @ Lexington (3 OT)
#18 Auburn - W 30-24 @ Baton Rouge
#17 Alabama - W 41-34 @ Tuscaloosa
Arkansas - L 48-50 @ Baton Rouge (3 OT)
2009 Alabama Team
Tennessee - W 12-10 @ Tuscaloosa
#9 LSU - W 24-15 @ Tuscaloosa
Auburn - W 26-21 @ Auburn
2010 Auburn Team
Mississippi State - W 17-14 @ Starkville
Clemson - W 27-24 @ Auburn (OT)
Kentucky - W 37-34 @ Lexington
#6 LSU - W 24-17 @ Auburn
#9 Alabama - W 28-27 @ Tuscaloosa
Each of these championship teams had close games, ugly wins and down to the wire losses against unranked opponents, rivals and in marquee match-ups. I am not saying that we will win out. I am saying that if history is any indication, then any team that goes all the way will have the type of games we had last night and against Kentucky.
Obviously there is a lot more football to be played, but I think reading too much into these past two games ignores the realities of the grueling schedule and the importance of getting the “W” in spite of inexplicable mistakes and poor performances. Also, can anyone remember when the SEC West was this strong? I could be wrong, but I believe this may be the most difficult division in the West’s history. If it isn’t, it’s got to be in the top 5. This amplifies this team’s accomplishments so far this season.
Last, I believe someone mentioned this the other day. One intangible that I think is huge for us is Mullen’s background. Mullen has been through two championship seasons in the SEC. He has at least seen and been exposed to the ups and downs of team morale, the physical and emotional toll on these young players and that the numerical “half-way mark” of the schedule is, in reality, just the beginning. I think this aspect of Mullen’s background is understated and if nothing else, only improves our chances from a coaching perspective at this stage of the season.
Hail State.
- It could not be more apparent how vital Dak is to our offense and overall game strategy. If Dak is not 100% going into the Alabama game, then I think we lose.
- Jamoral Graham should not be allowed on the field for punt returns for the rest of the season.
- Game ball has to go to our defense. They did an incredible job. Though for the life of me, I can’t understand why that damned TE wasn’t covered.
- Where was Bear? Was he double covered all night? Whatever the reason, I was surprised of the lack of his involvement, especially in such a pass-heavy game.
- For Dak to play the way he did tonight, with his injury, was also an understated achievement. The INTs were terrible, but he went out there and made the plays when they absolutely had to be made. Dak is a once in a generation type talent.
On the rest of the season and with reference to the last two games:
We have played two close games, closer than many thought they should be. I looked at a few past examples of teams that won it all and it gave me some perspective.
2003 LSU Team
#7 Georgia - W 17-10 @ Baton Rouge
Florida - L 7-19 @ Baton Rouge
#15 Ole Miss - W 17-14 @ Oxford
2006 Florida Team
#13 Tennessee - W 21-20 @ Knoxville
#11 Auburn - L 17-27 @ Auburn
#25 Georgia - W 21-14 @ Jacksonville
Vanderbilt - W 25-19 @ Nashville
South Carolina - W 17-16 @ Gainesville
Florida State - W 21-14 @ Tallahassee
2007 LSU Team
#12 South Carolina - W 28-16 @ Baton Rouge
#9 Florida - W 28-24 @ Baton Rouge
#17 Kentucky - L 37-43 @ Lexington (3 OT)
#18 Auburn - W 30-24 @ Baton Rouge
#17 Alabama - W 41-34 @ Tuscaloosa
Arkansas - L 48-50 @ Baton Rouge (3 OT)
2009 Alabama Team
Tennessee - W 12-10 @ Tuscaloosa
#9 LSU - W 24-15 @ Tuscaloosa
Auburn - W 26-21 @ Auburn
2010 Auburn Team
Mississippi State - W 17-14 @ Starkville
Clemson - W 27-24 @ Auburn (OT)
Kentucky - W 37-34 @ Lexington
#6 LSU - W 24-17 @ Auburn
#9 Alabama - W 28-27 @ Tuscaloosa
Each of these championship teams had close games, ugly wins and down to the wire losses against unranked opponents, rivals and in marquee match-ups. I am not saying that we will win out. I am saying that if history is any indication, then any team that goes all the way will have the type of games we had last night and against Kentucky.
Obviously there is a lot more football to be played, but I think reading too much into these past two games ignores the realities of the grueling schedule and the importance of getting the “W” in spite of inexplicable mistakes and poor performances. Also, can anyone remember when the SEC West was this strong? I could be wrong, but I believe this may be the most difficult division in the West’s history. If it isn’t, it’s got to be in the top 5. This amplifies this team’s accomplishments so far this season.
Last, I believe someone mentioned this the other day. One intangible that I think is huge for us is Mullen’s background. Mullen has been through two championship seasons in the SEC. He has at least seen and been exposed to the ups and downs of team morale, the physical and emotional toll on these young players and that the numerical “half-way mark” of the schedule is, in reality, just the beginning. I think this aspect of Mullen’s background is understated and if nothing else, only improves our chances from a coaching perspective at this stage of the season.
Hail State.
