September 23, 2003
LSU Notes
Two weeks ago I noted here that the Georgia game would go a long way toward telling us all how good LSU really is:
"Oh sure, they're good. But are they 7-4 good? Or could they be 10-1, even undefeated good?"And so here I sit in the wake of LSU's 17-10 victory over the Bulldogs, still hoarse from all the yelling I did Saturday, and I think I have an answer: They're not "undefeated good", but they're better than I thought they were. I'm going to go with "10-2 good" (they've got a 12 game schedule this year), at least for now.
LSU has a lot working in its favor right now. In the near term, they've got Mississippi State this week. State is so unbelievably bad that even if the Tigers DO have the big let down after a big win that LSU is so famous for, they should win handily. And then they've got a week off to prepare for Florida. In the longer term, they've got all their toughest remaining games (Florida, Auburn, Ole Miss, Arkansas) at home, and this team is going to be very tough to beat at home this year.
A few quick observations about the Georgia game:
- Who would've thought that Michael Clayton could be held to 2 catches for 23 yards and LSU would still win? Everyone thought he had to have a huge game for LSU to even have a chance.
- In the first half, Georgia crossed the LSU 40 yard line 7 times and came away with 3 points total. Hats off to the LSU defense.
- A lot of Georgia fans are crowing about their 3 missed field goals costing them the game. (That's 9 points and LSU won by 7). I don't buy it. Yes, they have an incredibly reliable kicker who almost ne ver misses, so 3 misses can be arguably be called a fluke. But Georgia's lone touchdown was also a fluke. Sorry, but basic little screen passes just don't go for 93 yard touchdowns. LSU blew the coverage and missed some tackles they wouldn't normally miss on that play. So even if we give you the 9 points for the field goals, if you take away the 7 for the fluke TD, LSU still wins the game.
- Anyone who says Tiger Stadium isn't as loud or raucous as it used to be wasn't at Saturday's game. It was the largest crowd in LSU history (92,200), and the place was definitely rocking.
- Georgia fans, for the most part, are some of the classiest and friendliest fans in the SEC. I wish we played them more often.
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