November 20, 2003
LSU versus Ole Miss: A Preview
Questions abound and plotlines are many come this Saturday, as the Bayou Bengals of LSU travel to Oxford, Mississippi, to take on the Ole Miss Rebels at 2:30pm, with a national television audience looking on along with tens of thousands of screaming fans at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium...
The outcome of the game will decide-for all intents and purposes-the Division Champ, and go a long way to deciding two questions being asked by pundits and talking heads the nation over.
Can Eli Manning win the Heisman trophy? Can LSU play for the national title?
Both cannot be yes. Both could very well work out to be no, regardless of the outcome in Oxford. But, if only for a moment, let’s forget about all those questions and focus on the game.
The resilient Ole Miss team comes limping in having had an off week to prepare and get healthy. The Rebels are coming off a two game stretch that severely tested David Cutcliffe’s bunch, which included a 43-40 nail-biter against South Carolina, and a 24-20 triumph against the slumping Auburn Tigers. Against the “other” Tigers in the West, Ole Miss had 3 starters on its offensive line go down to injury, and the week off could not have come at a better time. Both games exposed what many already knew about the Rebels. They can’t stop anyone; they can only hope to outscore them.
Mississippi actually benefited by two very fortuitous happenings in the past two games.
Against the Gamecocks, USC head coach Lou Holtz seemingly made the inexplicable decision not to go for an onside kick with less than three minutes to play after pulling to within 43-40. What had been a gallant, furious comeback was all for naught as the Rebels ran out the clock, and ran out with the win.
Against Auburn, Ole Miss again hung around until the other team made a mistake. Jason Campbell-who had his best game of the season against a suspect pass defense on the part of the Rebels-led the team down the field late in the game, helped in part by young receiver Ben Obamanu, who contributed with a touchdown earlier in the 4th quarter, and then raced 51 yards on the final drive to set up Auburn’s chance at a win.
Obamanu again saw his number called as Campbell floated a pass to him, only to see the sure handed young wideout grow hands of stone. What would have been the winning score was merely an incompletion, and after a desperation pass into the end zone on 4th and goal, Ole Miss again snatched victory from the hands of defeat.
Everyone knows that Ole Miss is led by amazing 5th year senior signal caller Eli Manning and Chris Collins, Mike Espy, Bill Flowers, and Taye Biddell at wideouts.
Their sudden resurgence at running back lends its success as much to Manning’s deft mastery of the play action fake as it does to any actual improvement of talent at tailback.
The game plan is simple for Ole Miss. A dominant defense makes their offense look quite pedestrian, and a team that can throw the ball is going to thrash their secondary. But, somehow, someway, Ole Miss has made its way through a conference schedule undefeated up to this point, and their 2nd generation Rebel savior and his amazing control of the offense is the reason why.
Ole Miss has one last hurdle on its way to a cruise control victory over the dead and lifeless Bulldogs of MSU and the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta: Louisiana State University.
There’s just one problem: This LSU team is on a serious roll.
Led by the emergence of its own steady-if not amazing-quarterback, a quartet of all-conference running backs, none of whom are beyond the redshirt sophomore point in eligibility, pass catching talent that is unparalleled in the nation, truly dominant play in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and a defense that is quite possibly the best in the country, LSU is on the most impressive march to Atlanta since the first leader of “The ‘Ole War Skule”-none other than William Tecumseh Sherman-had a famous “March To Atlanta” himself back in the mid 1860’s.
LSU-behind the play of cool handed redshirt junior Matt Mauck-has been on a mission of search and destroy. Nick Saban and his mantra of “The next game on our schedule is the most important” have fueled the almost machine-like proficiency of the LSU offense and the total domination of the Tiger stop troops.
The Tiger defense, leading the country while giving up a mere 8.9 points per game and a stingy 60 yards on the ground, has played solidly all year long. The All-American play of senior Chad Lavalais, and the emergence of defensive end Marcus Spears, defensive end/tackle Marquise Hill, and others on the LSU defense who have stepped up their level of play (freshman safety LaRon Landry, senior safety-and much maligned former wideout-Jack Hunt, and senior linebacker Eric Alexander come to mind) have keyed a superior unit all year long. What has LSU seeing visions of sugar plum fairies dancing in their collective heads is the explosion of its offense.
The Tigers have put up 497 yards per game over their last four contests, all wins, and averaged 35 points per game in the process. Keying the attack has been Mauck, the SEC leader in passing efficiency at 154.1 per game.
The junior from Jasper, Indiana, has thrown for 985 yards and 11 scores over that same span, and combining that with the dominance and deftness exhibited by the LSU offensive line and running backs, respectively, LSU has riddled opponents, and it has been neither close nor pretty.
The book on stopping LSU has been…well, there really hasn’t been much that’s stopped LSU, other than LSU itself, all year.
The Tiger’s lone, agonizing loss came at home to Florida. The offense had quite possibly its worst day, with most in attendance agreeing that Mauck had his worst day since his other loss at the outset of the 2001 campaign on the road at Virginia Tech.
But, more important than the offensive sputtering on the LSU sideline, Florida and offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher may have found a chink the mighty LSU defense.
With a talented but inexperienced freshman in Chris Leak, Florida attacked the LSU defense by going to the quick huddle or the no huddle. This disallowed the Tigers to substitute based on down and distance, a huge aspect of the Tiger defense.
To combat the ferocious pass rush of LSU’s defensive line, Florida used shotgun snaps, giving Leak more time to see the field, and when they did go under center, Leak was given three and five step drops and was under strict orders to get the ball out quickly, neutralizing the front four’s push.
Combine that with Zaunbrecher actually analyzing the field, having Leak break the huddle with no less than 15 seconds on the play clock, and then having Leak look back to the sideline for a “check with me” read, and Florida was able to put up 19 points and race out of Tiger Stadium with a win.
Florida gave up 6 sacks, and Leak was badly battered and bruised, but it was clear that the game plan that the mighty, mighty Crocodile coaching staff put together was as genius as it was effective.
On Saturday, LSU’s offense will be able to score at will. This much we know. The Rebel defensive line, linebackers, and secondary are simply outclassed, to a man, in comparison.
What will tell the tale of the game is whether Ole Miss and Eli Manning can get rid of the ball quickly, find the hot reads on the blitz, and not lose composure in the face of the wilting pass rush that LSU will undoubtedly throw at the Rebels.
The guess here is that the Rebels won’t be able to run the ball, even if they want to. If they can’t run, it will be up to Manning to carry the team to victory. At each turn in which Manning has been leaned on to single handedly win the game for Ole Miss, he has been unable to keep from pressing, making mistakes, and killing his team’s chances (check out late picks to thwart comebacks versus Memphis and Texas Tech).
It’s not going to be close. It’s not going to be pretty, and it’s not going to be a great afternoon if you’re a Rebel fan. The talent disparity will make this game a snoozer. LSU continues its march, with only Arkansas and the Battle for the Boot left between them and the SEC Championship game, and a chance to play for a BCS Bowl, and perhaps a national championship.
Ole Miss will look to next year, as it has done for the past 40 years since it’s last SEC title, but with Louisiana native and onetime LSU verbal commitment, and admitted lifelong LSU fan Robert Lane coming in take over for Eli Manning (Lane was scared of the competition he faced at quarterback, with LSU signing the top signal caller from both Texas and Alabama, in Matt Flynn and uber-recruit JaMarcus Russell).
LSU’s look will be to the next year as well…as in a January BCS Bowl Game, and hopes for a sweet New Year in Nawlins.
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Chris Lawrence says:
posted on November 21, 2003 12:11 AM — linkOne thing to note is that both SC and Auburn were only able to make the game close after freak plays where they beat Von Hutchins deep - Obomanu's long pass play for the TD in the 4th, where Hutchins tipped the ball into Obomanu's hands (if Hutchins had missed the ball, it would have hit the turf), and the 98-yard pass from the end zone by Pinkins--again in the 4th. My guess is that Hutchins will see less playing time in favor of Tremaine McBride.
Oh, and the last time Manning was required to win the game, down 20-17 against Auburn late in the 4th quarter, he ran an 80-yard TD drive in which he went 9-9, including two key 3rd-and-long conversions. If anything, he was too efficient on the drive, as it gave Campbell and Obomanu enough time to pull off the screen play that got them into position for Obomanu to drop the ball.
And WTF are you talking about Robert Lane for? Next year's starting QB for Ole Miss will be sophomore Micheal Spurlock, and I've heard no one say otherwise. #3 on the chart for this year is Ethan Flatt (#2 going into the spring). Lane isn't even on the radar at this point; he's almost certainly going to be holding a clipboard at least through 2005, as I don't see Ole Miss benching a black quarterback--particularly one as good as Spurlock, who is the real deal with a good arm and who is built like a RB.
I do know that if the LSU team is as glaringly overconfident as you are, they're going to have a LONG drive back to Red Stick listening to the Anemia Bowl on the team buses.
I think LSU is the most well-rounded team the Rebels have faced all year, and I think it will be a real challenge for Ole Miss, but I also think this is the same script we've heard all year: the Rebel D is weak against the pass, they fold in the 4th quarter, Manning can't win the big game, blah blah. Of course, all we've heard after that is W (@Florida), W (Alabama), W (Arkansas State), W (Arkansas), W (South Carolina), and W (@Auburn). Then all we hear is that these teams were overrated. I guess that's the only possible reaction when your ass is getting beat in the ground by the alleged worse defense in major college football. And bear in mind that this is basically the same LSU team that scraped out a win in Red Stick last year against a Rebel team that my grandparents could have stopped on the ground.
I honestly think this game could go a whole bunch of ways. If one team shows up and the other doesn't, it could easily be a blowout. If both teams bring their A games, it will be close until garbage time. My gut feeling is Rebels by 3, but honestly I can go ±14 points, mainly because the 4th quarters of NCAA games seem to often turn into scoreboard routs (take the TCU-USM game, which was effectively a 6-point game, but the garbage TD will probably drop TCU another two spots in the polls).
From Signifying Nothing
pinged on Nov 21, 2003 1:03 AMHow big is Ole Miss-LSU? Ole Miss SID Langston Rogers says it’s the biggest game since 1952, when Maryland came into Oxford ranked #3. At...
TigerEducated says:
posted on November 21, 2003 01:10 AM — linkChris...As usual, I expected you to come out with the anti-pragmatist angle on my thoughts...
USC and AU were only able to make it close after...
That's right...I put those periods afterwards because nothing else matters other than the simple fact that Ole Miss allowed teams that we ran into the ground decisively and convincingly back into their games, and gave them opportunities to pull out the W.
I have never made an excuse for our Florida loss, but here Chris is making excuses for Ole Miss "close wins"? Gimme a break!
What you claim to be glaring overconfidence is nothing of the sort. Since I've been here, I have been on target with each of my thoughts (except giving Bama too much credit for their offense). I will again state this, the talent difference is glaring.
If you think that Auburn can knock out three of your offensive lineman, and that LSU won't relegate them to vegatable status, then you're dreaming.
USC vs. OM 43-40, OM win
USC vs. LSU 33-7, LSU winAU vs. OM 24-20, OM win
AU vs. LSU 31-7, LSU winUAT vs. OM - 43-28, OM win
UAT vs. LSU - 27-3, LSU winWhat can you take from all of that?
Those opponents scored 88 points on your defense.
Those opponents scored 17 points on our defense.You crow all you want about that offense of yours, but we're going to grind you to a bloody, gritty pulp on Saturday, and you'll be back here, damning us with faint praise about us not being able to win against Arkansarrest, or in the SEC Championship game, or how it was injuries, or how Manning got some dirt in his eye, or some other meager excuse...
But, that's okay. You are to be commended for your inability to speak about this game in a real, logical manner here on this forum. I mean, what would you be expected to do? Admit that LSU is the better team? Of course not.
I'll wait for Saturday at about 5:30 or so to come here and ask you to take a plate of crow and bite down...telling me how good it tastes...
Your house of cards comes tumbling down around your fair-haired big nosed punk of a boy-wonder on Saturday...Be prepared!
Chris Lawrence says:
posted on November 21, 2003 01:46 AM — linkI'm not going to be anywhere near my computer at 5:30 on Saturday; I have a night of serious drinking planned as we party in recognition of our SEC West championship.
And I'm not making excuses for "close wins." (Why would I need to make an excuse? We won.) Just saying not to read much into late comebacks from Auburn and SC based on freak plays against one DB. Now, maybe that's a weakness LSU can exploit. You're more than welcome to try, but I think you'll be sorely disappointed.
And I honestly think whoever wins this game will win the SEC championship. The fact is that both Ole Miss and LSU are outplaying all of the western contenders at the moment, even with Florida's late surge (bearing in mind that Florida is the least likely to make the title game, which is just as well as I'd rather see Ole Miss-Georgia or an LSU-Georgia rematch). As I've said time and time again, LSU is a very good football team, and deserving of the #3 ranking in the nation, and I'll keep saying that even if LSU wins--it'd be rather silly of me to stop saying that after they've proven to be the best team in the West on the field, after all.
Of course, you'd expect me to make excuses for Ole Miss losing because that's exactly what you'll be doing here next week if LSU loses.
You're right about one thing: the Rebels have taken the boot off the neck of too many teams this season--heck, both losses were the result of that very phenomenon. (Auburn really didn't play out that way, though, but USC and Bama did.) But I guarantee we won't be making that mistake again in 38 hours.
dave says:
posted on November 21, 2003 10:42 AM — linkI have to go with TigerEducated on this one-- LSU is going to win this one and it's not going to be close. Yes, I could end up eating those words, as this is the SEC anyone (except maybe Vandy) can beat anyone else on any given Saturday, but I don't think so. Why? To me it's quite simple: LSU is a football team, and Ole Miss is just a quarterback.
Hotty Toddy says:
posted on November 21, 2003 02:28 PM — linkToo say Ole Miss is just a quarterback is ridiculous! Manning, who is a good QB, has been sacked or pushed down more times than I can count and he OFTEN takes dives to prevent being tackled when he could easily QB sneak up the middle or around the side for at least 10 yards! The Rebs look like just a QB because it's the only one that gets CONTINUAL coverage. But we have a host of receivers and runningbacks, all relatively nameless in the media-eye but all VERY capable of stepping up and meeting the need when called upon. We haven't called up a 2nd string QB because we haven't needed to but we keep pulling receivers, running backs and offensive linemen off the sidelines like a magician keeps pulling rabbits out of a hat! You may not know the names of all of our playmakers, but that doesn't bug us. The W in the win column is all that matters and our host of "nobodys" keeps getting it done every week. Personally, if I had to choose between our host of nameless heroes or having a "Cadillac Williams" or a "Shaud Williams," I'll gladly take my no-names because, when we rendered each of these previously mentioned one-trick ponies useless, the whole team was unable to step up for a victory.
So, I look forward to bringing the LSU-sers to Vaught Hemmingway tomorrow, and soundly defeating this Trojan horse with our cast of under appreciated warriors! Go to hell, LSU, Go to hell!Andrew says:
posted on November 21, 2003 04:36 PM — linkA Hot Toddy is a drink, yes, but that is not what "Hotty Toddy" is referring to.
That's why no one likes LSU. You're a bunch of presumptuous bastards who throw full beer cans at the other schools' bands and teach your three year old children to give people the finger.
TigerEducated says:
posted on November 21, 2003 04:37 PM — link"One thing to note is that both SC and Auburn were only able to make the game close after freak plays where they beat Von Hutchins deep - Obomanu's long pass play for the TD in the 4th, where Hutchins tipped the ball into Obomanu's hands (if Hutchins had missed the ball, it would have hit the turf), and the 98-yard pass from the end zone by Pinkins--again in the 4th. My guess is that Hutchins will see less playing time in favor of Tremaine McBride."
-Chris McBride, www.fanblogs.com/sec, November 20, 2003.
Chris...If that's not try to rationalize or make an excuse for why two teams got back into games with the outcome in doubt and lying in the balance, I don't know what is.
What you're noting in that paragraph is to say, "Well, the reason they got back into it...."
That's an excuse, Chris...The reason it's an excuse is because you're trying to marginalize the reason that Ole Mrs. allowed teams to not just make the game interesting, but take the all important momentum, the upper hand if you will, and almost shove devastating losses down their throats.
Now, granted, you didn't lose. You pulled those victories out. But, instead of saying, "TE, we won those games, end of story," or admitting, "TE, we are in serious trouble, and our Pampers and Depends are going to have leakage problems on Saturday in Oxford," like any other logical individual who sees this game for what it is, you come back and justify late choke jobs by your team before you luck out a win by-collectively-a bad coaching decision, and a brain lock by a player.
As for me making excuses, I think you have I have gone over this before. The only excuse I've had the opportunity to make is the egg we laid against the Mighty, Mighty Crocodiles...and I haven't.
We lost that game, pure and simple. It was ours to win or lose, and to be honest, we went out and lost it. We played poorly.
As for your admission that Ole Miss takes the boot off too many throats, you're right, and I'm happy you're able to somewhat see the light I'm shining here...
As for not making the same mistake in the next 38 hours...You're right, Ole Mrs. won't make that mistake again...
You see, that boot you're talking about? The one that you've not stomped on opponents necks with all year long?
Well, LSU's going to take that boot and cram it up Eli's arse...
Your nightmare begins tomorrow at 2:30...
Don't fight the inevitable...embrace it...You'll feel much better...
dave says:
posted on November 21, 2003 05:32 PM — linkThen what, pray tell, does Hotty Toddy refer to if not a Hot Toddy? And why the hell would you refer to something that ISN'T a Hot Toddy that way?
That's why no one likes LSU.
Funny, I thought hundreds of thousands of people did.You're a bunch of presumptuous bastards who throw full beer cans at the other schools' bands
You want to talk about some of the low class redneck stunts other SEC schools are known for? Especially the Mississippi and Alabama schools? We no longer travel to those games for the sole reason that I dare not expose my wife and kids to the home crowds in Starkville, Oxford, and Auburn after our last several experiences there. It's downright shameful the way you people behave towards others. I've never seen anyone at LSU act so disgracefully, and I haven't missed many of their games in the last 35 years.and teach your three year old children to give people the finger.
Don't blame us if your inbred tots lack motor and coordination skills. I'm sure they'll catch up eventually. Maybe you should try sending them to school out of state.TigerEducated says:
posted on November 21, 2003 05:47 PM — linkJust to let any Ole Miss fan know...
The ONLY fans of an SEC school who have been proven guilty in a court of law of throwing objects at opposing fans-specifically, bottles of liquor/beer-has been the University of Mississippi.
So, go take your urban legends and look in the mirror...That glass house you're living is quite delicate.
Chris Lawrence says:
posted on November 21, 2003 06:14 PM — link"Hotty Toddy" actually comes from "Hoity Toity"; see here.
schmed says:
posted on November 21, 2003 09:41 PM — linkThat explains it - it's so 1920's. Even Tulane got rid of their "sis boom bah" cheer from that era.
We found y'all something a little more recent to use as part of the new mascot recommendation:
~Sugar, ah honey honey
You are my candy girl
And you've got me wanting you.
Honey , ah sugar sugar
You are my candy girl
And you've got me wanting you.We also thought of some replacement lyrics, but they're a bit rude.
One other thing, tomorrow we might cheer "Go Blue!" down in the bayou - dem wolverines some dam mean yankee nutria.
Andrew says:
posted on November 21, 2003 09:52 PM — linkEvery school has "fans" that they're ashamed of. Every school has its share of misbehaving rednecks and yahoos.
I just know that we (the band) always visited Tiger Stadium with some degree of dread, as it was the only place that we were literally spat upon and had to dodge projectiles. That's no urban legend - I speak from personal experience. But, hey, don't let me shatter your fantasies.
Now I don't know much about the actual data TigerEducated is referring to (and I would be interested to see some backup to these claims, not to say that they are false), but I can say I'm glad to know that Mississippi prosecutes its ne'er-do-wells.
In any case I hope everyone has a great time Saturday almost as much as I hope Ole Miss can pull through one more win. I think the game can easily go either way, personally, depending on who shows up. It is the SEC, after all. I would like to apologize for coming in here and flaming. LSU just happens to make the bile rise in my throat. I know, intellectually, that you're not all bucolic cajun rednecks with a penchant for hocking gobs of spittle on people, but that's just what comes to my mind.
All that said, if you can find my tent in the Grove on Saturday you're welcome to some bourbon and fried chicken. I promise I won't spit in either.
Pete Holiday says:
posted on November 22, 2003 03:15 AM — link"I know, intellectually, that you're not all bucolic cajun rednecks with a penchant for hocking gobs of spittle on people,"
I wouldn't be too sure about that. ;) Really, though, most of the LSU fans that came to Tuscaloosa this year were great, although I've heard more first-hand horror stories than I care to count about our fans going to Baton Rougue.
And TE, just for the record -- in case you're unaware, UAT is a wholly incorrect abbreviation (unless you're abbreviating "University of Alabama, The") as Tuscaloosa is the main campus and is not referred to officially by it's location... much the same way we don't say LSUBR. It seems like a nasty habit you've picked up from an AUO (Auburn University, Opelika) fan along the way.As for this particular game... I can do little but shrug my shoulders and hope it's a good one.
Pete Holiday says:
posted on November 22, 2003 03:53 PM — linkIt's still an Auburn thing; and it's still not correct... whatever the excuse for it is.
But, hey, if y'all want to look like Auburn fans, be my guest.
TigerEducated says:
posted on November 22, 2003 07:02 PM — linkChris is out drinking...but not in celebration, I assure you...
Maybe he can find Eli, Archie, and Olivia to drown his sorrows with!
Pete Holiday says:
posted on November 22, 2003 07:09 PM — linkBest to be good AND lucky, eh TE?
Hell of a football game, but I do have to ask what happened to that "extreme prejudice" that you promised!
TigerEducated says:
posted on November 22, 2003 07:18 PM — linkWe outscored Ole Miss 17-7...
Matt Mauck threw three touchdown passes, just one to the wrong team...
I honestly thought that he had his worst game of his career against Florida, but even though he threw the TD's when it counted, and scrambled decently, Mauck consistently didn't look downfield and was hesitant.
It was his worst game of his career. 3 picks is a career high.
But, we give up 227 yards total...
27 yards rushing on the day for Ole Mrs....
4 sacks, 1 pick, and one loss for Eli...
Bottom line!
dave says:
posted on November 22, 2003 08:41 PM — linkSo, I look forward to bringing the LSU-sers to Vaught Hemmingway tomorrow, and soundly defeating this Trojan horse with our cast of under appreciated warriors! Go to hell, LSU, Go to hell!
-- Hotty Toddy, Nov 21, 2003
---------------------------------------I'd just like to say, on behalf of LSU-sers everywhere....
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Now that that's out of the way, I'll put my biased spin on it. (YMMV)Even on a bad day by our standards (3 interceptions, tons of stupid penalties, and our offensive line playing like a bunch of girls), LSU was able to beat a ranked team with a Heisman-caliber QB on their home field. If LSU had had a good day, or "brought it's A-game" as the overused cliche goes, it would've been a blowout.
Andrew says:
posted on November 22, 2003 08:52 PM — linkI thought both teams deserved to lose, honestly. Not to count out the vaunted LSU defense, but Eli and company didn't even bother to show up until the fourth quarter. It was like watching a different (and much crappier) offensive team. LSU's defense is good, but I don't think anyone could hold Ole Miss to 67 yards in a half (!) if the offense showed up.
LSU didn't really look any better, especially against an Ole Miss defense that's consistently rated as bottom of the barrel.
A win is a win, and congrats, but I'm not sure I would have wanted to watch that game had Ole Miss pulled it out. It was just ugly.
TigerEducated says:
posted on November 22, 2003 09:45 PM — linkThe fact still remains that no Manning has ever won a championship on any level...
