LSU Football no longer in SEC's elite

Written by Ed Daniels | Wednesday, 18 November 2009 08:36 | LSU News

lsu_florida_losNo matter what happens in the next two weeks at Ole Miss and versus Arkansas, LSU football fans should not live in a delusional state. The Tigers are no longer an SEC elite.

Sorry, folks, it is the God's honest truth.

If Les Miles' team beats Ole Miss (which likely clinches a berth in the Capital One Bowl) and Arkansas, LSU will finish the regular season with 10 wins. Based on the 2009 schedule (Alabama and Georgia on the road, Florida at home), the season would have to be considered a success.

But there's a big difference between success and elite.

LSU's signature win this season is at Georgia. We thought (at the time) that Georgia was pretty good. The Bulldogs are 6-4.

In the opener, LSU had to hang on against a Washington team that was called "much improved." Turns out that improvement didn't last long. The Huskies have 3 wins and 7 losses.

In Tigertown, the paying customer spoke up last Saturday night. Boos were not solely aimed at struggling quarterback Jarrett Lee. A football uneasiness not felt in Baton Rouge for awhile has surfaced.

During a very lackluster victory against Louisiana Tech, one of my buddies (sitting in the high rollers section) sent me a text. It said, "They want Miles gone now." It was halftime, and LSU trailed a 3 win team by a score of 13-10.

And 30 minutes later, that chatter ceased as LSU dominated the second half on the way to a 24-16 victory.

Here was LSU, ranked 8th in the BCS standings, on its way to its 8th win of the season in 10 games, and no one was happy.

When this season is over, Les Miles will look back and come to one conclusion - I won't be back in the SEC elite (translation: good enough to beat Florida and Alabama) until I can once again dominate the line of scrimmage.

LSU is solid, but not great, on the defensive line. The Tigers are frankly, sub par, on the offensive line, as a whole. The way to beat Alabama and Florida is to run the football effectively and pressure the quarterback.

In those two games this season, the Tigers have one quarterback sack. Against Florida, LSU's Charles Scott was held to 53 yards. Keiland Williams had 3 carries for 1 yard. Alabama ran for 4.6 yards a carry on LSU. When the Tide needed a yard, they could get it.

My conclusion about the 2009 Tigers is this: Les Miles and his staff have not recruited well enough up front of both sides of the ball. And that fact has cost the Tigers a chance at a national championship.

Wins at Ole Miss and at home against Arkansas will "salvage" a 10-win season. For a fan base that sat through Curley Hallman and the final 2 years of Gerry DiNardo, not being happy with 10 wins seems almost silly.

But that reaction is the reality of being the football coach at LSU. And don't think Les Miles doesn't know it.
Comments (31)Add Comment
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written by Jon, November 20, 2009
Ed is right here. LSU has struggled to run the ball on teams like Vandy and ULL. The OL played poorly against Florida, especially when you see teams like Arkansas and Tennessee run the ball better on Florida than LSU did. Everyone on here is making excuses about the QB, but the QB has nothing to do with a poor running game or pass protection. Jefferson would be good, if he had better play around him.

Ed's not always right though, he underestimated the Saints, and overestimated the Hornets. He gave Scott too much credit, and Payton not enough credit. smilies/kiss.gif
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written by Michael, November 19, 2009
This article is garbage and your points are muddled. You pointed out just about every negative stat and every low-point of the season. Why don't you talk about how LSU thrashed Auburn? You'd rather mention how the team struggled against LA Tech with not even a mention of how JJ was sidelined with an ankle injury. The fact is that LSU is still one of the two elite teams in the SEC West and one of the three elite teams in the SEC. Therefore, they will continue to be right there competing for SEC championships and national championships. Do you really think that any coach in the nation can be brought to LSU and do better in recruiting than Miles has over the likes of Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Lane Kiffin - Ed Orgeron, Steve Spurrier, Houston Nutt, etc? If there is one thing Miles has done a good job at, it's recruiting. Consistently top 3 in the nation. In all reality, LSU has suffered in three areas this year: 1. Play calling has been too conservative 2. Offensive and Defensive Line has underachieved 3. QB experience and QB depth.

I would like to add 4. the underutilization of talent, but LSU has been known for that in recent years.

Compare this year's team to 2007, and you will find that these three differences are the most noticeable.
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written by Bear Bryant, November 19, 2009
If you really want to walk the streets of heavenly gold, then you have got to know the pass word "ROLL TIDE ROLL"!
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written by Tony C., November 19, 2009
This is the truth, nothing but the truth, and the fact is that no LSU fan can handle the truth!
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written by Spidey, November 19, 2009
By Ed's standards, at a mere 6 national titles (half of which were not unanimous) in 25 years of coaching at Alabama, Bear Bryant didn't have an elite program.

The negatigers will say "But Leeesss isn't no Bear Bryant!" - I'm not saying he is. Les is not the best coach to ever coach college football. All I'm saying is that by the standards some of you ninny baby whiners apply, even the best coach in the history of college football is substandard.

Success in football comes in cycles. If you want to watch your team win 11+ every year become a Pac 10 fan. This is the SEC. Today's "elite" program is tomorrow's disappointment.

One thing is for certain. At the end of the year, LSU is going to go to a bowl game. And, like the past 4 years in a row, LSU will, after a slow start, rip their opponent to shreds. Their fans will be left speechless, wondering why they ever bothered to follow football in the first place. Some of the opponent's coaching staff may even get fired. And the potential recruits, sitting home watching TV around New Year's, seeing LSU dominate a top 10 ranked team year in and year out - will want to go to LSU.

This is one of the most redeeming aspects of the Tigers under Les. No matter how the season goes, the New Year ALWAYS starts off right!!!

GEAUX

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written by score_again, November 19, 2009
Les Miles/Less Smiles......It is what it is!
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written by Justmslil, November 19, 2009
OH By the Way...."the God's Honest Truth"???? Since when is your opinion God's truth??I take offense that you think God whispered in your ear these Truths!!! I don't think so....I am not sure who your god is, but The God that I believe in is the one who said to believe the "size of a musard seed"......I think we can manage that!!!! Every college football fan (LSU/Alabama/Ole Miss/etc... has the right to feel pride in their team year in and year out, wins and losses! Like Les Miles said Booing at your own team or coach has never led to something positive... any writing this kind of article only serves the hate mongers!!!
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written by Justmslil, November 19, 2009
What a load of C%#P! I am so glad that the response thus far to your article is letting you know that DIE HARD FANS are still out there! And true die hard fans don't appreciate negative articles when the BEST thing for a team is a BOOST! I live in Mississippi, and catch hell from Alabama fans and Ole Miss fans enough each year, but the bottom line is that the more a team is feared the louder the opposing fans will "holler". LSU is admired throughout the USA. It is really pitiful when someone from close to home gets PAID to put a team and a damn good coach down. Evidently, money in your pocket is what this article was all about.
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written by Davidwperk, November 19, 2009
This kind of sports writing may pay your bills. And, it may get "Amen" shouts from Les Miles haters. And,it may get angry "paw the ground" anger from blindly loyal fans. It gets none of those reactions from me, because I don't belong in any of those camps. But, this kind of sports writing is pure bull shit. "No longer among the elite" based on what? And, a conclusion drawn without a reference to all the obstacles this team has had to overcome spelled PERRILLOUX disaster.

Take a walk in the sun. It'll do you good.
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written by Tiger, November 19, 2009
I guess Ed missed the facts that LSU held UF to 13 and only lost by 10, while LSU only lost to Bama due to the refs ( if you think it was just the interception call, you didn't watch the game ). And speaking of beating Bama, last year it took an overtime interception and two regulation pick sixes off of the human pick six machine, Jarett Lee, for Bama to win.

Ed == clueless
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written by enemy, November 18, 2009
Ed Daniels- you should be fired.LSU is in rebuilding year.To make this statement publicly could hurt recruiting and subjects LSU to public bashing-just go to Rivals sounding board.Why don't you write about disbanding Tualne football;quit worrying about LSU.
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written by Johnny B., November 18, 2009
Funny how the some writers(haters) are just salivating to bury LSU. Ed has never been a fan of LSU. Yea 10 wins and a top 10 tam is not elite. Close losses to the "elite" teams of the SEC prohibits us from being one. Typical. But hey Ed I know you are hoping to convince a few elite high school players to stay away from LSU so maybe your little article will work. However anyone with a little common sense knows its trash.
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written by Walter, November 18, 2009
Ed,
Enjoy reading your comments - sorry I don't agree with your conclusions all the time, which is fine.
LSU won the BCS in 2007. Miles makes a decision that neither Sabin nor Myers would make when he dropped Perrilloux for the long term good of the program. 2008 is a disaster, but they still win 8 games. This year we are still paying for 2008 QB problems & we are on the brink of winning 11 games - with loses to the top 2 teams in the nation. I think you are being short sited.
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written by andre moreau, November 18, 2009
i don't know if it's delusional to think we are among the elite anymore, but I believe the records show LSU stacks up quite well since 2000. In fact, close to the top, if not there. I believe 10 wins this year gives LSU 100 for the decade, which is big stuff. Right now, it sure feels rough though and it is. The team has been lame for their talent and put the bullseye on coaching. Miles has to answer for that. If he doesn't, then he does not deserve his big fat paycheck. Too bad Mack Brown (who wanted the LSU job way back when, never worked out). That man is good, but that is ancient history. LSU no longer plays like an elite team, but again --good coaches can change that. Will changes be made among the ranks to right the issue?
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written by JoeTiger, November 18, 2009
The SEC is "elite". Our intra-conference rivalries are fierce as they need to be to send our best representative to the title match. No one team will stay at the top of the SEC. A team is more than recruited individual talent. It's not just up to the coach to help them bond into a team. Leadership has to be present on the field. Les Miles has his hands full, but I believe he's holding back on more sophisticated plays
until his team can attain the aptitude for the additional attitude required to execute.
Support your team; have a good time doing it; remember - your TIGERBAIT!
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written by SECfan2424, November 18, 2009
What everyone that keeps talking about these great recruiting classes fail to realize is that recruiting rankings mean absolutely nothing. The difference between good coaches and great coaches in their ability to evaluate the talent. If coaches when by what Rivals and Scout said, they would be in big trouble. The majority of of the top talent never turns out to be as good as these services say. Once these guys get on campus they are no longer the best player on the field because everyone on the field is just as good. Miles is nowhere close to coach that Saban is. He clearly can't take great high school players and turn them in to great college players with as much success as Saban can. Saban took Shula's players to the SEC championship and an undefeated regular season in only his second season and it seems as he brings in more and more of his players Bama is getting stronger and stronger. I believe that Miles rode Saban's coattails to a National Championship, but if he can't prove to do it on his own he is going to be in big trouble. College football is cyclical and there is no need to rush to get rid of Miles, but I would say that if he continues to finish 3rd or 4th over the next 2 years, LSU will get rid of him, that's if he doesn't take the Michigan job next year!!!!
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written by LSUFan, November 18, 2009
Ole Miss is looking good this year, i doubt we get our 10 wins. I expect we'll come away from oxford with a loss. 9-3 at best.
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written by Joe, November 18, 2009
Not in the SEC elite? Are you sick? Having bad dreams at night?

LSU has been the decade "Elite" SEC team. Last week LSU played the game against Tech with the throttles pulled back, designed to heal injuries. All they needed was a win. Not a big win. They got their win.

This is a rebuilding year. We've said that from the beginning. No one expected LSU to be 8-2 at this point. We were expected to lose at Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, with eyes turned toward Auburn. Ole Miss was supposed to be a sure loss. If you were honest with yourself, a 7-5 season seemed realistic, althought you wished for at least 8-4, getting by Auburn, Mississippi St. Vanderbily, and Arkansas. Again, you weren 't so sure about Auburn.

8-2 with pretty good chances agains the last two,if Jefferson is back.

Don't ya just hate doomsayers!
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written by k144, November 18, 2009
nice article
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written by Back to mid tier, November 18, 2009
Alabama is back at full power. They are just taking back their throne and LSU is going back to mid tier status as it was before the NCAA did a witch hunt on Alabama. Now, I know why the LSU fans were so upset with the Alabama hiring of Nick Saban. With Nick Saban at Alabama and plugged into Alabama's resources and facilities and tradition, LSU's brief stint as an elite SEC school is pretty much dead in the water. National titles SEC titles, are things of the past. Hope the LSU fans took plenty of snap shots because all they are now is memories...tootles and Roll Tide...Thanks for Saban too smilies/wink.gif
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written by Hank-N-Me, November 18, 2009
DELUSIONAL STATE? LSU lost to the #1 and #2 teams in the nation by a total of 19 points. That's not bad considering LSU is playing with a Sophmore QB and play calls from the Curley Hallman or Jerry Stovall days. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Nick Sabin recruted Perrilloux and the other QB (can't remember his name)who decided to leave LSU this past year, and we were left with inexperienced freshmen and sophmore QB's. I believe Jefferson will improve in time. Keep your eye on #34 Stevan Ridley (FB; I like his style of running. We have lots of good football to be played in the coming years. I'm just as frustrated as the next guy, but keep your heads up tiger fans and stop booing your team. When your kid makes a mistake on the field, do you boo him/her? Be positive towards your team. Not to many fans can say their team won the national championship twice in 5 years on top of being the SEC champs 3 times in 7 years and going to 5 bowl games since 2000. Have some pride. As for you Ed Daniels, sounds like you're a fan of different colors or you are the delusional one.
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written by Joe Bob from NOLA, November 18, 2009
John Joe,

I think you seem to forget that just because LSU is rolling in these high rated recruiting classes doesn't mean our rivals (in particular Florida and Alabama) are not doing the same thing. Not to mention Auburn, Tennessee, and Georgia recruit at a high level as well. So, if you mean #6 in the SEC is still the elite then by your definition then yes we are not going anywhere. We are on a slippery slope and Florida and Alabama has passed us now. Doesn't mean we can't retake what was once ours but after the collapse last year and clearly not being in the same league as Alabama and Florida as a team right now I am a little worried. I do think calling for Les Miles's head right now is a bit over the top. If we were to get rid of him then it would set our program back a couple of years. These next two games against Ole Miss and Arkansas will say a lot about our program and coach. If we win them both (like we are suppose to) then I have all the confidence in Les Miles. If we should split them then I am on the edge of my seat wanting some answers. If we lose them both then whats the point of recruiting rankings they obviously don't mean anything and I would be happy to show Les Miles the door.

Thanks
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written by BigMike03, November 18, 2009
To be dominant in this league you need the studs on the Offensive and Defensive Lines. LSU has not recruited or developed talent there at the elite level that Saban did. No more Dorsey's, McFarland's, T Jackson's or Spears.

Les Miles is a good coach but as much as i hate to say it Nick Saban is an elite coach. Saban's ability to evaluate talent, bring that talent to the campus and then develop that talent is outstanding and you can see the effects its had at Alabama is just a couple of seasons.
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written by Tigers in NC, November 18, 2009
If being in top 3 in SEC and top 10 nationally is not elite...then its time to change the definition of elite. I am not suggesting we should be cocky, but c'mon we have an awesome football. Both Bama and Gators have had issues playing against non-conference opponents.

Folks!!! We had a tough 2008, but much improved 2009. I don't see us going anywhere but up (caveat: fire Crowton).
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written by Janis Lakin, November 18, 2009
LSU is a good team but not in the same class with Alabama and Florida. What they have that LSU lacks is leadership--you can't get that from a first year quarterback. It will be interesting to see if he can overcome this years mistakes to be a better player and team leader for LSU next year.
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written by Ajax in H-Town, November 18, 2009
I don't know why this all surprises me.... it really shouldn't. I know how utterly ridiculous sports fans have become lately (and I'm not an LSU fan) but I am somewhat comforted in what the song says "what a fool believes, the wise man has the power... to reason away". And if that is indeed fact, hopefully there are are broader minds in B/R than this writer and whoever it was that got him thinking (or not) in this direction
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written by Bob, November 18, 2009
Miles is good but not a great coach. LSU is a good team but not a great team. Perrilloux really hurt this program.
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written by Eddie, November 18, 2009
Allow me to read between the lines a bit and give you the basis of this story. Miles is being outcoached by Saban and Meyer which is not gonna get it in Baton Rouge.
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written by Bamalover9, November 18, 2009
When are you freaking idiots going to realize that recruiting rankings do not mean jack when guys step on the field! The only thing that matters is how well a coach evaluates. Sure Miles' classes have been great in recent years, but when it all comes to a head what does that mean? Not much!!!! On paper he has recruited well, but what does he have to show for it? This writer is right, and he is a dead on. Regardless of rankings, its blatantly obvious Florida and Alabama are better than LSU. You can trust recruiting rankings all you want, but if they don't get it done on the field what do you have? Nothing...I can give you a list of 4 and 5 star players at LSU that have not panned out.
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written by Brandon, November 18, 2009
Ed,

I think your conclusion misses the point. The problem most people have with Miles doesn't have anything to do with recruting. The problem is with his game management. That said, Miles hasn't done anything to get fired.
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written by John Doe, November 18, 2009
Ed,

I honestly do not see how you could be saying this. LSU has had 1 of the top 3 recruiting classes in the nation the past few years. Yes they played Tech last week without their starting quarterback and running back. They still have one of the most dominating defenses in college football. You must have forgotten that it took LSU 4 years to win another national championship after 2003. They have been playing with a 19 year old quarterback and have lost to the #1 and #2 teams in the nation. It honestly blows my mind that people are calling for Les Miles head right now. With these recruiting classes rolling in, LSU WILL be in the SEC's elite for years to come.

Thanks

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