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SI.com college football writer Stewart Mandel shares his commentary, analysis and random tidbits on the latest developments around the country.12/01/2007 08:11:00 PM Championship Saturday Observations, Part II
After all the pregame theatrics, it would have been pretty embarrassing if college football’s newest (rumored) $3 million man lost the SEC championship game. He can thank outgoing defensive coordinator Bo Pelini for keeping that from happening.
Les Miles and star DT Glenn Dorsey celebrate LSU's third conference title since 2001.AP
With QB Matt Flynn out and backup Ryan Perrilloux himself playing with an injured finger, LSU’s offense struggled mightily Saturday against Tennessee, managing a sole touchdown. It looked dicey for the Tigers after the Vols went up 14-13 late in the third quarter.
But LSU’s recently maligned defense -- one playing without star Glenn Dorsey, as CBS’ broadcasters reminded us about 70 times -- came up with two huge interceptions, the first Jonathan Zenon’s 18-yard touchdown return to put the Tigers ahead, the second by Darry Beckwith when Erik Ainge had the Vols on the verge of a potential game-tying touchdown.
So Les Miles delivers the SEC title his heavily talented team was predicted to win coming into the season. LSU will head to the Sugar Bowl. I still think, however, this season should be considered a disappointment in Baton Rouge.
As evidenced by those two huge fourth-quarter plays, the Tigers had the talent on defense to win a national championship, and were in position to play for one -- twice. Dorsey’s injury certainly had a huge effect -- he’s that important -- but injuries are a part of the game. At the end of the day, the Tigers were underachievers … but they are SEC champions.
• There’s no understating the significance of what USC accomplished Saturday in clinching an unprecedented sixth straight Pac-10 championship. However, the Trojans’ largely underwhelming performance against UCLA should dispel the recent talk about USC being back in national-championship form.
The Trojans had one extremely dominant and impressive performance against Arizona State -- but that’s all it was: one game. Much like LSU, there’s no question USC had a national championship-caliber defense this season, but the offense -- specifically the passing game, which was once again inconsistent Saturday -- never quite evolved the way you would have liked.
Don’t get me wrong, though: They’re still a force to be reckoned with, and I certainly wouldn’t want to face them in the Rose Bowl. And I wouldn’t want to be Karl Dorrell right now. I’ve got to assume he just coached his last game for the 6-6 Bruins.
• Howard Schnellenberger has done it again.
The team he built from scratch, Florida Atlantic (7-5), knocked off defending champion Troy (8-4) Saturday to capture the Sun Belt title and accompanying berth in the New Orleans Bowl. Not bad for a team playing just its third season in Division I-A.
The result means that there’s now an extra at-large team (Troy) on the bowl market, but the Trojans -- which clobbered Oklahoma State early in the season -- may have trouble finding a home. The Armed Forces Bowl may be the one viable option, but it will likely have a choice between Troy and a surplus Big Ten team like Purdue.
• It’s 8 p.m. here on the East Coast: Time to watch the national championship matchup unfold in front of our eyes.posted by Stewart Mandel | View comments |Comments:
Such is the life of an elite team. You win the championship of the toughest conference, lose 2 games in overtime, and your season is a disappointment. Poor old LSU.
Let's wait until the games are over before we leave the Tigers out of the big game. The voters can't keep 2-loss GA (no division title) ahead of 2-loss LSU (conf champ).Hey, don't cry for us! We're keeping our coach, our talent and our signees! Not a bad deal. And if it's $3M for the contract, that's fine by this alum. Most of the Tiger Athletic Foundation donors didn't actually graduate from LSU. Bring on the dough, nonLSU grads!If you want someone to cry for:
there is a team in FBS that will finish 8-4 with losses to two current top 10 teams, Arkansas (who just beat LSU), and their conference champion that will not go to any bowl.
Purdue and TCU will likely be selected for the remaining at large births over Troy.Stewart, I've always liked your writing but you are wrong on this one. How can you call a team of college athletes under achievers? Especially this LSU team with what it has been through and losing 2 triple overtime games. You and the media have put LSU on a pedistal all season. Now that they don't make it you dog them. They had a great season and will be back next year with Les Miles competing again for a National Championship. By the way, last time I noticed no college football team has one 2 BCS National Championships. I don't think I even need to comment on the topic of paridy in College Football today.Stewart, I've always liked your writing but you are wrong on this one. How can you call a team of college athletes under achievers? Especially this LSU team with what it has been through and losing 2 triple overtime games. You and the media have put LSU on a pedistal all season. Now that they don't make it you dog them. They had a great season and will be back next year with Les Miles competing again for a National Championship. By the way, last time I noticed no college football team has one 2 BCS National Championships. I don't think I even need to comment on the topic of paridy in College Football today.Of the 2-loss teams that might could be considered for the nat'l title game, LSU is going to have as good a case as anyone.
1. Won their conference (OU could be the other one if they beat MIzzou)
2. Beat the holy tar out of another BCS conference champ (VT). No one else in consideration has a win anywhere near as good as that one. USF's win over WV wasn't bad, but not near as good as the VT smackdown.
Argue all you want about who's loss(es) is/are stronger, weaker, more important, less important, early, or late.
To me, it's just as important who you beat as who beat you. And no one has as good a win on their resume anywhere this year as LSU's steamroller win over VaTech.The most hilarious thing is that Les Miles and LSU proved ALL of the pundits wrong! Geaux Tigers!under achievers! That's a bit harsh for a group of seniors that have done what these young men have done. Looking at thier overall record they could hardly be considered under achievers! Besides it isn't over until the fat lady sings. They're not out of it yet.I'm a Big 10 guy, and though it pains me I would agree that Stew is out of line. Tennessee had a sick defense in that game, and to win on a banged up back-up, that takes some heart. I think LSU's season is a disappointment in the subjective sense from the point of view of the Tiger fans, but from an objective viewpoint, it was a great success. LSU is going to keep bringing in the great recruits; this is only the start of better things. Flat out, they scare me.JW, I'd like to remind you that Georgia was in fact was the co-champion of the SEC East. However, Tennessee held the tie-breaker.I do not care what you think. I have enjoyed watching the LSU team the last 3 years under Miles 33-6. There were a lot of exciting games these last 3 years. LSU Could have had a better team last year when it lost 2 games. You have to have luck and a healthy cast. The top ten teams can beat each other on any given week.JW, Georgia was the co-champion of the SEC East. Tennessee simply held the tie-breaker.stewie, Les is the coach at LSu and the real LSU faithful love him for what he has done for the university. As i watch Pitt beating WV with 6 min left in the 4th and confident that OU will win, I can only hope that LSu ends the season in NO. Not in the sugar but beating the Cr@p out of OSU just like FL did last year. At the end of the day LSU is the beast team in the beast conference, with the best coach.Wow Mandel, not even trying to hide your hatred of USC any more? This is a team that played 4 top 10 teams this year - all on the road. Somehow, I think they must've turned in more than one good game. Let's see any team from the "Mighty" SEC stand up to that schedule.I think Les Miles is (1) afraid to go head to head with Tressel for a decade or so (not probable) or (2) got ticked off by someone at Michigan, probably Carr who will still be the associate AD!I'm in a state of apoplexy. WV lost? OU beating Mizzu... Les Miles had to be looking in his Magic 8-ball to think that the unthinkable is actually thinkable that LSU may end up in the National Championships. And, if we are, the Michigan man is going to come out in him against Ohio. Be afraid... be very afraid!JW,
just as you say they cant keep Georgia ahead of conference champ LSU, I don't think anyone can get LSU ahead of VT (which also won the conference and have 2 losses too)
and LSU beating VT was a long long time ago.I agree that Georgia shouldn't be in the title game having not won their conference - just like OU in 2005. But I don't see any justice in LSU hopping over 6 teams who didn't play to get the #2 ranking. We'll see if Miles pulls a Mack Brown and cries his way into the game.P.S. Kudos for "apoplexy"You build LSU up all season long, only too bad mouth them after winning the SEC championship. You sir, are quite slimey word. I'd like to said worse, but I won't. You, Stewie, have swung with whoever seems to win each week. I remember you being an Oregon Groupie while they had their 15min's of fame, but they showed there true lack of talent with the lose of one player. How many LSU are injured? And I believe LSU won today and their only loses being two 3OT loses by 6 and 2 points. Your type of journalism stinks and is the fuel for several uneeded pointles debates on these messageboards. Yes LSU MIGHT not achieve the ULITMATE goal, but they have checked all but that one goal off the list. Stewie, can't you find another story worth writing than pissing on LSU's parade. Have some class.and I could care less about my spelling and grammar.Think you have this exactly wrong. After the dust settles this evening, LSU will be playing OSU for the national championship. And a month from now those Cornhuskers will be looking across the line at a healthy LSU defense. Can't wait!Ohio State vs. LSU, January 7, 2008, New Orleans, LA -- mark your calendarsFor all the times you criticize crazy message boarders for not being satisfied with anything less than perfection, I cannot believe you would call a season in which LSU won the SEC - in what was far from a down year for the conference - a disappointment. Just remember how this psychology works - how you label a conference championship season marred only by two triple overtime losses - the next time you criticize school's fans / radio fiends for being too harsh on their schools.Come on, Tiger Fans. Stew has a point. Sure, I consider this season a success, but I strongly believe that LSU had the personel to do better. We beat Florida, Bama & Auburn in one season. I don't think we ever did that before. But to lose to Kentucky and Arkansas, not some of the better SEC teams, is a let down. Sure, I can understand losing one game in the SEC race, but not 2 mediocre teams.
However, it would be a travesty if, since W.V. and Miz have lost, that LSU wasn't in the title game. Georgia and Kansas weren't even in there conference title games. LSU Killed V.T. And of course, their is Ohio State- who's strength of schedule and no conference championship game will land them in the title game. Does anyone besides the fans of those teams think LSU should not be in the title game?It was also a tough day for sports journalists who used 'LSU' in a definitive sentence.Hey bot,
Good to hear from a rational SEC fan. As a Buckeye fan, I wouldn't say that LSU shouldn't be in the NC game. Isn't that a bit presumptuous of you to think that?
And by the way, conference championship games are a voluntary thing that conferences with 12 teams or more MAY schedule and play at their discretion. It isn't quite respectable of you to put conferences down that don't choose to hold a championship game just because your favorite conference does and it can backfire....but rest assured conference championship games are about the money.All I want to say is this...if no one thinks UGA should be playing for the National title, then why did they get ranked number four after the last BCS rankings came out. The bottom line is this, they won the games, they were a young team coming into the season, they matured, they PLAYED FOOTBALL IN THE TOUGHEST CONFERENCE IN NCAA FOOTBALL...why not give them a chance to play...if you are not, then I think Ohio State should not have a chance either...WHO DID THEY REALLY PLAY THIS YEAR????Pat White has got to suck it up a bit more, he cost his team IMO. Yes, a dislocated thumb is extremely painful....but with some ice and then a shot he could've been back out there before the 4th quarter. The injury was to his non-throwing hand...Consider this about LSU.
Most of the hype about the Tigers was built up by the press who now often put's them down.
Look at their season, pick any of the contenders
How many lost their quarterback for 2 or more games, lost linemen, lost a D-Lineman for most of the effective season who will be a high #1 draft choice, same for a world class wide reciever. How many played a Title game without their quarterback, world class D-Lineman, World Class Reciever, and reserve D-Backs and still won fairly handily. And add to this, how many did this for most of an SEC Season? SM what you need to realize that what LSU has accompished this year is nothing short of amazing. But like all here, you have the right to your opinion.LSU -- national championship quality defense? Puh-lease. Nobody in college football has a national championship quality defense. Maybe Ohio State, which gave up a season-high 28 points to Illinois but was otherwise close to impenetrable (the Buckeyes gave up 17 points in their second-worst game, and 14 of those came on turnover returns and can't be chalked up to defense).
LSU spent much of the season giving up points in wads -- and no national championship quality defense should let teams run on them the way the Tigers have. Arkansas just brutalized them on the ground. I realize Dorsey's hurt, but it's not about whose healthy starters might be best. It's about how the full squads play out over the course of the season. (OSU lost a premier lineman, Lawrence Wilson, to an early-season injury. They plugged in a freshman, made adjustments, and did just fine.)
I'm not saying LSU won't -- or shouldn't -- get in the title game and win it all. But if they do, it'll be the whole package that gets it done. And grit and gamble will have something to do with it, too.
I just think it flies in the face of a great deal of evidence to tout LSU's defense as national championship caliber. I guess it's true you don't see much defense in college football these days, and maybe Mandel has adjusted his standards accordingly.Stewart, how can you possibly put down on this LSU team that came back from a hugely disappointing 4-overtime loss last Saturday, and overcame two weeks of media distractions about Les Miles and Bo Pelinni, to win a championship in spite of many injuries including both quarterbacks. LSU has played with great heart all season long, like the champions they now are. It is cheap of you to talk trash about what they have accomplished. You are the disappointment to me-- not them.What I have to question is why the talking heads in the media insist on putting LSU (and USC) in National Title contention when in LSU's case, they lost 2 games and hung on to barely win several others. Tonight's game was just the latest in a streak of games that LSU has squeaked out of. That is NOT National Championship material.By the way...if you don't believe the SEC is the toughest conference in NCAA football, think about this...10 out of 12 teams in the conference are going to bowl games...out of that 10, 6 teams have 8 or more wins this season. What other conference can say that...and I don't care who won the SEC champ game...UGA was ranked 4th going into the week...they belong in the national title game...I would say that for any team that was sitting at number four right now...THIS IS WHY WE NEED A PLAY OFF...SCREW THE BCS!One fact that is continiously left off of this blog is that LSU has lost two of their last five while Georgia and USC have finished strong. LSU looked terrible in their offensive attack today and that alone should keep them out of the BCS. Going on talent, the teams that that should play for the championship are Georgia and USC which will more than likely play in the Rose bowl. Unfortunately, Ohio State who played in an incredibly weak conference will get a bid and LSU who has proven inconsistent on both sides of the ball, will play for a national championship. Only because we let a computer tell us who is better. If you ask me, If Georgia and USC get a chance to play in the Rose, I will pick my number one based on that.Hmmm....LSU with 2 losses play in the Championship Game, but Oklahoma, with two losses, beats Missouri (ranked #1) TWICE, wins the conference championship and DON'T go to the game? Also, consider Oklahoma didn't squeak by half their games like LSU did. Oklahoma, from what I saw tonight, would clean LSU's platter this year.I don't really care who they put in the national title game but LSU finished the regular season going 4-2 (including losing their last contest to knock them out of 1st place for a 2nd time) while Georgia finished 6-0 and beat Florida, Auburn, Kentucky and Georgia Tech along the way (and none of those games were really all that close). The voters put teams like Virginia Tech and Georgia above LSU at the end of the regular season because they were better teams when the regular season ended. Beating a good Tennessee team is a great accomplishment but I am not sure if it merits jumping three or even two teams in the BCS standings. There are a lot of teams who have claims to play in the National Championship which proves that it is time for college football to finally get this playoff system going. Winning conference championships are good and all but lets be real honest here...no one is playing better than USC and they won their conference championship too. LSU is a great team but a 4-2 ending to a regular season isn't something to brag about...With six weeks for healing of injuries before the national title game, LSU will be ready for anyone who ends up on the playing field with them.For you LSU fans out there, I think many would agree with me when I say that LSU is lucky that UGA didn't make it to the SEC title game...UGA would have taken the SEC title hands down...LSU is overrated . The press has been giving them the title all season . If they are so much better than everyone else, why do they have some many close games and surrender so many points ? A loss is a loss no matter how many OT'S. Have we all forgotten they have won in OT ALSO ? They could very well be 8 and 5 . If you're the best you should win decisively .LSU vs Ohio St. in the Big Easy
les la bon temp roule!!!To all the LSU fans...you are only lucky..not good. The only reason your coach didn't bolt to Michigan is because some Michigan idiot opened his trap to early. Woe to the SEC. Always claiming to be the best, yet never reaching the top. If you crawl into the BSC title game, be prepared. If you play that game like you have the second half of the season, OSU is going to stomp you into the ground..in your own back yard. PS...the PAC-10 and BIG XII were, BY FAR, better conferences then the SEC this year..and most years for that matter!!!I guess that is why OSU won the national title game last year against an SEC team...oh wait...UF won that game...how many bowl games will have PAC-10 and BIG XII this year...I am sure not as many as the SEC...UGA hasn't exactly been crawling lately (like LSU). They've been one of the hottest team in the nation the past two months. I'll bet on the Dawgs to be there in their black jerseys against OSU on Jan 7th!!!For those who have been unable to process this: Georgia did win their division. They did not play in the SEC championship game because they lost a "tie-breaker" -- head-to-head with Tennessee. Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU all finished with 6-2 conference records. If Florida had lost one less conference game, they would have gone to the championship game, because they had a better record against Eastern Division teams than either Georgia or Tennessee. It's the second tie-breaker after head-to-head. If the tie-breaker had been highest ranked team or overall record, Georgia would have made it to Atlanta. If the SEC did not have a conference championship like the Big Ten, Georgia would be recognized as SEC co-champions. Georgia was ranked 4th in the BCS before today. The top two teams lost. Georgia should move up two spots. To deny them that opportunity because of how the SEC chooses to do its tie-breakers would be a gross miscarriage of justice.LMAO........Stew baby I think you have had a cerebral enema.What a jackass!
GEAUX TIGERSSEC Unite! Whether its LSU or Georgia, I beg to have the opportunity to once again display the dominance of the best conference in college football. I'm rooting for the Tigers, but if the Bulldogs make the trip - Go Dogs!Stewart-
Isn't it ironic that our long national nightmare is not over after all and has turned out to be an SEC team backing into the national championship game? The slogan that best describes the sports media during the 2007 college football season is "How can so many be so wrong about so much for so long"?I remember all the trash talk about LSU in 2003. And then they beat Oklahoma in the BCS title game. You can call LSU lucky then and now, but I call them determined and unwilling to give up on themselves-- no matter what trash talkers say.For all you UGA fans out there,
Do you guys really think that a good case can be made for UGA going to the NC game over LSU? Think about this: LSU's losses came in triple overtime while UGA's loses weren't even close (particarly the Tenn. loss). Also, If i'm not mistaken LSU just won the conference that UGA plays in. UGA being voted up to #4 last week is a joke - so, if LSU jumps you (and they will), just rest assured that justice was served.Hopefully the computers and popularity poles will make the title game OSU vs OU, OU vs, USC, or OSU vs USC. The last thing the nation needs is an overrated SEC team backing into the title game against any of those more formidable opponents.The SEC champ has never lost a BCS title game, the record is 4-0. That alone should put LSU in the title game.This post has been removed by the author.I have to say that the blogger that thinks that Ohio State will beat LSU or UGA or USC or OU is very biased. Ohio State won the weakest division of the main five divisions (I say five because the Big East played much better this season). The people that think LSU should go to the NCG are right and wrong. They are right under the current system because they did win the SEC, which should put them at #1, not #2, according to the computer that makes the decisions. But they are wrong becuase LSU isn't one of the two best teams. USC, OU, and UGA (who based on how LSU played today would have definitely won)are much better. I will say that LSU is dangerous in each and every game they play, but the way they have been playing lately doesn't warrant a NCG.yup-
If you think that the Big East is stronger than the Big 10 I'd love to share a smoke with you.Based on Talent I would take the Big 10, but based one the way they played, the Big East played better. That's all. No Smoke, had to give that up.Yup-
I hear you. It's a drag, but kumbaya.Really are you kidding me LSU deserves to be in the big game over UGA...let's think about this. UGA lost it's first SEC game of the season with a freshman O line in September and our only other loss was against Tennessee at Tenn. the first week in October. We have the longest winning streak in the country. LSU lost the last game of the regular season at home. Who cares if it was in three overtimes it was to an unranked Ark. team. and a 10 point loss to Kentucky who has lost 5 of their last seven games. LSU is luck only to have 2 losses this season. The biggest win was the second game of the season...at home. LSU should be happy UGA didnt play them in the championship game because UGA would have destroyed LSU who btw only won by 7 points today. The voters did the right thing last week and they will do the right thing again this week by putting the Dawgs in the second spot...GO DAWGS. OSU v UGA.OSU01 - hahaha!! we all know why you REALLY don't want LSU in the championship. We all remember what happens when slow-SU matches up with elite SEC speed - lSU, GA, FLA - pick any one, the outcome will always be the same - approx. 41-14!!!!!!41-14!!41-14!!41-14!!41-14!!41-14!!41-14!!41-14!!41-14!!41-14!!41-14!!41-14!!41-14!!LSU has as good an argument (or better in some cases) as anyone else to get to the NC game. UGA didn't win the conference and should not get to go. (same as OU in'03)
If we were in a playoff system, UGA might get to prove their argument. But in the BCS, your Conference Championship game is the playoff! Get over it and try again next year. LSU sure will.
I will not bitch (maybe a few "under my breath" mutterings) if LSU doesn't get into the NC game. But I will bitch (loudly) if UGA somehow does. Same for Kansas (though I can't see that happening).
One other comment:
It doesn't matter one bit who is playing better right now. We have a MONTH until the BCS games. No one can say who will be playing better at that time. (Well, OSU may be a little out of sorts :)If we had a playoff system, it would be VERY different.
Geaux Tigers! Good Luck to Everybody else!Kudos Stew on bringing at least some sanity to the media discussion of this mess. In what way is USC any more 'hot' than VaTech? Both lost 5 weeks ago but VaTech's wins are just more impressive. (Mind you Cal lost to Stanford today.) VaTech early loss was a road bashing by #2 instead of a home loss to a nobody = toss up. If Ohio State is a Mortal Lock, then why not Kansas? Because they didn't win their conference? Really? Neither has an impressive win and both lost once. OSU lost to an unranked team at home and Kansas lost to #4 Mizzou in Kansas City. be honest.Why on God's green earth would ANY Top-10 team fear LSU in the title game? All should be licking their chops at such a matchup.1. The national media ruins college football because they don't know conference dynamics and pick favorites based on style points. It was obvious that Oklahoma would beat Kansas or Missouri this year, but the media needed a story.
2. Let the popularity contest commence, because that's all the national title game will be this year. Which media bias will win out.
3. The BSC is like the lottery, it only matters to the one who wins it. The playoff scheme is only in the interest of corporations, not student atheletes.
4. Ohio State and LSU are not that good. I will just enjoy my favorite good teams playing well, for playing well's sake.it doesn't matter about close games, it's the W that countsLSU is overrated. They got so much hype preseason and then have struggled. Opening the season up they seemed solid against Miss State and VT, but they have been playing at the level of their opponents for too long. Tennessee had a hard hitting defense for once this season and Ainge was making passes a 4 year starter should not make, or should at least complete. OSU hasnt had enough quality opponents to know where it stands. Georgia is on a run and shouldnt be punished because the SEC East is stronger than the SEC West. Winning shouldn't hold as much weight as people say. Bad example, but look at all the wildcard teams in pro sports who run the table. Either LSU or Georgia will beat OSU, they showed last year that they dont have the team speed to keep up with SEC football.The SEC is by far the toughest conference in the nation...Any team in the SEC can beat any of the top 10 teams, even arkansas eventhough they are unranked.If LSU of able to come out of that conference it means that they deseve to go to the national championship game. I do agree however that the tigers have not been impressive the past couple of games. I'm not making excuses but injuries have something to do with that. I know one think tho, no team in the NATION will walk over the tigers. I will always come down to the last minutes agains the tigers....In my opinion, LSU isn't that great,(they're good, but not a great team). Too many squeakers,even the championship game. The other teams loss their games late - by foolish mistakes, not LSU winning it by their own power. However, what bugs me the most are the likes of Ohio St. and USC. Their conferences don't have enough teams for 2 div. and then a championship game. Maybe they don't want that-too much to lose for the big guys? At least LSU does. OSU's non-conf sch is crap (Youngstown St., Akron, Washington, Kent St.) tots for these 4 teams= W=18;L=29; SI rank avg = ~123. Even their own conf.,(teams they play)W=55;L=41;SI avg=50. USC is no better. non-conf. W=5;L=27;SI avg=93.teams in their conf they played.W=56;L=52;SI=52! Do away with the pre-season ranks, (too political), play tougher non-conf schedules,(take points away from them for playing little guys),have 12 teams in the conf., (so there are 2 divs and conf champ game). To me, these are some of the pre-reqs that a school must have to be involved with rankings and bowl bids, etc. Oh, finally - get a playoff system going! The other divisions do and have no problems. The big boys can still make their money and finally we would be able to have the closest thing to a true champ and wouldn't have to listen to all of those so-called analysts. Every year it is the same thing - it gets very boring!I do agree to the fact that LSU is not a GREAT team...But guess what there is not a single GREAT team in the nation...Anybody can loose to anybody. If i have to pick the best team in the nation right now, i will not pick USC or Oklahoma but THE GATORS. I know they have 3 loses but u have to admit they are SCARY.Let's go back to LSU. They deserve to be in the national championship game. And with the whole team healthy...THEY WILL HANDLE BUSINESS...Georgia deserves to play OSU for the title. They were ranked above LSU before Mizzou and WVU lost. It's the natural progression. GA goes from #4 to #2. LSU goes to #3. I'm sure the cry baby LSU fans would agree if their punk a#@ team were in GA's spot. No matter who goes to the title game, the eventual chump...I mean, champ will be tainted. Too bad there isn't a playoff, USC would smoke any team that came their way...that includes any SEC team (Auburn and Arkansas can atest to that). Oh, LSU is the best team? They barely got by a team (Tenn) in their conference title game that got waxed by the PAC10's 7th best team (Cal), not to mention allowing 50 points to an unranked Arkansas team. No National champion in the history of college football has allowed 50 points during the regular season to an unranked team. LSU is potentially the most unworthy contestant in a title game in the history of the sport. Unfortunately, the biased SEC media will vote them in. Pitiful.The Trojan dude...Listen up man...
First you guys should not be fooled by the fact that you guys are the best team in a VERY WEAK conference. Unfortunately i feel like that is the case with both USC and OSU. The proof is that both USC and OSU chocked up at the national championship game.
LSU is not the best team. I tink everybody agreed to that.
LSU losing at triple over time against arkansas compare to USC loosing in regulation against Stanford? Lol...No comment.
All i am saying is that a team needs to come out of the SEC and who better than The SEC champion will do that. Actually I do like Georgia too but there is no way tey should be ahead of the SEC champs...
USC is always hightly rated but they don't take care of business when they have to. That for me tells me they are not champions...USC? What is your attraction to USC? This year, they have beaten two teams with a Winning Record! I REPEAT, two (2) teams with winning records...are you kidding me?
And Ohio State, they have played one good team, AND LOST!!
If anyone deserves the National Championship Game it is LSU & Oklahoma. They have actually played & beaten teams that were ranked in the final Top Ten...and other decent teams.
Ohio State, is really milking the system. They do not play a true round 'round robin,' or a Conference Championship Game, and their Conference is a joke! Beat Michigan, and you are in a BCS Bowl. Does it get any easier than that?
If they get to the NC Game, I hope LSU exposes them again! Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney is setting his teams up to gain the easiest path to a BCS Bowl!!"If you're the best you should win decisively."
Please name ONE TEAM this entire year that has won every game decisively. You can't. LSU played as well as any team in the country. Its two losses came in multiple overtimes against teams with superstar players playing the games of their lives (Woodson and McFadden).
If LSU goes to the big show, does anyone doubt they will CRUSH 'the' Ohio State? I don't. But it looks like thats going to happen. Its strange, but not too strange when you consider that the SEC is simply the most balanced conference in the nation (I won't call it the 'best,' as I seem to recall the Big 12 getting just as many BCS bids)How can any of you say it's right for a #7 BCS team that had 2 shots(#1) to get it done and waltz into the national championship game, lose late into the season to an 8-4 razorback team who's 4-4 in the SEC west, and leapfrog (#6)Virginia Tech (#5) Kansas Jayhawks (#4) Georgia to become #2 to play Ohio State. The AP might have them at #5 behind Georgia, but it still doesn't give LSU a Golden ticket to the BCS title game just because they had one more game than Georgia (who was on fire since their last lost to Tennessee). I think the BCS should play the games based on the rankings as they are instead of this mumbo jumbo of placing the preseason predicted BCS champ "TIGERS" back into the limelight when they had several chances to keep their place in the BCS title game.LSU Fans....2 losses in triple overtime = 2 losses. Your coach made a stupid argument and now you guys are carrying it forward. You were expected to dominate every game this season and yet you struggled in every game except the Va Tech game. UGA deserves it just as much as LSU does. The fact is, you won the SEC championship BUT you didn't play us so you can't argue that you are the better team. The National Championship is for the 2 BEST teams. Winning 6 in a row, 5 convicingly qualifies us as the hottest {translation...BEST!} team in the country.
FYI...Tennessee got in b/c of a fluke tiebreaker. I find it hard to believe that LSU fans think they could score 21 points {14 on offense} and beat UGA with that banged up defense they have.To all those who say the SEC is always overated.....If that was the case, then the SEC Champ would be invited virtually every year to the BCS game and would proceed to get blown out.
Instead, the exact opposite happens. The SEC champ has only been invited 4 times, and each time they have won rather easily.thanks cajun man...that says a lot about the SEC, 4 appearances n 4 wins in the NC game...Others are fooled by their record in their weak conferences...LSU is not the best team out their but at this point they definetly should be IN...I TOLD YOU SO!!!
I TOLD YOU SO!!!
I TOLD YOU SO!!!
GEAUX BUCKEYES!!!It's gonna be sweet when THE Ohio State Buckeyes crush whatever team (backs) into the nc game. I kinda hope it's LSU because I think it's obvious that Les didn't go to UM because he didn't like the thought of having to play the Buckeyes every year.I think it is important to say here that TN although they lost, they were the better team, they beat themselves, two unnecessary INTs killed the VOLS. Still I think it would be great to see LSU beat the Hawaii "Overated Rainbows"....Underachievers?!? What?!? That has to be the dumbest comment ever made by a good CFB analyst.
This LSU team has overachieved like few teams in CFB history. My God, do you ever owe this team an apology!
I won't even get into the details. I'm confident that if you investigate them yourself, you'll realize quite clearly how badly you messed up this column.And to all you UGA fans out there still griping about going to the Sugar Bowl, you people are a disgrace to the institution of college football. I really can't emphasize enough how idiotic, backwards, myopic, and trashy you people are. I don't want Georgia in my conference anymore.
After how shamelessly Richt has been acting lately, Georgia is a disgrace to the SEC. I'd rather we took back Georgia Tech, or traded the ACC for Virginia Tech.
At least Virginia Tech fans have enough class to realize that they shouldn't complain about being left out of the BCS NCG this season, despite being 10 times more worthy than Georgia.
If the Bulldogs were so "hot" in their last 6 games, then why did they need a miracle to beat Vanderbilt? Why did they get outgained by Troy? Give me a break.Posted: 11:07 AM by OSUROCKS
It's gonna be sweet when THE Ohio State Buckeyes crush whatever team (backs) into the nc game. I kinda hope it's LSU because I think it's obvious that Les didn't go to UM because he didn't like the thought of having to play the Buckeyes every year.
I really don't think LSU "backed" into this one . . but your wish is granted.
Les Miles? He's LSU.
You only get one wish from this breast-beating blog, though . . . sorry.
Welcome to N'Awlins . . . the SEC (again) . . and football.
Some say that 51 days off is an excuse for poor play. I say, 5 weeks for LSU players to heal is a good thing.
Good Luck.The Book
Stewart Mandel's first book, Bowls, Polls and Tattered Souls: Tackling the Chaos and Controversy that Reign Over College Football, is available now. Click here to order your discounted copy.CommentsAll user comments must be approved by the moderator before being published. Due to time constraints, comments will only be published for the first several hours following a new post.More MandelRecent Posts
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