I liked our effort in this game,but it was obvious that when LSU turned it on, when they needed to respond, we were greatly out manned.
I think I have mentioned this being the case, but nobody seems to want to accept it. Now that you've seen it first hand maybe?
Jake Holland sucks. Any and every barb that's been thrown his way is on target and deserved. That said, last night, for most of the game when LSU needed yards, they ran right between the tackles from the I formation. Old fashioned, power football. Blackledge called it the first time they needed it ("they like to run to the left") and they did. They got huge chunks of yards, and TDs. That mammoth FB LSU had had nothing but clear sailing through the line of scrimmage to draw a bead on Jake, and he flattened him routinely. The FB could have run for 150 yard with no lead blocker. Why? Our DL parting like the red sea. We're woefully undermanned on D. Therezie is about the only thing like a player we have there. Our DBs are playing much better technique wise, but still get beat badly. In an effort to slow this down we crammed every gap on run downs, and still they gained positive yards.
I saw this in the spring, and accepted it. I said it here. Some refuse to believe it, while others think "coach em up" or "imaginative 3rd down play calling" will make it all better. It won't. When we step on the field vs bammer, and Ugay, we'll be just as outmanned.
Bright side? Wench said it. We see great improvement in the things coaching can fix: effort, technique, team culture, conditioning. Ark. and UT suck.
Ole Miss isn't that much more talented, if at all, but they're not that much more lacking in talent either (like they should be compared to Auburn) and they have a year jump on us with their new coach/systems, plus confidence. We might actually eek out 8 wins (9 with a bowl win) IF we don't have a game where we don't show up at all. But, with our D, Ole Miss could score early and often. Not sure we'll feel any better, and may feel worse after next Sat.
You don't have to claim a moral victory to see things to build on with this team. I think the future is bright for Gus and company, but the future isn't now.