2011 College Football

[01101010]

And now all we will hear about is how Saban blew it.  Miles had a good game plan and is a much better coach than people give him credit for.

Hey I am not saying it is full on Saban's folly here. But when both your field goal kickers are struggling, missing repeatedly, I would expect some sorta adjustment and re-evaluation of field position.

That game was as advertised, an endurance fight between heavyweights that went the full 12 rounds. Edge went to LSU's special teams, esp Wing'er.

[ghost]

Saban was fairly conservative, I thought.  He knew his defense would be good-  and it was!  I can't fault him for going for the points.  The only othe option was to punt, and if I had the defensive squad Saban has I would probably have gone for the FGs too.

[Margalis]

If you trust your defense why not punt and try to start winning on field position, so that you can eventually score or hit an FG?

[ghost]

If you trust your defense why not punt and try to start winning on field position, so that you can eventually score or hit an FG?

It only would have taken one field goal.  I don't see a problem with what he did.  Those field goals were perfectly hittable and if you can stop the opposing team from the 40 or inside, why worry?  It was a tough game against a very good opponent.  Taking a chance wasn't a terrible idea.

And really, only one of the FGs was risky.  The rest were very much within the range of a high level college kicker, and even the risky one was hittable.

[01101010]

If this game proved anything, it is that the college game and audience really hates defensive games. I partly blame the BCS since scoring is so highly tide to rankings. Good example is the PSU/WIS divergence in the Big Ten or even the difference in PSU and ARK (yeah, I am reaching... and?). Win with huge numbers and the world loves you, win with a grinding defense and low scoring affair and no one gives a shit. This was a great game defensive-wise but gets de-emphasized because no TDs were scored. All the talking heads keep throwing this around and about how many points OKSt or Stanford can put up without even a hint that LSU beat both OR and WVU outside of Tiger Stadium with defense. Likewise Bama has been a shut down team to everyone they have played. I'd like to see a rematch even if it means a 3-0 game as long as it's LSU with the 3 

[Paelos]

No, the crowd loves defense. They just don't like it when the offense can't capitalize on it.

Let's be fair, punts and missed FGs aren't exciting football.

[01101010]

No, the crowd loves defense. They just don't like it when the offense can't capitalize on it.

Let's be fair, punts and missed FGs aren't exciting football.

Well, I can somewhat agree... however Wing's 73y punt had me yelling at the screen. And those ducks that Bama was kicking all over the place did as well. For once, the kicking game was the feature which, now that I am thinking about it, is probably why you are dead on. Special teams = big hits and huge run backs... the kickers usually get lost in the shuffle unless they either get smoked on the return or put a monster hit to the returner.

One of the comments on ESPN said it best... this was a retro game, a chess match from the 1950's and I can not disagree nor be unhappy it happened between two storied college football programs.

[Paelos]

Right, but let's review.

LSU had to punt 6 times. They made 3 FGs. They threw 2 picks that Alabama only got 3 points off of.

Bama had to punt twice. They missed 4 FGs. They made 2 FGs. They threw 2 picks that LSU only got 3 points off of.


The key to the game was that Alabama couldn't kick or capitalize. Plain and simple. They took poorly timed penalties and sacks on offense that they had NO business taking and it cost them the game. LSU's defense was great, but really I think it came down to the fact that Alabama was completely inept when it had opportunities mentally and otherwise.

I mean how often do you see a game where the victor has less than 100 yards passing and WIN? It just wasn't pretty in my view, but it was a win. It's one of those games where I think LSU was really lucky they played a team with no kicker. That being said, UGA is the likely opponent in the Championship, and we have no kicker either, so I think you'll be fine.

[01101010]

Right, but let's review.

LSU had to punt 6 times. They made 3 FGs. They threw 2 picks that Alabama only got 3 points off of.

Bama had to punt twice. They missed 4 FGs. They made 2 FGs. They threw 2 picks that LSU only got 3 points off of.


The key to the game was that Alabama couldn't kick or capitalize. Plain and simple. They took poorly timed penalties and sacks on offense that they had NO business taking and it cost them the game. LSU's defense was great, but really I think it came down to the fact that Alabama was completely inept when it had opportunities mentally and otherwise.

I mean how often do you see a game where the victor has less than 100 yards passing and WIN? It just wasn't pretty in my view, but it was a win. It's one of those games where I think LSU was really lucky they played a team with no kicker. That being said, UGA is the likely opponent in the Championship, and we have no kicker either, so I think you'll be fine.

LSU at least twice last year... Jefferson was full time QBing at the time and hurt me on several occasions. Game 1. Game 2 (just a hair over 100+). Game 3. Game 4. Game 5 (again, just a hair over 100+)

edit: links to show the horror...

[Paelos]

I should have clarified. Against actual opponents. I think WVU is only one on that list.

[01101010]

I should have clarified. Against actual opponents. I think WVU is only one on that list.

Well that cuts both ways. Playing a cup cake should be when you should be able to throw for more than 200+. But now we are just being nitpicky.

[Paelos]

I should have clarified. Against actual opponents. I think WVU is only one on that list.

Well that cuts both ways. Playing a cup cake should be when you should be able to throw for more than 200+. But now we are just being nitpicky.

It's an internet sports board. If we're not being nitpicky we should all just go home. 

But yes, your point is good. I can just as easily say you don't need to throw against teams that can't stop a run, though.

[ghost]

And f13 at that...

[Outlawedprod]

I thought it was a joke when someone told me the name of this book.  The cover...
http://www.amazon.com/Touched-Jerry-Sandusky-Story/dp/1582613575/

[Abagadro]

One of my favorite plays from the Utes' victory over AU this past weekend. A 190 pound RB annihilating a 260 pound DE on a blitz pick up.

[Ingmar]

That's UA, Pac-12 noob! 

[Abagadro]

Doh!

[Outlawedprod]

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Tennessee-grabs-last-second-kicker-off-his-frat-
"I told the coaches, 'Hey — an intoxicated Brodus is better than nobody. Get him. Just get him here. Give him a Breathalyzer.' Fortunately he didn't do anything bad."

[Paelos]

This, ladies and gentlemen, should be exhibit A in exactly how far the Tennessee program has fallen when they have to pull a kicker in from a fraternity party to play against Middle Tennessee.

Better that than pulling in their QB.

[sigil]

This is why You need the SEC to have a full slate  of men's soccer teams. And Rugby . 

[Abagadro]

The Utes have a stud rugby player they are trying to turn into a running back. He apparently is having a hard time learning blocking schemes and such so has been limited to special teams play so far.

[Ingmar]

If Rugby success translated to football success, Cal would win the national championship every year.

[Tannhauser]

This, ladies and gentlemen, should be exhibit A in exactly how far the Tennessee program has fallen when they have to pull a kicker in from a fraternity party to play against Middle Tennessee.

Better that than pulling in their QB.

So how many kickers does UGA keep around?  It's a funny/unique story and you're inflating it to be an entire fallen program.  Our program is rebuilding from the Lane Kiffin/Thug University 'era' and I'm very happy with that.  I can follow UT with pride again.

Also, don't get cocky kid, LSU is coming. 

[Paelos]

That's fine. It's not some shot at your program that you are where you are. You got screwed and have to start over.

That being said, I think it's realistically possible that Tennessee won't be in the running as a threat to the SEC East for another 2 years minimum. Maximum probably 5 years.

And to answer your question, UGA keeps four kickers and four punters on the roster, and the punters can place kick in a pinch.

[SnakeCharmer]

Thing is, you don't have 4 kickers and 4 punters on the active roster on game day.  You probably have 2 each per game in uniform.  You can only dress so many kids total.  The kid is/was technically already on the team, but wasn't supposed to dress that day.

[Ingmar]

I did find it a bit odd that he wasn't at the stadium in street clothes, but maybe that's normal.

[Paelos]

Thing is, you don't have 4 kickers and 4 punters on the active roster on game day.  You probably have 2 each per game in uniform.  You can only dress so many kids total.  The kid is/was technically already on the team, but wasn't supposed to dress that day.

Pretty sure the article said he wasn't even on the depth chart, and that he'd never worked out with any of the guys on the team. I mean he was just a walk-on practice scrub.

Even though he's considered on the roster, I checked, and Tennessee only carries a total of 4 combo punters and PKs. Georgia has twice that.

EDIT - Georgia and Florida carry 8, SC carries 6, and Kentucky carries 2 (lulz)

[ghost]

Didn't somebody around here say that tOSU's issues weren't due to a failure to monitor?   

[ghost]

Well, fairly boring football weekend so far.  I'm really hoping that TCU will beat Boise State, that way the arguments can get thrown out the window.  

Also, here's hoping for an Oregon trouncing of Stanford.  I hate those fuckers.

Edit:  YESSSS.   

[Chimpy]

Wooo Illinois is making me happy keeping the streak alive!

[ghost]

Which streak would that be? 

[Chimpy]

Which streak would that be?  

The lose every game of the season after opening 6-0 streak!

(I fucking hate Zook and want his overpaid ass out of my town)

Also, Pac-12 officials are fucking TERRIBLE at spotting the ball. They gave that Stanford receiver like 3 extra yards on that play.

[Paelos]

Hey Snake? HOW ABOUT THOSE DAWGS! 

[ghost]

Georgia appears to be playing well enough to give the West winner a game.  Too bad they're going to lose to Kentucky again.   

[01101010]

Well, fairly boring football weekend so far.  I'm really hoping that TCU will beat Boise State, that way the arguments can get thrown out the window.  

Also, here's hoping for an Oregon trouncing of Stanford.  I hate those fuckers.

Edit:  YESSSS.   

Yes twice.