LSU Tigers set for McNeese

The LSU Tigers, No. 9 in the polls, are licking their chops at their first true cupcake of the season: McNeese State.



The Tigers have won every game this season in a different fashion: A last-second defensive stand, winning drives, clock mismanagement, you name it.
But they have won.
It has not been pretty, but LSU -- in the five years that coach Les Miles has been there -- has not been terribly efficient with the football.
JaMarcus Russell routinely left 10 to 21 points out on the field, and they still only lost two games in his final two years.
But things have changed. A little.
LSU is in prime position to make a serious championship run, if they can get by the AAA powers: Auburn, Alabama and finally, Arkansas.
Now, with Auburn on the horizon, the Tigers can sharpen up some things against McNeese (and even expand their offensive package) and get ready to go up to Alabama.

LSU edges Florida, 33-29

"Jarrett Lee! Jarrett Lee! Jarrett Lee!"

After weeks of hearing boos from the LSU faithful -- despite an undefeated record --- the Fighting Tigers on Saturday heard cheers seconds after a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the No. 14 Florida Gators.

The two-quarterback system of Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson operated wonderfully and efficiently, giving the Gator defense fits.

LSU stumbled at times, most notably Jefferson's interception in the first quarter that allowed Florida to score their first touchdown. Again in the second half, Patrick Peterson, muffed a kickoff.

But LSU overcame it. More importantly, coach Les Miles got a huge monkey off his back after last week's debacle (still a win) against Tennessee. It was the first time he actually outcoached somebody too. 
Urban Meyer literally couldn't guess right against the Tigers as Miles hit him with Lee for a spell then Jordan for a span.
In the process, LSU may have discovered lightning in a bottle for their until-now anemic offense.

And that's saying something.

LSU vs. Florida: A Tale of Two Quarterbacks

Having resigned itself to a two-quarterback system from here on out, the 5-0 LSU Tigers are hoping one of them -- near-sighted Jarrett Lee or the numb-armed Jordan Jefferson -- can emerge with a hot game to win in Gainesville.

LSU with nary a loss and five wins over BSC opponents (which no other team in the country can say) can expect to crack the top 10 with a win.

If Florida comes out victorious, look for the Gators to lick their chops at another chance to take down Alabama in the SEC Championship Game and a shot at a national title.
LSU coach Les Miles has been lampooned for the whole seven days since his team squeezed by an undermanned and ultimately unprepared Tennessee team. But Miles, bumbler as he is, is not a wobbler.
Gators coach Urban Meyer, after losing to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game last year, quit then changed his mind. 
And you wonder why the teams play so wishy-washy?
Lord knows what he'll do at season's end.
At any point, someone has to win this game. And a quarterback has to find his way.
LSU 21-FLA 20

LUCKY STRIPES: How LSU beat Tennessee, 16- 14 (video)

A two-headed quarterback: Say what you want about Jarrett Lee, and this blog has said plenty, but he can  actually move the ball. A sweet 47-yard bomb in the fourth quarter got LSU near the goal line with a chance to take the lead before the last-second theatrics. Jordan Jefferson's mobility, really his 89-yard juant on the first play from scrimmage, had to make the Vols at least think twice about him every time he snapped the ball. The only thing is, LSU, as well, had to think twice about it everytime he had the ball.

LSU's front four: Drake Nevis and the boys up front absolutely carried the Bayou Bengals Saturday evening. If not for a goal line stand, a turnover on downs and numerous blitzes on third down, Tennessee quarterback Matt Simms carves the secondary up like a turkey. LSU's line held its own going largely without starting defensive end Sam Montgomery who suffered a chop block early in the 1st quarter. Also, starting end Ken Adams was out. So, given that LSU's D-line was at 50%, they did excellent.

Referees: Let's be honest. Jordan Jefferson and a befuddled coaching staff all had to stare in horror as the final seconds clicked off the clock on Saturday. The game was over, and Tennessee players joyously celebrated. But a referee -- one referee-- the one that was supposed to make sure each team had only 11 men on the field, courageously, miraculously said the unsayable "Hold up. This game aint over." As a result, I'd like to buy the man a drink, if somebody could get me his name. Matter fact, I've got him -- and his immediate family -- at Chimes next time he's down that way, if he wants. LSU lucked out. Plain and simple.

LUCKY STRIPES

LSU BEATS Tennessee, 16 -14 IN WACKIEST GAME EVER

Some how some way, LSU beat the Vols in the craziest game in Tiger Stadium history.
Les Miles did all he could to give the game to the Vols, but, as fate would have it, Tennessee's coach is as bottom-tier as LSU's. Who would have thunk it?
Thirteen players on the field on the last play? And what referee would have even called that?
Think about it: The game is done, over. And a zebra stops the hoopla to deliver the sweetest news to Tiger fans since boiled shrimp went for half price?
Seriously, the Tennessee Volunteers deserved to win this game: Let me say that again, and louder.
THE VOLUNTEERS DESERVED TO WIN THIS GAME.
LSU didn't. Let's be honest.
The LSU Tigers manhandled the Tennessee Tigers through three composite quarters but still were losing 14-10 with 10 minutes to go in the game.
Jordan Jefferson continued his three-game slump and even made worse decisions than the previous three games, if that's possible.
Backup quarterback Jarrett Lee may have taken the starting spot of Jefferson in the process, sparking LSU to a first down inside the 10 midway through the fourth quarter.
But he then threw LSU's final interception.
Tennessee quarterback Matt Simms struggled mightily against a steady barrage of blitzes by the LSU defense, but he finally settled down and started to pick the secondary apart.
After being down 7-0, the Vols scored the next 14 points, and even missed a field goal.
LSU's defense outplayed itself, but was simply on the field too long.
After the game, Miles shouldn't thank his coaching staff, or even his players. He should thank whatever voodoo priestess through the dust his way.

Will LSU be able to run on Mississippi State?

Last year in Starkville, LSU suffered mightily trying to ground up yards on the ground. LSU only managed 31 yards on 30 attempts, and Russell Shepard had 26 yards himself.

5 reasons LSU barely beat Miss. State last year

Jordan Jefferson had one of his best games throwing the long ball that day, hooking up with senior receiver Brandon Lafell for two touchdowns.
But it was the defense that saved the Tigers, ending the game with a goal line stand in the closing seconds.
This year, State, with a stout defensive line, is primed to turn the tables on the Tigers.
Will this be the game Jarrett Lee plays significantly? The offense has stalled under Jefferson, with the offensive coordinator effectively playing keep away last week at Vandy (one pass play after the first possession in the second half).
One thing is certain: The Tigers will need points.
"Defensively, they give up about 12 points a game and are a team that is really sticky against the run, " Miles said in an interview earlier this week.

Jefferson or Lee: Who's the Better LSU QB?

Aaaah, you know the debate had to start in earnest once the season began to take shape: LSU's sophomore signal caller, Jordan Jefferson has shown signs of confusion and downright incoherence during the game. Quite honestly, he was shut down last game (against Georgia). And we simply can't have that this weekend against the No. 1-ranked team in the nation, Florida.
Would the Tigers be better off starting Jarrett Lee? Lee, who definitely had a myopic condition when looking in the middle of the field, has been reduced to a bench-rider this year. But should he? Yeah, he know about the 16 TDs and 14 INTs, but dude beat Auburn. That's GOT to count for something, right?
I for one kind of miss Lee, who exhibited leadership and intangibles in the face of considerable adversity and criticism.
Under center last year Lee showed an ability to actually win with his arms and the gusto to take risks. The problem was many of them were unnecessary risks.
Jordan, confused as he looks at times, has simply not given a game away. Yet. When he does then he can be vilified accordingly, but until then, let's let this thing play out. Literally.

LSU comes back from 31-3 deficit vs. Troy

What a stinker, wha - wow. We'll take it.
That's what Saturday night in Tiger Stadium felt like after a 40-31 LSU win over Troy.
“That certainly was not the recipe for victory we prescribed, but victory is sweet, and I promise you our football team is enjoying it at this moment,” LSU coach Les Miles said after LSU had completed the biggest comeback in school history, coming back from a 31-3 deficit in the third quarter.
Quarterback Jarrett Lee had his seventh interception returned for a touchdown in the second quarter to make it 24-3 and send a swarm of LSU fans to the exits.
“I’ve never been part of a comeback that big. That shows you a lot about our team. We played hard and fought back. Not one time in our minds did we think we were going to lose this game.” Lee completed 11-of-14 passes in the fourth quarter for 138 yards and a touchdown.
The comeback started at halftime. “We go into halftime and we tell that defense that you have to come out and play like you finished the first half, and in fact, you’re our chance to win this game,” Miles said. “You guys play like that for the remainder of this game while we get it fixed on offense.”
Troy's coach, well on his way throughout the 3rd quarter to his biggest win at the school and the program's biggest, said momentum turned suddenly.
“We weren’t able to close the book on it and get the last nail in there,” Troy coach Larry Blakeney said. “(LSU) got some things done and some big plays in the passing game really hurt us more than anything as far as getting momentum back.