Going Hogging!

Because of the short week, this report will cover the previous game against Ole Miss and the upcoming game against Arkansas.





Week 12: (1) LSU def. Ole Miss, 41-24

Game Recap:
LSU allowed a season high 466 yards to the Ole Miss offense which ranks 97th in the country offensively. That’s not too good. The rebels actually out gained the Tigers, something that hasn’t happened all season. The last time that has happened was last year against …. Arkansas. We won that game too. Coincidentally, Trindon Holliday had a kick-off return in both of those games.
Now back to Ole Miss. LSU once again had a special teams break down allowing a returned punt for a touchdown. The offense was effective and the play calling was appropriate.
As I predicted, LSU didn’t have a good game but it wasn’t a disaster either. Many LSU fans get frustrated about the way LSU is playing. Just remember that LSU is winning. We don’t need style points to get to the National Championship, we need W’s. LSU has been prone to playing down to the opponents’ level of competition. Unfortunately, our opponents have been giving us their best games of the season. I think that’s the reason we’ve haven’t covered the spread to many times this season.

Week 13: Friday November 23, 2007
(1) LSU vs. Arkansas
Death Valley, Baton Rouge
CBS 1:30

Point Spread:
LSU -12.5

Know thy Foe:
Head Coach: Houston Nutt

Houston Nutt is gone after this season. The Arkansas program has been in disarray for almost an entire year. If it weren’t for Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, this Razorback team would be horrendous. This will probably be Nutt’s last game as the Arkansas coach. And no, he will not be a candidate to replace Miles if he leaves.

Week 1: Defeated Troy, 46-26
Week 2: OFF
Week 3: Lost to Alabama, 41-38
Week 4: Lost to Kentucky, 42-29
Week 5: Defeated North Texas, 66-7
Week 6: Defeated Chattanooga, 34-16
Week 7: Lost to Auburn, 9-7
Week 8: Defeated Ole Miss, 44-8
Week 9: Defeated Florida Inter., 58-10
Week 10: Defeated South Carolina, 48-36
Week 11: Lost to Tennessee, 34-13
Week 12: Defeated Mississippi St., 45-31

LSU Offense vs. Arkansas Defense:
Surprisingly, the LSU offense has been the most consistent part of the team lately. They have averaged 450 yards per game so far this season. Arkansas’ defense is giving up over 350 yards per game. LSU will have to play good in the red zone because this Arkansas team is very stingy with the points. They held Auburn, Ole Miss, and Tennessee to less than 30 points combined.

LSU Defense vs. Arkansas Offense:
Obviously LSU will key on Darren McFadden. They won’t stop him, but they should be able to slow him down. Look for Houston Nutt to pull out all the trick plays including letting McFadden pull up and throw the ball over the top. The safeties must not let anyone get behind them at any time. The LSU linebackers must have a good day. I don’t think Luke Sanders will play very much because I think we need the speed of our nickel and dime packages to match up with Arkansas’ running game. I don’t think Arkansas will throw the ball with any consistency against LSU. Arkansas averages 452 yards per game so they are a high powered offense. LSU allows only 255 yards per game. Let’s split the difference and say they get 350 yards against LSU.

Special Teams:
Arkansas has a few weapons that can change the game. LSU must get better here.

Game Prediction:
Arkansas’ open date was the second week of the season. That means they’ve played 10 straight games and they could be worn down. It was a short week of preparation. Plus, it was filled with outside distractions for LSU. Still, the LSU team knows what’s at stake. They have too many seniors on that team. They’ll be ready. They’ll be focused and prepared. It may not be pretty, but LSU will win this game.
I’ll take LSU 44-31.

Injury Report:
There are a lot of bumps and bruises, especially on defense. Dorsey sat out the end of the Ole Miss game to a leg and back injury, but he should play most of the Arkansas game. Darry Beckwith probably won’t play while still recovering from the knee scope. Trindon Holliday twisted his ankle but I think he’ll be back. Curtis Taylor also limped off the field in Oxford but he’s ok as well.

Senior Day:
Since Friday will be Senior Day, check out some of the accomplishments of this senior class:
Most wins in school history (54)
Most SEC wins (32)
Most seasons with at least 10 wins (4)
Most weeks as a ranked team (80)
Most wins over top 25 teams (19)
Most wins over top 10 teams (9)

Here is the Senior Class:
Will Arnold
Donnie Chaucer
Mit Cole
Andrew Decker
Glenn Dorsey
Early Doucet
Patrick Fisher
Matt Flynn
Sean Gaudet
Jacob Hester
Ali Highsmith
Chevis Jackson
Shawn Jordan
Cole Louviere
Josh McManus
Jacob O’Hair
Kirston Pittman
Luke Sanders
Robert Smith
Craig Steltz
Carnell Stewart
Jimmy Welker
Anthony Zehyoue
Jonathan Zenon
Keith Zinger

Thanks Fellas!!!

Week 13 (Rivalry Week) Games of the Week: (Predicted Winners in CAPS)
Ole Miss @ MISSISSIPPI ST.
(2) Kansas vs. (4) MISSOURI (neutral field)
(22) CLEMSON @ South Carolina
(18) TENNESSEE @ Kentucky
Alabama @ AUBURN
(9) GEORGIA @ Georgia Tech
Florida St. @ (12) FLORIDA
Oklahoma St. @ (10) OKLAHOMA

Lock of the Week:
(8) Virginia Tech (-3.5) @ (16) Virginia

Upset Special:
(6) Arizona St. (+3.5) over (11) Southern Cal (This game is on Thursday, don’t miss it)

Looking ahead:
LSU will be playing in the SEC championship next Saturday. Their opponent from the East has not yet been decided. If Tennessee can beat Kentucky this week, they’re in. If they lose to Kentucky, we will play Georgia for the 3rd straight time. I, along with most people, would much rather play Tennessee since Georgia is playing some really good football right now. They’re dangerous. Tennessee is actually a 3 point underdog to Kentucky since the game is in Lexington. Geaux Vols!


What if we lose???
Assuming we beat Arkansas, LSU will be heading into the SEC Championship game ranked #1 with an 11-1 record. If we lose the SEC championship game, chances are very strong that we end up filling an at-large spot in one of the BCS bowl games. It won’t be the Rose Bowl. It won’t be the Sugar Bowl. That leaves the Fiesta Bowl and the Orange Bowl. So, would you rather go to Tempe Arizona or Miami Florida???

Dirty Sexy Money:
Les Miles has a lot of motivation to win a national championship for LSU. Like Saban, Miles has terms in his contract that dramatically increase his base salary if he wins the title. Specifically, LSU will be contractually obligated to pay Miles around 3.5 million dollars per year for the next 5 years.

Also, Miles is bound to a $1,250,000 buyout if he were to leave LSU for Meeeeechigan. The Wolverines could pay that without second thought.

March for Miles:
Last night was the “March for Miles” which consisted of about 50 or 60 LSU fans. They walked from the stadium to Walk-Ons in support of Les Miles. It started as an internet movement but gained some credibility when it made it to the Advocate and the local news. Kinda funny.

More support…
This Friday has been deemed “Fear the Hat Friday”. If you want to join the growing support for Miles, wear your biggest white LSU hat on Friday.

Coaching Change?
The rumors are really flying now. We knew this day would come and it is here. I’ll address this situation in detail in my next report. I’ll tell you what I think will happen and I’ll try to give you a few coaching possibilities if we need to replace Miles.