We're Going to the 'Ship!!

The Samson Report Schedule:
December 5th: Game Recap, Heisman Preview
December 12th: Les Miles Report Card
December 19th: Bowl Season Preview/ Recruiting Update
December 26th: No Report
January 2nd: Ohio St. Preview
January 9th: Ohio St. Recap

Week 14: December 1, 2007
SEC Championship Game
(7) LSU def. (14) Tennessee, 21-14
Atlanta, GA

Game Recap:
Battling injuries on both sides of the ball, LSU was able to overcome the mountain of distractions to beat a very hot Tennessee team. I was impressed with the attitude and intensity shown by the LSU players and I have to think they got a boost from their head coach before the game when he announced his intentions to stay at LSU. Mentally, I think this had a very positive effect on our players.

Offensively, LSU racked up the stats. Unfortunately, those stats didn’t translate into many points on the scoreboard. We need to do a better job of scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Still, the offense had another good game. Most importantly, LSU proved they could win with the backup QB, a feat that has doomed other top teams this season. Perrilloux showed signs of brilliance all game. Jacob Hester punished the Tennessee defensive backfield for 120 yards on 23 carries, putting Hester over the 1,000 yard mark for the season. The last LSU back to accomplish this was Justin Vincent in 2003. I have been impressed with the consistency of the offensive unit throughout the season.

Defensively, I thought we were much improved over last week. We saw a lot more blitzing and pressure put on the QB. One thing that I’m still disappointed in is LSU’s inability to check out of defensive plays when the offense makes adjustments. It seems that Tennessee was able to read the LSU defense and check into a different play without any changes to the defensive look. LSU came up with a lot of big stops and big plays; None bigger than Zenon’s interception for a touchdown to give LSU the lead and the win. The Beckwith interception to kill Tennessee’s last drive was also a very big play. I’m glad Pellini corrected some issues and had his team prepared for the Vols.

Rushing: LSU-212, UT-94
Passing: LSU-252, UT-249
Total: LSU-464, UT-343

Game Ball:
Offense:
Ryan Perriloux had a great game going 20 of 30 for 243 yards including 1 td pass and 1 2-point conversion. His rocket arm coupled with his snap delivery makes him one hell of a passer. Hopefully, he’ll be a part of the game plan against Ohio St.

Defense:
Jonathan Zenon gets the game ball for his game winning pick-six in the fourth quarter.

Ohhh What a Night!!!
What an amazing, incredible, outstanding, unbelievable, shocking day. December 1st 2007 was one of the best days in the history of LSU football.

First, LSU learns that its head coach has spurned the great University of Michigan to remain coach at LSU. The message was received loud and clear that LSU is one of the top football schools in the country. We are a “now” program and Michigan is a “then” program. Weather or not you like Les Miles, you gotta love the way this portrays LSU nationally. Les chose LSU over his dream job at his alma mater. I was tired of hearing that Michigan was the pinnacle of the college football world. Michigan fans can be very arrogant about their program. For what??? What have you done lately???

Later that day, LSU beats Tennessee for the SEC Championship and a trip to the Sugar Bowl. Also it kept LSU’s longshot hopes alive to play for a national title.

Then, it really starts to get crazy. Stars move into position and the top 2 teams in the country lose, including a 28 point favorite. At this point, I knew we’d be in the big dance. It was a great day to be a Tiger.

How it went down:
Ok, here’s the timeline of events that led to the spirited press conference 2 hours before kickoff. This is not fact, this is just my opinion.

Tuesday 11/27:
Les Miles still does not have an offer from LSU to extend his contract and/or give him a raise. Therefore, he authorized his agent, George Bass, to contact Michigan and express his interest in the job. He urges his agent to use a middle man, which is often done for discretion, and not deal directly with Michigan officials. General contract terms may have been discussed, but not agreed upon. Miles asks them to wait until after the SEC Championship game to make any moves.

Wednesday 11/28:
Michigan “officially” requests permission to speak with Miles. Skip Bertman, as expected, does not grant them permission until after the SEC Championship Game. Once this hits the media, Les Miles gets pissed off that Michigan made this public 3 days before the SEC Championship game. He feels slighted that his wishes were not respected.

Thursday 11/29:
The job is offered to Miles through George Bass. The contract terms are not nearly what Miles expected, and again he feels slighted. (Reports say that Michigan went cheap because they thought Miles was a “Michigan Man” and would be happy with less money).

Friday 11/30:
Miles sits down with LSU officials and they agree on a new contract. Remember, at this time, LSU’s chances of playing for a national title are slim to none. Therefore, Miles is not expecting the automatic raise that is built into his contract if he reaches and wins the national title. His new contract is for more money, but just how much more is dependent on the outcome of the SEC Championship Game. Miles and LSU agree that a press conference will be held before the game to announce that he will remain at LSU. Meanwhile, Michigan is still under the assumption that LSU has not made Miles a new offer.

Saturday 12/1:
9 am – Miles meets with his team at breakfast and tells them that he’ll be their coach next season. This is a closed breakfast with only LSU players and coaches.

10:00 am – Kirk Herbstriet reports that the Miles to Michigan deal is done. I think Kirk’s sources were legit, but nobody at Michigan knew that Miles’ was re-negotiating with LSU. When Miles hears the report, which went out to the entire college football world, he feels slighted for the 3rd time. This is the last straw, and he gets angry.

11:00 am – A seemingly impromptu press conference is organized by LSU officials to announce that Miles is staying at LSU. The cat is now out of the bag. The LSU pre-game radio show announces the amazing news.

1 pm: Miles addressed the nation in a very short and blunt press conference. His anger is evident and directed at ESPN and Kirk Herbstreit.

Bo Pellini:
As you know, Bo Pellini is the new coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. However, he will also stay on as LSU’s defensive coordinator for the NC game. I haven’t heard many names as to who will replace Pellini but John Tenuda may be interested if he doesn’t get the head coaching job at Georgia Tech.

Week 14 Games of the Week:
Pitt def. (2) West Virginia, 13-9
(9) Oklahoma def. (1) Missouri, 38-17
(6) Virginia Tech def. (12) Boston College, 30-16
(8) Southern Cal def. UCLA, 24-7

FINAL BCS STANDINGS:
Well, here it is folks. The only poll that matters.

1. Ohio St.
2. LSU
3. Virginia Tech
4. Oklahoma
5. Georgia

Heisman Talk:
This Saturday is the Heisman Trophy Award Presentation. I think it’s on ESPN at 7pm. This award is by far the most distinguished award in college football. It goes to the most outstanding college football player. The selection process is extremely flawed, but it’s still fun to watch. The players in the running are Tim Tebow (Florida QB), Chase Daniel (Missouri QB), Darren McFadden (Arkansas RB), Pat White (West Virginia QB), Colt Brennan (Hawaii QB), Dennis Dickson (Oregon QB).

The award is Tebow’s to lose. Although he’s only a sophomore, I think he gets the hardware. For the second straight year, I believe Darren McFadden will come in second place in the voting. Chase Daniel and Colt Brennan will round out the top 4.

Speaking of awards…
Glenn Dorsey picked up a national award earlier this week when he was named the Bronko Nagurski award winner which goes to the nation’s most outstanding defensive player. He won that award over Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis. Dorsey is also a finalist for the Lombardi Award, the Lott Trophy, the Outland Award, and the Bednarik Award. Craig Steltz is a finalist for the Thorpe Award.

All SEC Tigers:
LSU landed 7 players on the 2007 All-SEC first team. That is second in school history behind the 1988 team that had 8 first team players. The 10 total players selected set a school record. Congrats!!

1st Team:
Ali Highsmith (unanimous)
Glenn Dorsey (unanimous)(SEC Defensive Player of the Year)
Craig Steltz (unanimous)
Chevis Jackson
Herman Johnson
Colt David
Patrick Fisher

2nd Team:
Ciron Black
Jacob Hester
Darry Beckwith

Bowl Pick’em Contest:
I have picked out 10 of the most intriguing bowl games this season. I want you to pick who you think will win each game and e-mail me @ slspeer@cox.net. Or you can make your pics in the comments section. I won’t post your comment but I’ll record your pics. Don’t forget to leave your name. All picks must be in to me by Tuesday December 18th because I will be previewing each bowl game soon after. At this time, the only thing you will win is bragging rights. Here are the games I picked out:

Dec. 27th: Holiday Bowl – Arizona St. vs. Texas
Dec. 31st: Music City Bowl – Florida St. vs. Kentucky
Dec. 31st: Chick-fil-A Bowl – Clemson vs. Auburn
Jan 1st: Outback Bowl - Wisconsin vs. Tennessee
Jan 1st: Cotton Bowl – Missouri vs. Arkansas
Jan 1st: Capital One Bowl - Michigan vs. Florida
Jan 1st: Rose Bowl - USC vs. Illinois
Jan 1st: Sugar Bowl - Hawaii vs. Georgia
Jan 2nd: Fiesta Bowl - West Virginia vs. Oklahoma
Jan. 3rd: Orange Bowl - Kansas vs. Virginia Tech

HAVE A GRRRRRREEEEAAAATTT DAY!!!