November 06, 2011
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - To say that I am pleased to report what I am about to report would be the understatement of the century. So, without further adieu, LSU has defeated Alabama in a game dubbed by analysts and commentators as the "Game of the Century.
The Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 9-6 in overtime in Tuscaloosa in a game in which the defenses dominated from start-to-finish, and in which neither team scored a touchdown.
The Tigers came close on Morris Claiborne's interception return in the third quarter. Alabama nearly got in the end zone in the fourth quarter on a pass from Marquis Maze that was picked off by LSU safety Eric Reid at the LSU one yard line. Reid literally ripped the ball away from the Bama receiver in the air and came down with it without the ball ever hitting the ground. The receiver was wide open on the play until Reid seemingly came out of nowhere to cut off the route at the last second, timing his jump perfectly and fighting for the ball until he had clear and indisputable possession.
Both teams' defenses dominated the game, and LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee threw twice as many interceptions as he had all season leading up to the game. Luckily for the Tigers, embattled backup QB Jordan Jefferson played well enough to get his team the victory.
LSU held Alabama star running back and leading Heisman Trophy candidate Trent Richardson to 89 yards on the ground on 23 carries. Richardson also led the Tide in receiving with 80 yards on five catches.
The difference in the game turned out to be special teams, with LSU getting great performances from punter Brad Wing, who punted six times, pinning the Tide inside its own 20 on four of them, including a 73 yard punt he booted from inside the LSU 10. The ball sailed over receiver Marquis Maze's head, rolling another 20 yards before finally being downed at the 18. Alabama coach Nick Saban was clearly frustrated with that play in the post-game press conference, offering few words while holding nothing back in terms of his body language and tone.
LSU junior kicker Drew Alleman connected on all three of his field goal attempts, which accounted for all nine of his team's points.
Alabama kickers made only two of six field goal attempts, including one from over 50 yards which was partially blocked. In fairness to the Crimson Tide's kickers (two of whom played with each missing at least one field goal), with all four misses coming from at least 45 yards out, two of which were 50-plus yard attempts.
As even as the two teams are, the biggest difference between the two may ultimately be the coaches. LSU's coach is a slightly better coach and strategist than his rival from Tuscaloosa.
LSU defeats Alabama 9-6. Geaux Tigers!
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Bad News for LSU: Thomas "Crazy Eyes" Ritter is the Lead Referee for LSU-Bama
Baton Rouge, we have a problem. I was shocked and dismayed to learn that Thomas "Crazy Eyes" Ritter is working as the lead official for the LSU Tigers' epic showdown in Tuscaloosa against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
LSU fans will remember Tom Ritter from the LSU-Auburn game a few years back. You know, the one Auburn "won" 7-3.
In that game, Ritter pulled no less than five penalties out of his arse. Two of the imaginary penalties helped keep alive Auburn's lone touchdown drive, including one remarkable pass interference penalty in which replays clearly showed there was no contact between the LSU player and the Auburn receiver. The other three penalties each stopped an LSU touchdown drive, turning what should have been a 31-0, or at worst -24-3 LSU victory into a 7-3 loss.
Ritter has had it in for LSU in seemingly every game he has officiated involving the Tigers. The Auburn game was his most devious performance, but he's been consistent in that he has made awful calls in every game LSU has played in in which he has officiated, and 100% of them have hurt the Tigers' chances for victory.
It is despicable that this man is still officiating in the SEC, given his lengthy track record as the worst official in college football, not to mention his favortism for teams from the state of Alabama.
The "wild card" or "X-factor" mentioned by just about every analyst and pundit as the potential game-changer that could decide which teams wins this game may well turn out to be Thomas "Crazy Eyes" Ritter.
Don't be surprised if Ritter makes several bad calls down the stretch that ultimately cost LSU the game, or at least make it a much closer game than in would have been had any other human being officiated the game. If history repeats itself, the Tigers may well have to score two or three touchdowns for every one that will count towards the final score.
Don't be surprised if Ritter finds creative ways to kill any momentum LSU manages to build in this game with penalties against the Tigers that only Ritter can see, hence his nickname "Crazy Eyes". Don't be surprised to see the LSU defense snuff out the Alabama offense, only for Ritter to pull a yellow flag out of his you-know-where --- not because there was actually a penalty on the play, but because calling one on LSU helps keep a Bama drive going.
I hope I'm wrong about this one, but I've seen too many LSU games to be oblivious to the fact that Crazy Eyes has it out for us. Let's just hope his creative penalties aren't enough to sway the outcome one way or the other.
If we lose a hard-fought ballgame because Alabama outplays us or because they're the better team, I will be terribly disappointed, but I'll be able to live with the outcome. However if Alabama wins a game in which Thomas Ritter is the home team's Most Valuable Player, look for this blog and this author to make it a personal goal to see to it that that guy never officiates another SEC game again.
LSU fans will remember Tom Ritter from the LSU-Auburn game a few years back. You know, the one Auburn "won" 7-3.
In that game, Ritter pulled no less than five penalties out of his arse. Two of the imaginary penalties helped keep alive Auburn's lone touchdown drive, including one remarkable pass interference penalty in which replays clearly showed there was no contact between the LSU player and the Auburn receiver. The other three penalties each stopped an LSU touchdown drive, turning what should have been a 31-0, or at worst -24-3 LSU victory into a 7-3 loss.
Ritter has had it in for LSU in seemingly every game he has officiated involving the Tigers. The Auburn game was his most devious performance, but he's been consistent in that he has made awful calls in every game LSU has played in in which he has officiated, and 100% of them have hurt the Tigers' chances for victory.
It is despicable that this man is still officiating in the SEC, given his lengthy track record as the worst official in college football, not to mention his favortism for teams from the state of Alabama.
The "wild card" or "X-factor" mentioned by just about every analyst and pundit as the potential game-changer that could decide which teams wins this game may well turn out to be Thomas "Crazy Eyes" Ritter.
Don't be surprised if Ritter makes several bad calls down the stretch that ultimately cost LSU the game, or at least make it a much closer game than in would have been had any other human being officiated the game. If history repeats itself, the Tigers may well have to score two or three touchdowns for every one that will count towards the final score.
Don't be surprised if Ritter finds creative ways to kill any momentum LSU manages to build in this game with penalties against the Tigers that only Ritter can see, hence his nickname "Crazy Eyes". Don't be surprised to see the LSU defense snuff out the Alabama offense, only for Ritter to pull a yellow flag out of his you-know-where --- not because there was actually a penalty on the play, but because calling one on LSU helps keep a Bama drive going.
I hope I'm wrong about this one, but I've seen too many LSU games to be oblivious to the fact that Crazy Eyes has it out for us. Let's just hope his creative penalties aren't enough to sway the outcome one way or the other.
If we lose a hard-fought ballgame because Alabama outplays us or because they're the better team, I will be terribly disappointed, but I'll be able to live with the outcome. However if Alabama wins a game in which Thomas Ritter is the home team's Most Valuable Player, look for this blog and this author to make it a personal goal to see to it that that guy never officiates another SEC game again.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Sorry ESPN, Les Miles Still an LSU Tiger
It seems that every time the University of Michigan has a head football coaching vacancy, ESPN reports that Les Miles, head football coach at Louisiana State University (LSU) has reached an agreement to take over the Wolverines' program.
Let me be perfectly clear: Les Miles is staying at LSU, not leaving for Michigan --- regardless of what ESPN has to say about it.
This has happened twice now. The first time was in 2007 when Kirk Herbstreet reported that Michigan had hired Miles on the day before LSU was to take on Tennessee in the SEC title game. LSU had to host an impromptu press conference the morning of the game in order to debunk the rumors.
Some speculate that due to the timing of the '07 rumors, Herbstreet's source may have been someone associated with the Tennessee football program. The rationale is that by creating such a huge distraction for LSU the day before the game, the Tigers' focus would be elsewhere, giving Tennessee the edge in terms of mental preparedness.
Most recently, ESPN reported on Sportscenter that Miles was set to meet with Michigan officials and was poised to accept the position this time around if offered. That broadcast aired January 10, 2011. On January 11, LSU announced it had reached an agreement with Miles on a contract extension that will keep him a Tiger for the next seven seasons.
The identity of ESPN's source, as well has his or her motive, is anybody's guess on this one. Sure, no proof exists that Tennessee was responsible for the first incident, but at least there is a clearly defined motive that makes sense.
In the second instance, the suspect and motive are notably less clear. While certainly a head-scratcher, the mystery surrounding the most recent ESPN faux report hasn't done anything to quell speculation as to who was behind the rumor and why. The article linked to below takes an in-depth look at some of the different theories that attempt to identify the source of the "leak", as well as the motive.
For more on ESPN's erroneous reporting of Miles' nonexistent plans to leave LSU for his alma mater, check out the complete article at Fat Lester's blog: Les Miles To Remain At LSU (ESPN Gets It Wrong Again).
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| LSU Fans Show Support for Miles |
This has happened twice now. The first time was in 2007 when Kirk Herbstreet reported that Michigan had hired Miles on the day before LSU was to take on Tennessee in the SEC title game. LSU had to host an impromptu press conference the morning of the game in order to debunk the rumors.
Some speculate that due to the timing of the '07 rumors, Herbstreet's source may have been someone associated with the Tennessee football program. The rationale is that by creating such a huge distraction for LSU the day before the game, the Tigers' focus would be elsewhere, giving Tennessee the edge in terms of mental preparedness.
Most recently, ESPN reported on Sportscenter that Miles was set to meet with Michigan officials and was poised to accept the position this time around if offered. That broadcast aired January 10, 2011. On January 11, LSU announced it had reached an agreement with Miles on a contract extension that will keep him a Tiger for the next seven seasons.
The identity of ESPN's source, as well has his or her motive, is anybody's guess on this one. Sure, no proof exists that Tennessee was responsible for the first incident, but at least there is a clearly defined motive that makes sense.
In the second instance, the suspect and motive are notably less clear. While certainly a head-scratcher, the mystery surrounding the most recent ESPN faux report hasn't done anything to quell speculation as to who was behind the rumor and why. The article linked to below takes an in-depth look at some of the different theories that attempt to identify the source of the "leak", as well as the motive.
For more on ESPN's erroneous reporting of Miles' nonexistent plans to leave LSU for his alma mater, check out the complete article at Fat Lester's blog: Les Miles To Remain At LSU (ESPN Gets It Wrong Again).
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