2-Oklahoma State
3-Alabama
4-Stanford
5-Boise State
Next Game:
Western Kentucky at 1) LSU
2) Oklahoma State at Texas Tech
3) Alabama at Mississippi State
Oregon at 4) Stanford
TCU at 5) Boise State
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Stumble and Recover: ‘Bama No. 3 in BCS Standings
1-LSU
2-Oklahoma State
3-Alabama
4-Stanford
5-Boise State
Next Game:
Western Kentucky at 1) LSU
2) Oklahoma State at Texas Tech
3) Alabama at Mississippi State
Oregon at 4) Stanford
TCU at 5) Boise State
2-Oklahoma State
3-Alabama
4-Stanford
5-Boise State
Next Game:
Western Kentucky at 1) LSU
2) Oklahoma State at Texas Tech
3) Alabama at Mississippi State
Oregon at 4) Stanford
TCU at 5) Boise State
“Les” is more: LSU 9 Alabama 6
Les Miles is quite the zany fellow, but he is also arguably the best college football coach in the nation.
For the second consecutive season the LSU Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide, and for the second consecutive season, Les Miles outcoached Nick Saban.
Under the bright lights of Bryant-Denny Stadium it was Miles who was steady and calculated in his attack, while Saban pulled out trick plays and ill-advised field goal attempts from a career-long inconsistent kicker.
What was the result? LSU 9 Alabama 6.
In a game of high-stakes the “little things” come home to roost, and for Alabama that was certainly the case.
Crimson Lowlights
-The aforementioned missed and arguably ill-advised field goals.
-Failed trick plays---Marquis Maze falling down on a reverse---Maze throwing an interception out of the “wildcat” formation. **Maze INT came directly after a 24-yard Trent Richardson run which put ‘Bama inside the LSU 30.**
-Illegal substitution penalties which put the Tide behind the chains. **Crucial substitution penalty in the overtime session.**
-Critical interception by Mark Barron, but an even more critical block in the back on the return resulting in loss of field position. **Barron returned the ball to the LSU four-yard line.**
-Brad Wing’s 73-yard punt which was allowed to roll “dead” instead of fielded. **Punt returner Maze claimed the ball struck a camera wire in flight. The claim was later denied by the camera operator.**
-Not physically handing the ball to the best player on the field (Richardson) during the overtime period, but instead choosing to pass or attempt to pass…three straight plays.
Pondering the Future
In a “depressing” turn of events, the best defense Alabama has fielded in 50 years, and arguably one of the best defenses in college football history, will possibly have nothing to show for all the hard work and dedication. No SEC title…no national title.
Alabama is still very much “in the game” but the Crimson Tide will need outside help…which is always a gamble.
The idea of a rematch is certainly tantalizing given the fact that LSU and Alabama are indeed the two best teams in the country, however, ‘Bama had four quarters and an overtime session to defeat the Tigers…and were unsuccessful.
An Alabama win over LSU in the national title game would do nothing but “even the score”…and only provoke more questions.
The Crimson Tide had a chance and kicked it all away…quite literally.
>>>LSU/Alabama Game Statistics<<<
For the second consecutive season the LSU Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide, and for the second consecutive season, Les Miles outcoached Nick Saban.
Under the bright lights of Bryant-Denny Stadium it was Miles who was steady and calculated in his attack, while Saban pulled out trick plays and ill-advised field goal attempts from a career-long inconsistent kicker.
What was the result? LSU 9 Alabama 6.
In a game of high-stakes the “little things” come home to roost, and for Alabama that was certainly the case.
Crimson Lowlights
-The aforementioned missed and arguably ill-advised field goals.
-Failed trick plays---Marquis Maze falling down on a reverse---Maze throwing an interception out of the “wildcat” formation. **Maze INT came directly after a 24-yard Trent Richardson run which put ‘Bama inside the LSU 30.**
-Illegal substitution penalties which put the Tide behind the chains. **Crucial substitution penalty in the overtime session.**
-Critical interception by Mark Barron, but an even more critical block in the back on the return resulting in loss of field position. **Barron returned the ball to the LSU four-yard line.**
-Brad Wing’s 73-yard punt which was allowed to roll “dead” instead of fielded. **Punt returner Maze claimed the ball struck a camera wire in flight. The claim was later denied by the camera operator.**
-Not physically handing the ball to the best player on the field (Richardson) during the overtime period, but instead choosing to pass or attempt to pass…three straight plays.
Pondering the Future
In a “depressing” turn of events, the best defense Alabama has fielded in 50 years, and arguably one of the best defenses in college football history, will possibly have nothing to show for all the hard work and dedication. No SEC title…no national title.
Alabama is still very much “in the game” but the Crimson Tide will need outside help…which is always a gamble.
The idea of a rematch is certainly tantalizing given the fact that LSU and Alabama are indeed the two best teams in the country, however, ‘Bama had four quarters and an overtime session to defeat the Tigers…and were unsuccessful.
An Alabama win over LSU in the national title game would do nothing but “even the score”…and only provoke more questions.
The Crimson Tide had a chance and kicked it all away…quite literally.
>>>LSU/Alabama Game Statistics<<<
Thursday, November 3, 2011
LSU/Alabama: Importance of Self-Discipline
Earlier this week the topic of mental fortitude was discussed in relation to the hype that surrounds the LSU/Alabama contest.
In conjunction with the concept of mental resilience conquering propaganda, the theme of self-discipline is also a worthy topic for dissection and conversation.
Is it possible to overcome the hype, yet remain undisciplined during the game?
Here are several examples of undisciplined football that could very well become significant Saturday night…
-False start on third-and-one.
-Offsides on third-and-one.
-An offensive lineman commits a “lazy” hold because he was out of kilter at the snap.
-Block in the back on a kickoff/punt return when the block in question had nothing to do with the play.
-Running back gets the edge for five-yards then a disgruntled defender throws him into the waterboy for an unknown reason.
-“Lazy” hold/pass interference by a defensive back because he was too lethargic to get in position in the first place.
Feel free to add another 50 reasons while you ponder.
Conquering hype is the ability to refute the media, the cameras, and the bright lights; however, self-discipline is the ability to control your own personal conduct.
Self-discipline is not something that can be achieved overnight, or even during the course of two-week game preparation.
The Alabama Crimson Tide average 3.4 penalties per contest, while the LSU Tigers average 6.5.
Pay close attention to the “yellow rags” come Saturday night.
Just because you've conquered the hype…doesn’t mean you've exorcised yourself.
Is it possible to overcome the hype, yet remain undisciplined during the game?
Here are several examples of undisciplined football that could very well become significant Saturday night…
-False start on third-and-one.
-Offsides on third-and-one.
-An offensive lineman commits a “lazy” hold because he was out of kilter at the snap.
-Block in the back on a kickoff/punt return when the block in question had nothing to do with the play.
-Running back gets the edge for five-yards then a disgruntled defender throws him into the waterboy for an unknown reason.
-“Lazy” hold/pass interference by a defensive back because he was too lethargic to get in position in the first place.
Feel free to add another 50 reasons while you ponder.
Conquering hype is the ability to refute the media, the cameras, and the bright lights; however, self-discipline is the ability to control your own personal conduct.
Self-discipline is not something that can be achieved overnight, or even during the course of two-week game preparation.
The Alabama Crimson Tide average 3.4 penalties per contest, while the LSU Tigers average 6.5.
Pay close attention to the “yellow rags” come Saturday night.
Just because you've conquered the hype…doesn’t mean you've exorcised yourself.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
LSU/Alabama: Mental Fortitude Conquers Hype
The game between LSU and Alabama has been dubbed the “Super Bowl” of college football by many pundits and fans.
The hype is so thick not even the finest knife can penetrate the atmosphere surrounding the likely de facto national championship game.
When the eyes of the sporting world shine upon a particular event, the pressure on those directly involved can be overwhelming, and at
times…insufferable.
When the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide collide at Bryant-Denny Stadium, immense talent will be showcased and “statistical duels” will be put to rest in favor of the “physical duel” that has been anticipated by both teams and fans since spring practice.
If the stats are virtually even, and the physical talent is steadfast…how do you win? How does a single player or an entire team conquer the hype and the propaganda?
…Mental fortitude.
The team with the utmost mental determination will prevail under the dense pressure of the game and bright lights of Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The team with the supreme mental stamina won’t blink in the face of high stakes…but triumph in the face of pandemonium.
LSU and Alabama will go head-to-head Saturday night in front of the world. However, LSU and Alabama would go head-to-head if the stadium was empty and nobody cared. The game has to be played, but the hype is simply an “accept or decline” preference.
One team will buckle under the “party line” while another squad will merely play with cerebral resilience and sweep the “mythical hype” under the nearest sideline bench.
The so-called “experts” can “talk up” LSU/Alabama and break the game down until the only thing that remains are minuscule fragments. However, “talking heads” won’t be sacking your favorite quarterback or scoring the game winning touchdown on Saturday.
Hype is a myth, but staying power is real. The ability to conquer with mental fortitude is authentic.
The LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide have been given a “media platform” for greatness. The team who chooses to ignore the platform will obtain the greatness. The platform is a trick…but greatness is tangible and time-honored.
In sports, as in life, you can either take advantage of the opportunity…or let the opportunity take advantage of you.
Saturday night is a football game…not a hype satiate festival. The team that falls for the trap, will encounter their first loss of 2011.
The hype is so thick not even the finest knife can penetrate the atmosphere surrounding the likely de facto national championship game.
When the eyes of the sporting world shine upon a particular event, the pressure on those directly involved can be overwhelming, and at
times…insufferable.
When the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide collide at Bryant-Denny Stadium, immense talent will be showcased and “statistical duels” will be put to rest in favor of the “physical duel” that has been anticipated by both teams and fans since spring practice.
If the stats are virtually even, and the physical talent is steadfast…how do you win? How does a single player or an entire team conquer the hype and the propaganda?
…Mental fortitude.
The team with the utmost mental determination will prevail under the dense pressure of the game and bright lights of Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The team with the supreme mental stamina won’t blink in the face of high stakes…but triumph in the face of pandemonium.
LSU and Alabama will go head-to-head Saturday night in front of the world. However, LSU and Alabama would go head-to-head if the stadium was empty and nobody cared. The game has to be played, but the hype is simply an “accept or decline” preference.
One team will buckle under the “party line” while another squad will merely play with cerebral resilience and sweep the “mythical hype” under the nearest sideline bench.
The so-called “experts” can “talk up” LSU/Alabama and break the game down until the only thing that remains are minuscule fragments. However, “talking heads” won’t be sacking your favorite quarterback or scoring the game winning touchdown on Saturday.
Hype is a myth, but staying power is real. The ability to conquer with mental fortitude is authentic.
The LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide have been given a “media platform” for greatness. The team who chooses to ignore the platform will obtain the greatness. The platform is a trick…but greatness is tangible and time-honored.
In sports, as in life, you can either take advantage of the opportunity…or let the opportunity take advantage of you.
Saturday night is a football game…not a hype satiate festival. The team that falls for the trap, will encounter their first loss of 2011.
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