Thoughts on rematch (if we get it)...

[jaakRTR]

Just want your thoughts on what will happen in a rematch if we get a chance at it. I have been lurking on LSU message boards, just lurking not posting, just to see what they are talking about. More than half do not want a rematch, and the ones that do think LSU have improved so much since Nov. 5 rolleyes that they will thrash us in the BCSNCG. What do you think will happen??? Different play calling? More aggressive (not conservative) play calling??? More touchdowns, less FG attempts?? What do you guys think??

RTR,
Jason

 

[skrayper77]

If we're healthy... we win by at least a TD. I would presume the officiating crew will likely be better ;p

We're playing better - and consider our injuries to that equation.

 

[AngryEwok]

Our one loss is to LSU in overtime. If politics keep us out of the game, if we are denied our rightful spot in the National Championship game to a team that lost (a week after we did) to a 20-someodd point underdog... It would be a shame, a real shame.

 

[jaakRTR]

If we're healthy... we win by at least a TD. I would presume the officiating crew will likely be better ;p

We're playing better - and consider our injuries to that equation.

Speaking of officiating, won't there be another crew from another BCS conference calling that game? Don't they mix it up in BCS bowl games? Just hope it isn't Big10 officials, they are pretty bad, lol.

RTR,
Jason

 

[jaakRTR]

Our one loss is to LSU in overtime. If politics keep us out of the game, if we are denied our rightful spot in the National Championship game to a team that lost (a week after we did) to a 20-someodd point underdog... It would be a shame, a real shame.

I agree 100%.

RTR,
Jason

 

[Neos]

I like our chances on winning it. We only lost the Nov. 5th game because we kept shooting ourselves in the foot whenever we were in a good scoring position. We also could have shut them out if we made the field goals/punted.

Early prediction 24-13 good guys.

 

[TheTradition]

If we want to think about beating LSU, our ST play is gonna have to improve from now until then. Not just field goals but kickoffs too. This is the second week in a row we've had a kickoff taken back. Hopefully, we get that fixed.

I would also like to see us be a little more aggressive on O this time around especially when we get near the redzone. Gotta play smart too. D just needs to do what they did the first time.

 

[TideMom2Boys]

I think the hype got to us. This time, they will learn how to control it, and we will be the underdogs. I think we Roll to a good win!

 

[Neos]

If we want to think about beating LSU, our ST play is gonna have to improve from now until then. Not just field goals but kickoffs too. This is the second week in a row we've had a kickoff taken back. Hopefully, we get that fixed.

I would also like to see us be a little more aggressive on O this time around especially when we get near the redzone. Gotta play smart too. D just needs to do what they did the first time.

Can't agree more. Special teams play is the only problem I see with this group. It would be a shame if we lose again because of it.

 

[chuaner]

i think we can certainly learn more from that game then LSU.

We won't force to kick a long FG. We'd rather punt for go 4th like we did today. We will improve our kickoff coverage. Also we'll have better play calling when we advanced deep in their territory.

We almost did everything wrong in that game and barely lost 3 point in overtime. I don't see that gonna happen again and we will win by a TD at least even we just do half of the things right these time. (Suppose we still have tiffin as kicker, even he missed 1-2, we could still ends up 6-9 point ahead of LSU at the end of the regular time.)

 

[JessN]

Speaking of officiating, won't there be another crew from another BCS conference calling that game? Don't they mix it up in BCS bowl games? Just hope it isn't Big10 officials, they are pretty bad, lol.

RTR,
Jason

We would get officials from another conference, yes.

 

[nakinc]

Our kickoffs and now the coverage has to improve by leaps and bounds. We should hold tryouts to find someone who can kick into the end zone consistently,say someone from the soccer team or the scout team. We have 43 days to fix something we haven't done the whole season. If this doesn't change,I am afraid we lose again. You can't continue to give a great team like LSU field position starting at the 40 and expect our defense to hold everytime. We are too evenly matched, except on ST's.

 

[TommyMac]

We're gonna have to fix the STs as already noted and we're gonna have to expand our passing game. We can't beat LSU just throwing screens and dump-offs. LSU will eat our lunch if they only have to defend 5-10 yards downfield.

 

[RJ YellowHammer]

If we want to think about beating LSU, our ST play is gonna have to improve from now until then. Not just field goals but kickoffs too. This is the second week in a row we've had a kickoff taken back. Hopefully, we get that fixed.

I would also like to see us be a little more aggressive on O this time around especially when we get near the redzone. Gotta play smart too. D just needs to do what they did the first time.

We're as good or better than LSU in two out of three phases of the game, but you're right about special teams. We have to improve!

To beat LSU imo:

1) Eliminate self-inflicted, drive killing penalties and miscues. We did it on the first drive against API yesterday and had, in the RZ, a pre-snap penalty again cost us a TD. Offensively, we have to stay ahead of the down and distance. Broken plays, false starts, and substitution penalties will beat us against LSU just like they did Nov. 5th.

2) Honey Badger will shred us in the return game if we aren't more sound. I'd be ashamed to have someone hear the string of expletives I let loose during McCaleb's TD return to open the 2nd half yesterday.

3) We need some roster luck. Barron having a neck issue scares me and we need everyone else to stay healthy and unsuspended during bowl practice. The good news here is that history suggests LSU players are far more likely to get suspended for something stupid before January 9th.

 

[richmond2ttown]

I really like our chances in the rematch...we are pretty nicked up now and the 40+ days give our guys a chance to heal...and I believe our coaching staff will have our guys prepared to perform at their highest level.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

We're gonna have to fix the STs as already noted and we're gonna have to expand our passing game. We can't beat LSU just throwing screens and dump-offs. LSU will eat our lunch if they only have to defend 5-10 yards downfield.

Precisely. Call me the pessimist in the group, but I think LSU is getting better, more consistent and more powerful with Jefferson running things. Les and the Boys are slowing expanding the passing game, and JJ gives LSU another big fast running back we'll have to defend.

Meanwhile, our passing game numbers at Auburn were built on two trick plays and a bunch of short passes. AJ played well. Brad was great. But once again we didn't show any consistent ability or inclination to get the ball down field. And that was Auburn.

Against LSU, defenses are a wash. Unless we figure out some kind of passing game, offenses are a wash too, except for Jefferson. Given the gap in our special teams, we'll be clear underdogs going into the game.

We don't expect to put the same team on the field in New Orleans. But let's not expect the same team from LSU either.

 

[oldtimetider]

I wonder if we should get TR and EL in the backfield at the same time for a couple of series...or maybe some traditional I with JF at fb...or maybe a combination of the above with MM stirred in in the wildcat.....not to get too cute but we must be able to run to beat LSU

 

[Crimson1967]

If we had won the LSU game I wouldn't want a rematch, either. Beating the same team twice when you are equally matched is tough.

 

[MOAN]

I wonder if we should get TR and EL in the backfield at the same time for a couple of series...or maybe some traditional I with JF at fb...or maybe a combination of the above with MM stirred in in the wildcat.....not to get too cute but we must be able to run to beat LSU

We won't beat LSU throwing the ball all over the field, we must run the ball and run effectively to beat them. Our running backs are not prone to turnovers like AJ would be throwing the ball and getting the ball knocked loose from sacks like yesterday. Win the turnover battle!

Special teams has been mentioned here several times but is worth mentioning again! LSU has a clear advantage here. If we can close the gap on the special teams we will have a chance as I believe we have the best defense and clearly the best running backs in my opinion.

 

[jcabama]

One thing we will not see from LSU is Lee at QB. The two interceptions sealed his fate in any rematch and takes away one of our advantages--his psyche. While the ST bust yesterday was pinned on DePriest, the killer is not being able to consistently get the ball inside the 5 at least. Certainly using Shelley to kick-off isn't the answer--might as well just kick out of bounds and give them the ball on the 40. Foster has the ability but lacks the consistency. Maybe take any FG duties off of him and focus him entirely on KOs might make a difference but seems a problem without an obvious solution. Still like our chances--hope the voters don't shaft us but ...........