- Oct 5, 2017
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Ok, I've driven over 1,300 miles the past 48 hours, sat in my car in Baton Rouge for 2 hours after the game got in at around 4 am ET to my AirBnB, left Gulfport around 10 am ET, and I'm very tired. I have not re-watched the game. Sorry about no preview, my original plan was to vlog a preview on the way up, but my tickets, which I ordered in August, didn't arrive until 3:30 pm, but I had no idea when they would be coming so I didn't want to be half done writing and run out. BTW, f*ck the guy whose tickets I bought. When I saw it was an overnight only option, I thought that I'd at least be getting a ticket stub (I have almost 30 years of stubs from games). No, this guy printed a PDF, waited two months and overnighted them Thursday night when he could have just listed them as downloadable/email. When I opened the package Friday afternoon, it should of been a sign. The lighting didn't work to have my brother record me on the way up because the direct light from the west would have backlighted the crap out of it. Anyways, that has a whole lot of nothing, but just some things that just told me it would be a weekend. And the AirBnB we stayed at with a mattress that when laying on it tilted our head down and feet up 
. So yea, pardon this for being done without me doing my re-watch and being tired.
Pre-game was good, got to briefly talk to Sas and have some food with the NOLA Gator Club. Then walking around campus, checking out Mike the Tiger, pictures in front of the stadium, etc. I have written many times that LSU is my least favorite fan base. I cannot say that in good conscious after this visit. Plenty of just fun and kind LSU people. We ended up being brought into a tailgate and then the one next door had us try their food. We ate a lot both with NOLA and these two tailgates. Plenty of good energy from UF fans in attendance before, during and even after the game. One thing I did find interesting was I asked at least 6-7 LSU fans what gameday traditions to look out for in the stadium (like we have Two Bits, Gators spell out, etc.) and to a person they said, "nothing really". I thought perhaps they were overlooking something, but they weren't.
I do want to point out something I either said here, on Twitter, in person, or all 3. When I heard Gameday was in Red Stick it reminded me of a certain schedule approximately 13 years ago when we hosted a good LSU team with Gameday and then went to a good Auburn team with Gameday. We lost that second game...it didn't cost us anything. This one may or may not, but plenty of positives and plenty to critique.
Offense
The offense is improving and I'm not sure exactly how good LSU's defense is, but boy did our Offense earn our program respect last night. Dropping only two spots after a 2 TD loss shows me that we impressed some doubters.
We ran the ball better than we have all season, but I'm not sure if that's due to o-line change up, improvement, Mullen doing more passing, LSU's defense, or all of the above. The sickness of hitting the designed hole no matter what other hole is open still remains. Even on Perine's early big run on our first TD drive he hits the hole though clogged, then after, and only after, does he bump it outside for a big gain.
Trask was phenomenal overall. A few passes got away from him, but most QB's will have a few a game they will want back. The INT was awful, but was something that looks like a guy with little experience. Yes, on that play Cleveland was being harassed, however, IF Trask throws it to Cleveland, maybe someone sees the call and we don't get the pick. This dude needs his own game. I'm with Ox on this (there's a thread). I have said for about 24 hours that I don't want to see EJ unless he is starting. Not that I don't like him, but it kills the flow. See the INT drive. That, and at least one other drive Trask moves us downfield only to have EJ come in when we hit the red zone. Stick with the hot hand. Also, the amount of predictability when he is the "change up" QB is terrible. Funny, when he briefly became QB1 against Auburn, we called a regular offense with some running, but we don't do that when he isn't QB1. Speaking of that 3rd and 6 inches. I hope some reporter, hell I'll even take Edgar, asks Dan if he knows what a QB sneak is. You have a 6' 5" 240 lbs QB. If you can't sneak 6 inches, you deserve to lose. Even the under the center hand offs were getting several yards per carry.
The drive starting with EJ was also baffling as was the final bit at the goal line. With that said, the fact I can come up with so few gripes in a game where we lost by 14 shows overall what a good performance this was for the offense. I do think we need to continue to force the defenses to stop the pass. It is unacceptable that Pitts saw the ball so little in the second half, but then again, Jefferson got a ton of work right out of the gate there and we took the lead. UGA last year flashed through my head where we did the same thing, too bad that thought ended up accurate.
Offense put up over 450 yards, Trask threw for over 300 in Death Valley at night, can you imagine this offense when Toney returns?
Defense
If you would have told me that the defense would fall off the rails like it did and allow several 30+ yard TD's pre-game, I wouldn't believe you.
Around the Nation
Closing Thoughts
Everything is still in front of us, just like it was when we lost on our second straight Gameday appearance all those years ago. If Greenard, Zuniga, and Toney play, this is a different game. I'd also like to see this game without night in Death Valley, which was impressive. Hell, I got flack for posting it on Twitter, but I was in the Stadium 90 minutes before the game and you know who else was there? A massive portion of LSU Students. I tweeted Stricklin to look into how they do it. What else is there to tweet 90 minutes before kick?
Maybe our defense continues in this form or maybe this is an aberration? If it is an aberration and Zuniga and Greenard comeback whole, can you imagine the defense that shut down Auburn with the offense that improves every week and is missing its biggest threat in Toney (Pitts is making a statement though)? We are either seeing the beginning of something beautiful or we have our own Richt. Only time will tell. And no, neither Champ nor Butters were ever Richt as he could actually contend for the SEC at times and recruited offensive linemen.
I like where we are and believe that if healthy, this team will be in Atlanta with a legitimate shot of winning. Sometimes losses have a positive effect on a team and sometimes, Mizzou 2018 happens.
My apologies (or you're welcome Batman) on being so short, but I wanted to put something out after seeing a question about it in the chat box. Didn't want to seem like I disappeared due to a loss (no the 8 hour drive will do it).
Go Gators!
EDIT: As always, I will gladly discuss issues below. Feel free to ask questions, I'll get to them tomorrow night.
. So yea, pardon this for being done without me doing my re-watch and being tired.Pre-game was good, got to briefly talk to Sas and have some food with the NOLA Gator Club. Then walking around campus, checking out Mike the Tiger, pictures in front of the stadium, etc. I have written many times that LSU is my least favorite fan base. I cannot say that in good conscious after this visit. Plenty of just fun and kind LSU people. We ended up being brought into a tailgate and then the one next door had us try their food. We ate a lot both with NOLA and these two tailgates. Plenty of good energy from UF fans in attendance before, during and even after the game. One thing I did find interesting was I asked at least 6-7 LSU fans what gameday traditions to look out for in the stadium (like we have Two Bits, Gators spell out, etc.) and to a person they said, "nothing really". I thought perhaps they were overlooking something, but they weren't.
I do want to point out something I either said here, on Twitter, in person, or all 3. When I heard Gameday was in Red Stick it reminded me of a certain schedule approximately 13 years ago when we hosted a good LSU team with Gameday and then went to a good Auburn team with Gameday. We lost that second game...it didn't cost us anything. This one may or may not, but plenty of positives and plenty to critique.
Offense
The offense is improving and I'm not sure exactly how good LSU's defense is, but boy did our Offense earn our program respect last night. Dropping only two spots after a 2 TD loss shows me that we impressed some doubters.
We ran the ball better than we have all season, but I'm not sure if that's due to o-line change up, improvement, Mullen doing more passing, LSU's defense, or all of the above. The sickness of hitting the designed hole no matter what other hole is open still remains. Even on Perine's early big run on our first TD drive he hits the hole though clogged, then after, and only after, does he bump it outside for a big gain.
Trask was phenomenal overall. A few passes got away from him, but most QB's will have a few a game they will want back. The INT was awful, but was something that looks like a guy with little experience. Yes, on that play Cleveland was being harassed, however, IF Trask throws it to Cleveland, maybe someone sees the call and we don't get the pick. This dude needs his own game. I'm with Ox on this (there's a thread). I have said for about 24 hours that I don't want to see EJ unless he is starting. Not that I don't like him, but it kills the flow. See the INT drive. That, and at least one other drive Trask moves us downfield only to have EJ come in when we hit the red zone. Stick with the hot hand. Also, the amount of predictability when he is the "change up" QB is terrible. Funny, when he briefly became QB1 against Auburn, we called a regular offense with some running, but we don't do that when he isn't QB1. Speaking of that 3rd and 6 inches. I hope some reporter, hell I'll even take Edgar, asks Dan if he knows what a QB sneak is. You have a 6' 5" 240 lbs QB. If you can't sneak 6 inches, you deserve to lose. Even the under the center hand offs were getting several yards per carry.
The drive starting with EJ was also baffling as was the final bit at the goal line. With that said, the fact I can come up with so few gripes in a game where we lost by 14 shows overall what a good performance this was for the offense. I do think we need to continue to force the defenses to stop the pass. It is unacceptable that Pitts saw the ball so little in the second half, but then again, Jefferson got a ton of work right out of the gate there and we took the lead. UGA last year flashed through my head where we did the same thing, too bad that thought ended up accurate.
Offense put up over 450 yards, Trask threw for over 300 in Death Valley at night, can you imagine this offense when Toney returns?
Defense
If you would have told me that the defense would fall off the rails like it did and allow several 30+ yard TD's pre-game, I wouldn't believe you.
- The losses of Greenard and Zuniga were massive. Greenard is a big leader, which shouldn't be a role for a guy who just transferred in, but that speaks to the type of player he is. Also, I think this is why we only dropped to 9 along with our offense.
- Stiner again was bad, but the other safeties weren't much better last night.
- Hendo had his Tabor/Jennings moment last night.
- Why Burney rarely played when his speed/athleticism could have been useful is shocking.
- We seriously did rush 3 or 4 most of the game from what I saw (again, haven't re-watched yet). If you give any QB time, they can hurt you. This one also has a good system around him.
- I do not want to be the defense in practice on Monday.
Around the Nation
- UGA lost to USCe, potentially costing me money for this weekend, but I may have trials next week so going may be shut down with the Noon kickoff. Seriously though, anyone else love how hot and heavy the Blankenship love was early by the announcers only for him to crap the bed after halftime?
- I think Clemson just scored again.
- Who doesn't want to potentially see Hurts and OU beat Bama? Except the few Bama fans here
- Tennessee trying to keep Der...But...Jeremy Pruitt's job.
- Kentucky with a big win over Arky...anyone care?
- UCF is lobbying for Vandy's spot, I can feel it. But at least they bring in real Natty's in baseball.
- Were there other games? Yes. Did I watch/care? No.
- Oh, and Miami improving our SOS.
Closing Thoughts
Everything is still in front of us, just like it was when we lost on our second straight Gameday appearance all those years ago. If Greenard, Zuniga, and Toney play, this is a different game. I'd also like to see this game without night in Death Valley, which was impressive. Hell, I got flack for posting it on Twitter, but I was in the Stadium 90 minutes before the game and you know who else was there? A massive portion of LSU Students. I tweeted Stricklin to look into how they do it. What else is there to tweet 90 minutes before kick?
Maybe our defense continues in this form or maybe this is an aberration? If it is an aberration and Zuniga and Greenard comeback whole, can you imagine the defense that shut down Auburn with the offense that improves every week and is missing its biggest threat in Toney (Pitts is making a statement though)? We are either seeing the beginning of something beautiful or we have our own Richt. Only time will tell. And no, neither Champ nor Butters were ever Richt as he could actually contend for the SEC at times and recruited offensive linemen.
I like where we are and believe that if healthy, this team will be in Atlanta with a legitimate shot of winning. Sometimes losses have a positive effect on a team and sometimes, Mizzou 2018 happens.
My apologies (or you're welcome Batman) on being so short, but I wanted to put something out after seeing a question about it in the chat box. Didn't want to seem like I disappeared due to a loss (no the 8 hour drive will do it).
Go Gators!
EDIT: As always, I will gladly discuss issues below. Feel free to ask questions, I'll get to them tomorrow night.
