🏈 Friday's random thoughts on LSU - short, but to the point. What are yours?

[TerryP]

To start the thread off I'll go with this one. I'll add more as we get closer to game time.

Press clippings.

We've all talked about how teams read them and how some players buy into them. Most of the time it isn't a good thing.

How do you think Mettenberger feels, or how do you think his thought processes are holding up, when all he hears and reads about the game is "it's on his shoulders because LSU can't win with just a running game?"

I see it as more pressure, which leads to taking more chances, which leads to more mistakes.

 

[jdpas29]

agreed. it is the main reason that i can't see LSU scoring more than a handful of points. he is not going to be able to carry his team against alabama's pass defense.

their running game has looked good at times, but those times weren't against the kind of run defense that alabama sports so i don't expect that to look that great either.

the best chance lsu has of competing well in this game is to pray that alabama implodes on both sides of the ball.

 

[Rolltide24]

I'd sure like to see our defense start the game crowding the line with at least 10 guys, similar to the way we lined up against Miami in the 92 NCG. Show him a look that would make him wet his pants. Challenge him right out of the gates. Even if we only did it one or two plays to open the game it could pay dividends. Just a thought...

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Every prediction, other than Phil Steele, seems to show us winning by 7 to 17 points. It would be great if we could continue our trend of getting up a couple of scores early. Even though I believe we'll win, I'm still nervous that our margin of victory will not be enough to overcome potential atypical developments (KO or punt return for TD, blocked punt for TD, muffed punt (most likely), sack/fumble) and the points they may generate and make the game a toss-up.

RTR,

Tim

 

[UAgrad93]

I just don't see LSwho being patient enough to try and dink and dunk down the field like MSU had some success with to muster any type of scoring drive. A KR or some type of turnover resulting in a short field is the only way I see them scoring. In the end, I still see us winning this one by 10-14 points. LSwho's passing game has just been horrible and I just don't see them finding it over the BYE week.

 

[TerryP]

I just don't see LSwho being patient enough to try and dink and dunk down the field like MSU had some success with to muster any type of scoring drive. A KR or some type of turnover resulting in a short field is the only way I see them scoring. In the end, I still see us winning this one by 10-14 points. LSwho's passing game has just been horrible and I just don't see them finding it over the BYE week.

It'll be there. The question is whether Mett goes that far in his progressions—and unless it's just been pounded in his head this week I don't see him having that patience.

A double TE set with one back and two wides? They may just give him one choice.

 

[TerryP]

Since Week 2 of the 1993 season, LSU has been shut out three times in 244 games. All 3 came at the hands of Alabama

 

[planomateo]

^^ that's a stat that I never get tired of seeing

Roll Tide

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

Win time of possession, be ready for the mad hatters trickeration, & do NOT miss field goals. That will be enough pressure on LSU.

 

[bamaraider]

I want too see what Saban and Kirby Smart has in store for him defensively...What disguises and blitz packages he will bring...

 

[bamaraider]

Win time of possession, be ready for the mad hatters trickeration, & do NOT miss field goals. That will be enough pressure on LSU.

Yes, keep those 4 RB's off the field.....Score on every drive that you can.

 

[UAgrad93]

It'll be there. The question is whether Mett goes that far in his progressions—and unless it's just been pounded in his head this week I don't see him having that patience.

A double TE set with one back and two wides? They may just give him one choice.

I understand that it will be there, but like you said, will Mett be patient enough to go through the progressions and will his patchwork line give him the time?

 

[CaptainTide]

I don't know about anyone else, but as we've gotten closer and closer to gameday I've started getting an uneasy feeling about this game. I really, really, hope the players are staying focused like they have all year. No reason to think otherwise, I guess. It's just that stupid ESPN has been following the entire team around all week, or at least it seems like that. :shake:

As everyone else has said, the keys to this game probably lie in keeping LSU's defense on the field as long as possible. Giving Mett plenty of pressure, making the offense get on and leave the field very quickly. No time to rethink their strategy on the field.

Also I like that shutout stat.

 

[Houndstoothpuller]

There have been a few times this year when I thought "Alabama really needs to work on THAT, or it's going to bite them."

Every single time I've said that to myself, it's been while the opponent is having a great kick return.
Our kickoff coverage could be LSU's best opportunity for explosive scoring, or at least momentum swings in their favor.

We've been gashed a few times on kickoffs, and this type of game is ripe for it, imo

 

['65 Cobra]

I'd like to see us run a little no-huddle a few times. Hope we can get some serious pressure on Mett rushing just four.

You have the whole Death Valley at night thing, and that other stat posted by Bamanewsbot(?) about #1 teams coming off games against Top 20 teams,LSU winning 7 of the last 9 or something like that, etc., etc.

At the end of the day, it's out of our hands. This team has a chance to make history and I hope they are up to the moment and just play their hearts out. It is a young team, but there is excellent upper classmen leadership and some key players who are cool cucumbers with lots of confidence, like AJ and Barrett and Lester on defense. Saban has been able to overcome and erase historical trends before. I know he will lead the team to do it again tomorrow night. RTR!!!

 

[ColoradoTide]

Cecil Hurt jut predicted 13-10 Bama.

If it's like that my nerves will be shot by the time it's over.... Happy, but shot.

 

[JoshB]

Definitely think Saban/Smart are gonna throw a ton at Mettinberger to see what he can and cant handle in terms of disguising coverages and blitzes...

I would really like to see AJ hit some stuff downfield, I've heard all week about how he can't win the game and he has to rely on the defense and running game.

 

[bamadezz]

My thoughts on LSU? Their defense is good, their offense is almost non existent at times. Or at least that's the way I've seen it the past 5 games I've watched of theirs.

 

[jdpas29]

come on yall... this lsu team was almost beaten by Auburn this year. that has to tell you a little something.

i think unless Bama implodes on both sides of the ball we stomp an elephant sized foot-hole in them.

 

[bamaraider]

Can't always judge on one game, now their offense has underwhelmed in many games, but you have to believe after a bye week and getting some players healthy, what they will have in store on offense.