Had you told me that Coach Nick Saban and his staff would be out-coached by Les Miles, I would have thought you were delusional. Les Miles. The Mad-Hatter. The Coach who, like his team, has looked absolutely clueless in numerous occasions at the crucial moment at the end of games. The Coach that seems to pull wins out of nowhere did it again against the Alabama Crimson Tide last weekend. And true to form, he used a fake kick in part to accomplish this task. Alabama looked lost on the fake kick...as though they weren't prepared for it. It seemed like Miles was dialing the perfect calls throughout the 4th quarter when the game was on the line and as though he was a step or two ahead of Saban. I think Miles did out-coach Saban. How could they not be ready for a fake punt considering LSU does it every week? Makes no sense. But what do you think? Was Nick Saban Out-Coached by Les Miles?
It seems most people give the nod to Alabama's head coach Nick Saban as better than LSU coach Les Miles. What do you think? Is Les Miles a better coach than Nick Saban?
Nick Saban just won his second BCS National Title as coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and has become the first coach to win three BCS National Titles having previously won one as head coach of the LSU Tigers in 2003. All three of his championship teams used the same formula: great recruiting classes, great defense, strong run game, and a quarterback that doesn't make mistakes. A great college football coach has to be good at coaching, game-planning, x's and o's, and recruiting. Saban is clearly brilliant at coaching as he has turned Alabama into an NFL warehouse. The recent BCS National Championship game exemplified his skill at game-planning as he caught LSU's defense by surprise by throwing the ball often on first down. He also had Bama's defense prepared for everything LSU did and they were able to hold them to only 92 yards of Total Offense and pitching the first shut out in BCS Title history. The fact he is great at game planning suggests he must be great at x's and o's. His top notch play-calling was also exemplified in the Title game. While Saban is definitely among the best in these three areas of college football coaching, what sets him apart is recruiting.Saban has proven he is one of the best, if not the best, recruiter in college football. Going into his sixth season at Alabama, he currently has the nation's #1 recruiting class. If he maintains this spot, it will make it his third #1 recruiting class since he has been head coach for the Tide and the fifth top five class. To win the SEC and BCS Title's, a coach absolutely must be able to recruit. As the saying goes, "you need your Jimmy's and Joe's to run your X's and O's to be successful," and Saban is definitely a tireless recruiter.
Former couple Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson recently announced their engagements. Nick's engaged to longtime girlfriend Vanessa Minnillo and Jessica's engaged to her boyfriend of five month Eric Johnson. Which wedding would you rather attend Nick's or Jessica's?
Posted by Jerry HinnenAnother Alabama Crimson Tide player is reportedly looking for a way out of Tuscaloosa.According to the Tuscaloosa News, defensive lineman Darrington Sentimore is "exploring transfer options" for reasons that currently "remain unclear" but could be related to a disciplinary issue. Though his ultimate destination still seems far from being made official, Sentimore is believed to be considering Miami, according to the News source.Sentimore's decision comes as something of a surprise given the expectations for his 2011 season. A redshirt sophomore out of Norco, La., Sentimore earned playing time in 11 games in 2010 for the Tide's stacked-as-usual defensive line, recording nine tackles and four quarterback hurries. He then enjoyed a productive spring, earning praise from Nick Saban and posting a QB hurry and half-tackle-for-loss in the Tide spring game. Though not apparently first-in-line to start this fall, Sentimore was expected to be an important part of the Tide's three-man defensive line rotation, with an eye toward challenging for that starting role in 2012.Assuming the report is accurate, though, that challenge will have to come on some other team's roster. Sentimore is now the sixth player to leave the Tide program since the end of the 2010 season, following in the footsteps of Brandon Moore, Corey Grant, Demetrius Goode, B.J. Scott and Petey Smith. Though it's debatable exactly how much impact Saban's habit of oversigning has on the flood of departures -- and Saban himself will be happy to debate you. Until his program stops its pattern of signing several players past the 85-scholarship limit and then spending a long summer suffering transfers, dismissals and medical scholarships, the topic likely isn't going away, new SEC legislation or not.
According to the Tuscaloosa News, defensive lineman Darrington Sentimore is "exploring transfer options" for reasons that currently "remain unclear" but could be related to a disciplinary issue. Though his ultimate destination still seems far from being made official, Sentimore is believed to be considering Miami, according to the News source.
Sentimore's decision comes as something of a surprise given the expectations for his 2011 season.
A redshirt sophomore out of Norco, La., Sentimore earned playing time in 11 games in 2010 for the Tide's stacked-as-usual defensive line, recording nine tackles and four quarterback hurries. He then enjoyed a productive spring, earning praise from Nick Saban and posting a QB hurry and half-tackle-for-loss in the Tide spring game.
Though not apparently first-in-line to start this fall, Sentimore was expected to be an important part of the Tide's three-man defensive line rotation, with an eye toward challenging for that starting role in 2012.
Assuming the report is accurate, though, that challenge will have to come on some other team's roster.
Sentimore is now the sixth player to leave the Tide program since the end of the 2010 season, following in the footsteps of Brandon Moore, Corey Grant, Demetrius Goode, B.J. Scott and Petey Smith.
Though it's debatable exactly how much impact Saban's habit of oversigning has on the flood of departures -- and Saban himself will be happy to debate you. Until his program stops its pattern of signing several players past the 85-scholarship limit and then spending a long summer suffering transfers, dismissals and medical scholarships, the topic likely isn't going away, new SEC legislation or not.
Oversigning is when a College Football Team signs more players on National Signing Day than they have room on their team to not violate the NCAA's 85/25 Rule. The 85/25 rule states that a football team may not have more than 85 student athletes on scholarship per academic year and they may only give, at most, 25 new scholarships per year. A school has until July 31st to have its scholarship numbers in compliance with the rule. The issue is what happens to those kids that find themselves "inconveniently" over the limit? They are essentially cut and no longer have a scholarship. If they transfer, they lose a year of eligibility. However, that is the only way for them to get a degree and continue playing in the FBS. Should the NCAA go in and stop the practice of oversigning and essentially cutting players done at the University at Alabama and many other programs?According to the article "Alabama's Numbers" on OverSigning.com:Saban implied that this year's class of 21 (now 22) new recruits and 2 grayshirt players that carry over from last year was all they were allowed to take. Further implying that they are currently full and that the 24 new additions now bring them to the 85 limit. He went on to say that there might be wiggle room to get 1 more guy.In breaking that down, he is saying that right now they are at 85 and the only way there would be room for future additions would be for future attrition. This means two things:We shouldn't see any attrition this year to free up space and get down to 85, and if we do see attrition and no new recruits are added, Alabama will operate below the 85 limit by the number of players that "create their own situation for leaving."If Alabama truly had room for 24 scholarship additions, where the hell did they come from? They had 14 seniors listed on their roster, 6 of which were listed as SQ for scout team. They had 3 Juniors leave for the NFL draft and they had 1 player announce he was going to transfer prior to signing day, BJ Scott. That is 12 scholarship players (8 seniors + 3 juniors to the NFL + 1 transfer). Saban said they were not at 85 total last year, so were they 12 under the 85? And if so, why the grayshirt announcements on the last day before the deadline.The math just doesn't add up and it's not even close."The issue is not the actual numbers the Crimson Tide is signing, but rather what happens to the kids that essentially get cut. According to Alabama's Numbers, Nick Saban uses the following tactics to "make the numbers work," so to speak:Greyshirts: student-athlete comes to the school but does not receive a scholarship and must pay for his enrollment. Joins the team and becomes a member of the following year's recruiting class.Medical Hardship Scholarship: due to "injury" a player is given this option which allows them to remain in school on scholarship but not count against the teams 85 scholarships. They do not play. It is essentially an academic scholarship for the player to finish his degree.Academically Ineligible: player loses scholarship because of gradesScholarship Not Renewed: team decides it does not want the player and does not renew the players scholarship. Essentially, the player is cut and no longer has his scholarship for his education or to play sports.Transfer: student transfers to another school. If the student transfers to another FBS team, then he loses one year of his four year eligibility. Sign and Place: sign a kid that does not qualify and place him into a junior college and resign him later. As can be seen, Alabama and Nick Saban used all of the tactics discussed above to squeeze in this year's top recruits. Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide are not the only teams guilty for this. It is an epidemic in the SEC. The SEC instituted the Nutt Rule because of Ole Miss Head Coach, Houston Nutt, signed 37 recruits in 2009. He basically signed a bunch of kids that couldn't qualify and placed them in Junior College. The Nutt Rule limits SEC teams to only signing 28 players, with 25 being allowed to enroll. While the SEC and teams like Alabama are the most flagrant, teams from other other conferences are doing it as well. There is a trend occurring and as long as teams are allowed to continue to oversign, it will likely continue to spread to other and more schools.So should the NCAA step in? For them to do this they would have to stiffen the rules to not allow the loopholes being used by many teams. Then, they would actually have to enforce it with tough sanctions for violating the rule. Teams shouldn't be punished for past violations, but the NCAA should put in rules now that prohibit this from occurring in the future.
Saban implied that this year's class of 21 (now 22) new recruits and 2 grayshirt players that carry over from last year was all they were allowed to take. Further implying that they are currently full and that the 24 new additions now bring them to the 85 limit. He went on to say that there might be wiggle room to get 1 more guy.In breaking that down, he is saying that right now they are at 85 and the only way there would be room for future additions would be for future attrition. This means two things:We shouldn't see any attrition this year to free up space and get down to 85, and if we do see attrition and no new recruits are added, Alabama will operate below the 85 limit by the number of players that "create their own situation for leaving."If Alabama truly had room for 24 scholarship additions, where the hell did they come from? They had 14 seniors listed on their roster, 6 of which were listed as SQ for scout team. They had 3 Juniors leave for the NFL draft and they had 1 player announce he was going to transfer prior to signing day, BJ Scott. That is 12 scholarship players (8 seniors + 3 juniors to the NFL + 1 transfer). Saban said they were not at 85 total last year, so were they 12 under the 85? And if so, why the grayshirt announcements on the last day before the deadline.The math just doesn't add up and it's not even close."
Vanessa Minnillo is getting married to Nick Lachey. Nick's ex-wife Jessica Simpson is getting married to Eric Johnson. Which engagement ring do you like best?
There have been whispers that JR DT Nick Fairley could leave for the NFL. My greedy side wants him to stay, but I also understand if he leaves. He's been the anchor on the DL this year for the Tigers causing havoc in nearly every game. If you were Fairly, would you go to the NFL or would you stay for your senior year? Statistics: 4 solo sacks and 2 assists; 10 tackles for a loss and 3 assists; 12 QB Hurries; 1 interception; 1 fumble recovery
Mel Kiper says Nick Fairley will be the first player drafted in the 2011 NFL Draft. The Defensive Tackle recorded 11 1/2 sacks and 24 tackles for a loss this year for the National Champion Auburn Tigers.In many games, he seemed unblockable, destroying offensive lines and taking over games. Some say he is as quick as Warren Sapp when coming off of the line. The Carolina Panthers has struggled the last few years and definitely need an impact player. Will they pick Nick Fairley?
For many of the American Idol contestants, Hollywood is no place like home, but for these 327 singers there’s nothing like Hollywood week. This week they trade in their golden tickets for one chance on stage. It is a time of testing dreams. It’s a make it or break it week. Ryan Seacrest stated, “Even though we made a lot of changes this season one thing remains the same - the pressure of Hollywood week.”Chris Medina the 23 year old barista and caregiver from Illinois put it well, “This is were it all can change or it can all stay the same. And I don’t want it to stay the same.” He moved onto the next level and his dream stays alive for right now. Tension was in the air. There was nervous excitement and emotional departures. But no departure was more dramatic than Nick Fink’s. He auditioned with his girlfriend Jacqueline Dunford in Austin. In one of the past episodes, American Idol producers did a segment about them featuring their love for each other. Jacqueline said she and Nick would become American Idol's first power couple. Tonight they came out on stage together with eight other contestants during the second go round. Afterward Nick was placed in the front row and Jacqueline in the back. Steven Tyler told the back row they were able to move forward in the competition. Jacqueline looked thrilled but Nick was devastated. Nick begged for another chance and when he was refused he sang to the judges from the aisle hoping to they would change their minds about him. Do you think Nick Fink went too far?
Last December, Urban Meyer resigned from Florida, this time for good, the victim of apparent burnout.On Memorial Day, the Ohio State scandal finally pierced Jim Tressel. He was forced to resign.All national championship coaches. All seemingly made men. Yet uneasy lie the heads who have worn the crown.“I think the business of college sports has been tough for a long time,” said Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione.Joe C. is lucky. No, not lucky. Castiglione made his own luck. He hired Bob Stoops in December 1998. Castiglione still has his football coach. Still has his national-title winning coach.Only six coaches remain at schools where they have won titles: Stoops, Texas' Mack Brown, Penn State's ageless Joe Paterno and three Southeastern Conference coaches who have won in the last four years: Auburn's Gene Chizik, Alabama's Nick Saban and LSU's Les Miles.Only seven current major-college coaches were hired for their post in the 1900s: Stoops, Brown, Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (1999), Fresno State's Pat Hill (1997), Troy's Larry Blakeney (1991), Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer (1987) and Paterno (1966).College football coaching provides power, fame and untold riches. It also will spit you up and chew you out.“I don't know what to say about that,” Stoops said when asked about the demise of some of his championship colleagues. “Other than I think it's fair to say, how difficult it is to manage everything that comes our way.“To manage it the right way, to manage it successfully, to manage it whatever way you want to put it.”Coaches have to win at a high level, or they're out the door, as elite coaches like Phil Fulmer, Larry Coker and Tommy Tuberville learned. Plus, coaches must stay one step ahead of scandal that can descend like locusts. Cast out the plague quickly, or at least don't cover it up. Such failures eventually cost Carroll and Tressel.“It's just become more and more challenging,” Castiglione said. “The idea that this is a tough business is correct. Becoming more difficult all the time. It's a challenge for all involved. It's really tough right now.”More parity among teams. More scrutiny, with the Internet and social networking providing a labyrinth of information that can derail a program. More outside influences as the money associated with college and pro football grows and grows.“It's hard,” Stoops said of running a program. “And there are a lot of obstacles in your way to have success, to manage it appropriately, to keep it going.”Stoops has kept it going. Seven Big 12 championships in 12 years. One NCAA rules skirmish, which was dealt with promptly (Rhett Bomar) and looking back was but a blip on Sooner radar.Stoops stands now with Saban as college football's most successful coaches. Two years ago, they comprised a top five along with Tressel, Meyer and Carroll.Now only Stoops and Saban are left.“Any individual, each may have their own story, their own approach that leads to longevity,” Castiglione said. “I can't think of anybody I know gets caught up in assuming too much. As much as trying to have longevity, doing the right thing, we know we're in a very volatile business.”Nothing is assured this side of Penn State's Happy Valley. Slumps and scandal can come. Coaches grow restless. Fan bases do the same. Breaking up is hard to do but not impossible.No assurances that Stoops will be at the Sooner helm another dozen years. But he's there now, standing atop his profession.Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at (405) 760-8080 or at btramel@opubco.com. He can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can also view his personality page at newsok.com/berrytramel.
Last December, Urban Meyer resigned from Florida, this time for good, the victim of apparent burnout.
On Memorial Day, the Ohio State scandal finally pierced Jim Tressel. He was forced to resign.
All national championship coaches. All seemingly made men. Yet uneasy lie the heads who have worn the crown.
“I think the business of college sports has been tough for a long time,” said Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione.
Joe C. is lucky. No, not lucky. Castiglione made his own luck. He hired Bob Stoops in December 1998. Castiglione still has his football coach. Still has his national-title winning coach.
Only six coaches remain at schools where they have won titles: Stoops, Texas' Mack Brown, Penn State's ageless Joe Paterno and three Southeastern Conference coaches who have won in the last four years: Auburn's Gene Chizik, Alabama's Nick Saban and LSU's Les Miles.
Only seven current major-college coaches were hired for their post in the 1900s: Stoops, Brown, Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (1999), Fresno State's Pat Hill (1997), Troy's Larry Blakeney (1991), Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer (1987) and Paterno (1966).
College football coaching provides power, fame and untold riches. It also will spit you up and chew you out.
“I don't know what to say about that,” Stoops said when asked about the demise of some of his championship colleagues. “Other than I think it's fair to say, how difficult it is to manage everything that comes our way.
“To manage it the right way, to manage it successfully, to manage it whatever way you want to put it.”
Coaches have to win at a high level, or they're out the door, as elite coaches like Phil Fulmer, Larry Coker and Tommy Tuberville learned. Plus, coaches must stay one step ahead of scandal that can descend like locusts. Cast out the plague quickly, or at least don't cover it up. Such failures eventually cost Carroll and Tressel.
“It's just become more and more challenging,” Castiglione said. “The idea that this is a tough business is correct. Becoming more difficult all the time. It's a challenge for all involved. It's really tough right now.”
More parity among teams. More scrutiny, with the Internet and social networking providing a labyrinth of information that can derail a program. More outside influences as the money associated with college and pro football grows and grows.
“It's hard,” Stoops said of running a program. “And there are a lot of obstacles in your way to have success, to manage it appropriately, to keep it going.”
Stoops has kept it going. Seven Big 12 championships in 12 years. One NCAA rules skirmish, which was dealt with promptly (Rhett Bomar) and looking back was but a blip on Sooner radar.
Stoops stands now with Saban as college football's most successful coaches. Two years ago, they comprised a top five along with Tressel, Meyer and Carroll.
Now only Stoops and Saban are left.
“Any individual, each may have their own story, their own approach that leads to longevity,” Castiglione said. “I can't think of anybody I know gets caught up in assuming too much. As much as trying to have longevity, doing the right thing, we know we're in a very volatile business.”
Nothing is assured this side of Penn State's Happy Valley. Slumps and scandal can come. Coaches grow restless. Fan bases do the same. Breaking up is hard to do but not impossible.
No assurances that Stoops will be at the Sooner helm another dozen years. But he's there now, standing atop his profession.
Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at (405) 760-8080 or at btramel@opubco.com. He can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can also view his personality page at newsok.com/berrytramel.
2010: Gene Chizik, Auburn: still at Auburn2009: Nick Saban, Alabama: still at Alabama2008: Urban Meyer, Florida: resigned 2010, working for ESPN2007: Les Miles, LSU: still at LSU2006: Urban Meyer, Florida: resigned 20102005: Mack Brown, Texas: Still at Texas2004: Pete Carroll, Southern Cal: resigned 2010, coaching NFL's Seahawks2003: Nick Saban, LSU: resigned 2004, coaching Alabama2002: Jim Tressel, Ohio State: resigned 20112001: Larry Coker, Miami: fired 2006, coaching Texas-San Antonio2000: Bob Stoops, Oklahoma: still coaching Oklahoma1999: Bobby Bowden, Florida State: retired 20101998: Phil Fulmer, Tennessee: fired 2008, now a CBS analyst1997: Tom Osborne, Nebraska: retired 1998, now NU's athletic director1997, Lloyd Carr, Michigan: resigned 2008, now in Michigan athletic administration1996: Steve Spurrier, Florida: resigned 2002, now coaching South Carolina1995: Tom Osborne, Nebraska:1994: Tom Osborne, Nebraska:1993: Bobby Bowden, Florida State:1992: Gene Stallings, Alabama: resigned 1996, now retired1991: Dennis Erickson, Miami: resigned 1995, now coaching Arizona State1990: Bobby Ross, Georgia Tech: resigned 1992, now retired1990: Bill McCartney, Colorado: resigned 1994, now CEO of Promise Keepers men's organization1989: Dennis Erickson, Miami: 1988: Lou Holtz, Notre Dame: resigned 1997, now ESPN analyst1987: Jimmy Johnson, Miami: resigned 1989, now Fox Sports analyst1986: Joe Paterno, Penn State: still at Penn State1985: Barry Switzer, Oklahoma: fired 1989, now retired1984: Lavell Edwards, Brigham Young: resigned 2000, now retired1983: Howard Schnellenberger, Miami: Resigned 1984, now coaching Florida Atlantic1982: Joe Paterno, Penn State1981: Danny Ford, Clemson: resigned 1990, now retired
2010: Gene Chizik, Auburn: still at Auburn
2009: Nick Saban, Alabama: still at Alabama
2008: Urban Meyer, Florida: resigned 2010, working for ESPN
2007: Les Miles, LSU: still at LSU
2006: Urban Meyer, Florida: resigned 2010
2005: Mack Brown, Texas: Still at Texas
2004: Pete Carroll, Southern Cal: resigned 2010, coaching NFL's Seahawks
2003: Nick Saban, LSU: resigned 2004, coaching Alabama
2002: Jim Tressel, Ohio State: resigned 2011
2001: Larry Coker, Miami: fired 2006, coaching Texas-San Antonio
2000: Bob Stoops, Oklahoma: still coaching Oklahoma
1999: Bobby Bowden, Florida State: retired 2010
1998: Phil Fulmer, Tennessee: fired 2008, now a CBS analyst
1997: Tom Osborne, Nebraska: retired 1998, now NU's athletic director
1997, Lloyd Carr, Michigan: resigned 2008, now in Michigan athletic administration
1996: Steve Spurrier, Florida: resigned 2002, now coaching South Carolina
1995: Tom Osborne, Nebraska:
1994: Tom Osborne, Nebraska:
1993: Bobby Bowden, Florida State:
1992: Gene Stallings, Alabama: resigned 1996, now retired
1991: Dennis Erickson, Miami: resigned 1995, now coaching Arizona State
1990: Bobby Ross, Georgia Tech: resigned 1992, now retired
1990: Bill McCartney, Colorado: resigned 1994, now CEO of Promise Keepers men's organization
1989: Dennis Erickson, Miami:
1988: Lou Holtz, Notre Dame: resigned 1997, now ESPN analyst
1987: Jimmy Johnson, Miami: resigned 1989, now Fox Sports analyst
1986: Joe Paterno, Penn State: still at Penn State
1985: Barry Switzer, Oklahoma: fired 1989, now retired
1984: Lavell Edwards, Brigham Young: resigned 2000, now retired
1983: Howard Schnellenberger, Miami: Resigned 1984, now coaching Florida Atlantic
1982: Joe Paterno, Penn State
1981: Danny Ford, Clemson: resigned 1990, now retired
The 2011 BCS National Championship Game between Alabama Crimson Tide and the LSU Tigers was the most boring title game I have ever watched. It was completely one-sided with Alabama dominating LSU 21-0. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of defensive slugfests and thoroughly enjoyed the first LSU vs Alabama game in Tuscaloosa. This game, however, was not comparable to the first match. The Tide dominated LSU in every aspect of the game...offense, defense, and special teams. They held LSU to only 92 total yards of offense while racking up 384 of their own. It wasn't, however, just a matter of Alabama's defense dominating the game, but also LSU's offense played horrible. Jordan Jefferson fumbled several snaps and missed open wide receivers. The offensive line could not block and create passing lanes for him to find his receivers. Alabama's AJ McCarron played an outstanding game throwing the ball through tight windows to receivers covered by LSU DB's. In particular, he picked on Tyrann Mathieu, "The Honey Badger," and took advantage of his size by throwing the ball out of his reach to taller receivers. Though he did not have any touchdown passes, McCarron did complete 23 or 34 passes (67.6 CMP%) for 234 yards and a long of 26. The only bright spot in LSU's play was that its defense only gave the Tide one touchdown. Bama, once again, was forced to rely on its field goal unit, but this time Jeremy Shelley, the goat from the first game, set a BCS Title game record by making five field goals. In the regular season, if you recall, he missed four field goals allowing LSU to beat Bama in Tuscaloosa. In the game that mattered the most, Shelley was able to redeem himself.Besides blocking one of Shelley's field goals, LSU's special teams were also overwhelmed by Bama. Marquis Maze got the Tide rolling in the first quarter with a 49 yard punt return leading to the first field goal of the game. Though Maze was injured on the play, Bama's punt return and coverage teams were still able to provide them with good field position all game. LSU's punt coverage also assisted the Tide by roughing the punt returner at the ten yard line after he called a fair catch. Instead of giving Alabama the ball at the 10, they gave it to them at the 25. LSU's punter actually kicked pretty well. However, their return game with Mathieu was completely shut down.Coach Nick Saban also out-coached Coach Les Miles. His team was fully prepared for everything LSU's offense and defense tried to do. Miles tried to get the option game going, which was successful the first time around, but Alabama was ready for it and Miles seemed to refuse to go away from it even though it was clearly not working. It didn't seem as though Miles made half time adjustments. They came out and threw the ball down the field twice, which was different than the first half, but then went back to the same basic offense using option, WR screens, and running the HB on dives or off tackle. It was truly a very bland offense and was similar to the one they ran against the Tide in game one. Though Jefferson was clearly struggling, Miles kept him in and chose not to use Jarrett Lee. In my opinion, this was a mistake because Lee has started and played many games this season and may have been able to provide a spark.Saban's offense, on the other hand, came out throwing the football down the field, something they did not do in the first match up. It seemed to catch LSU by surprise. The Tigers were stacking the box and playing man on the Bama's WR's. Saban purposely picked on Mathieu by using tall receivers to go over top of the 5'8" DB. Mathieu may have been a game changer in LSU's games against West Virginia Mountaineers, Arkansas Razorbacks, Oregon Ducks, and Georgia Bulldogs, however, he was not attacked the way Saban targeted him in this game. He usually covers slot receivers that are similar in height. In this game, Saban lined up tall receivers and tight ends in the slot, which Mathieu defend against high, jump balls.Alabama's defense was definitely the highlight of the game, however, LSU's offense assisted them by playing terribly. The Tigers offense committed numerous penalties and missed many opportunities by Jefferson's inability to execute properly. He missed several wide open WR's, throwing the ball in the grass and nowhere near them on multiple occasions. His biggest mistake came when he attempted a shovel pass after his receiver had turned to block for him. The pass was picked off and led to points, and pretty much ended any hopes LSU had of coming back.Had LSU played good and this was a good, defensive game, then I would have loved it. However, LSU played awful, and it wasn't merely due to Bama's dominance. They simply didn't execute, and it was the combo of bad offensive play by LSU and great defensive play by Bama. It was also a combo of poor LSU pass defense and McCarron executing to perfection which allowed Bama to drive down the field on almost every possession.Simply put, I think LSU played awful! This game was disappointing. LSU could have possibly finished the greatest single season in college football with a win, but instead they came out flat, unprepared, and were embarrassed. It is the first time a team was completely shut out in the title game, and there is no excuse for that.What do you think...Was this the worst BCS National Championship Game in History
While Oregon's LaMichael James, winner of the Doak Walker Award, and Auburn's Cameron Newton, winner of the Heisman Trophy, are the faces of their programs, I don't believe how they each play will determine the outcome of the 2011 BCS National Championship Game. Both James and Newton are too good of players to be completely shut down all game. They may be slowed down for a part of the game, but eventually they are going to get their stats.Instead, I believe this game will be decided on whether the Oregon Offensive Line can keep Auburn's DT Nick Fairley from annihilating their QB Darron Thomas. The Ducks have not faced a player on the same level as Fairley. He is a true game changer and has the ability to completely take over a game by dominating an offensive line. Cam Newton's 49 yard TD run against LSU is usually the play people discuss from that game. It is widely considered Cam Newton's "Heisman Moment" and that game is when the Heisman had become his to lose. He had 217 yards rushing with TD's in the win over the Tigers from Baton Rouge. However, Cam Newton was not the player of the game. Instead, Nick Fairley was player of the game against LSU (see highlights below). He finished with 2 and 1/2 sacks and 3 1/2 tackles for loss. As the highlights show he single handedly put an end to LSU drives.Two other highlight videos of Fairley in big SEC games against UGA and Alabama are also attached. Again, in both games his play was key in the Tigers win. If he is able to do this to Oregon's Line it is going to be a long day for their offense. However, Oregon's line has experience and like Nick Fairley, they have dominated games. The unit is ranked 5th in the nation for sacks allowed giving up less than 1 game (.67 to be exact) so Thomas has not been on his back a lot this season.Will the offensive line prevail or Will Nick Fairley dominate the game?
Todd McShay and Mel Kiper, two of the leading guru's for the NFL Draft, disagree on which of the two is the better defensive lineman. McShay thinks the Defensive End from the Clemson Tigers, Da'Quan Bowers, is the best of the two. Kiper disagrees and believe the Defensive Tackle from the Auburn Tigers, Nick Fairley, is the better of the two.Who do you agree with, Kiper or McShay? Who is the better defensive lineman?
Larry King
March Madness
Natasha Fame Leslie
Ryan Seacrest
Sanu Dellafiore
John Armstrong
Fred Hanna
Georgia Hester
