Monster Weekend Part I

We are in the midst of a monster football Saturday. Here are some of the early story lines.

Let me get my LSU rant out first, because it will cloud my mind otherwise. I am getting sick and tired of watching LSU's anemic offense week in and week out. It is pathetic. From their first series of the game against Auburn, LSU's offense was atrocious. Not only was Gary Crowton's play calling awful, the execution at the quarterback position was lamentable. I am still wondering why Les Miles refuses to start Jarrett Lee. LSU-hater, Gary Danielson, pointed out an interesting stat before the game today: "Jordan Jefferson threw 2 touchdowns in the season opener against North Carolina. Since then Jefferson had failed to throw a touchdown in 17 straight possessions." I think this in itself is enough to name Lee the starter. Who cares if Jarrett Lee can't run (as was evident during LSU's last offensive play). He wasn't recruited to do it, and therefore, shouldn't be expected to do so. Gary Crowton's offensive play calling is as questionable as Lindsay Lohan's sobriety. When Jarrett Lee, notorious gun slinger, is under center, Crowton continues to call short, conservative passes (some of which do not even get past the line of scrimmage). Why do you not challenge down field, Gary Crowton? Auburn's defense is about as solid as a wet paper bag trying to stop a freight train! They gave up over 400 yards of total offense to Arkansas in their last game, and Ryan Mallet found success by throwing bombs down field.

And the defense.....

John Chavis, defensive mastermind at Tennessee, was hired to employ to rock'em sock'em defensive schemes that made the Vols so successful for nearly a decade, and they gave up over 400 yards of rushing! That is more that LSU's entire offensive effort. Did they not study film that showed Cam Newton's success against the blitz. Today, it seemed like Newton and the rest of the Auburn offense knew what was coming before Chavis even called the play. Newton ran on the LSU defense (217 yards) at will and when he was tired, he would hand it off to Michael Dyer, who rushed for 100 as well. Every time Chavis called the blitz, Newton, Dyer and the Auburn offense torched the Tigers (LSU).

Sure, Jordan Jefferson is not entirely to blame for this loss, and neither is Jarrett Lee or Les Miles. The coordinators are at fault. I will give John Chavis a pass this week, but Gary Crowton exemplifies how not to run an offense. Just despicable.

Moving on...

Texas lost....again. This time to a team that should not even be considered a D-I school. Iowa State rode into Austin and smacked the 'Horns in the mouth. At least they did in the first half. Iowa State proved how overrated Texas is this year, and exposed a once vaunted Longhorn run-defense. The Cyclones went off for 199 yards and two scores on the ground. Compare that to a miserable effort by Texas (96 yrds, 0 TD). The only semi-bright spot for Texas today was the play of Garrett Gilbert. The 'Horns QB fling the ball around 57 times, completing 34 of them for 344 yards and 2 touchdowns, but three interceptions doomed the offense, and opened the door for Iowa State's most prolific win in recent memory.

It is hard to bash the Longhorns for their play this season. I mean, they did beat Nebraska, right? We all know Texas will get to a bowl game, and Mack Brown will still be the highest paid coach in college football at the end of the season, but this young team shows promise, and lots of it. This season might be a wash, but don't be surprised if they find themselves in the Top-10 at the start of next season.

How 'bout them boys from Syracuse? I think this was one of the most unusual wins for any team this season (next to the what-would-be play clock debacle in the closing seconds of the LSU/Tennessee game). Orange quarterback, Ryan Nassib, went 5/15 for 55 yards and one touchdown. This seemed like a classic case of all-or-nothing. The Orange running game was the news maker. They erupted for 183 yards, but zero scores. You read that right. NO SCORES! The kicking game was the savior for Syracuse this week. Kicker Ross Krautman went 4/4 in FG and made his only extra point attempt for a total of 13 points.
WVU running back Noel Devine (pre-season Heisman hopeful) got back on track today against ‘Cuse. Going 122 yards on 24 attempts, but is still struggling to find the endzone.
Good thing LSU doesn’t play again today.
More to come tonight…
WHO DAT
-Kenny “Mo”