Dougherty’s Diatribe 10/11/2007
What a weekend down on the bayou as LSU hands Florida its second straight loss 28-24. The Gators appeared to control the momentum of this slugfest between SEC titans for most of the night but the Tigers remain undefeated as the undoubted number one ranked team in America behind the aggressive decision making of Coach Les Myles.
Only one SEC team has converted more fourth downs this season than LSU did against Florida. Vandy has eight conversions on the year. Les Myles’ team was successful on five out of five attempts against Florida.
The key sequence occurred as the home team trailed 24-21 with just over nine minutes to go. Les Myles apparently decided at this point that his team’s drive would end with a touchdown or nothing. LSU first went for a fourth and one situation at its own 49-yard line. The give went to Jacob Hester, a bulldog of a running back with extreme desire. Two yards later LSU had new life and more plays.
The next moment of truth came at the Florida’s seven yard line. Another fourth down situation, but this one presenting a chance for the Tigers to tie the game with a chip shot 24-yard field goal attempt. The decision was clear. Go for it again, give it to Jacob Hester and then figure out a way to get the ball into the end-zone and win the game. Les Myles did not back down and never flinched. Hester got the ball and converted giving LSU a first and goal situation on the Florida five yard line. Fittingly it was Hester who found pay dirt enabling his team to remain unbeaten and still ranked number one in America.
With as much pressure that can come in a regular season college football game, LSU Coach Les Myles never backed down. This was the story of a Coach and a team that may have decided its path towards greatness and its lasting legacy on a steamy October night. As coaches all over the country play not to lose, it is refreshing to watch a Coach and a team play to win.
LSU will be tested at Kentucky, but the Tigers will prevail: 37-30
Two Teams Control Their Own Eastern Destiny:
Tennessee was under extreme pressure as a program as Georgia came to Knoxville looking for its fourth straight win in Knoxville. The Vols played with passion and emotion not seen since the last time this program played under extreme pressure as a program. Tennessee beat Cal that day in a bizarrely similar manner with which they took apart Georgia on Saturday.
It has become apparent how Tennessee plays when backed into a corner. The question is; does this team still feel as if its back is against the wall or are they feeling good about themselves following the total destruction of Georgia?
Tennessee now controls its own SEC East destiny with road trips next at Mississippi St. and Alabama. South Carolina, Arkansas and Vanderbilt all come to Neyland Stadium. There is a road trip finale to Kentucky. Win out, and the Vols play in Atlanta for the fifth time in eleven years.
Of course, South Carolina has its SEC fate in its own hands as well. The Gamecocks have league games remaining with Vanderbilt at home followed by road trips to Tennessee and Arkansas. They wrap things up in the conference at home with Florida.
Prediction: Look for Tennessee to lose at least one game along the way with the Gators beating South Carolina, earning a trip to Atlanta for a re-match with LSU for the SEC Title. It has been a crazy year and the stretch run likely promises more of the same. So, you never know how this thing will play out.
Picks:
Tennessee 34
Mississippi St. 24
Georgia 27
Vanderbilt 24
Alabama 24
Ole Miss 20
Auburn 30
Arkansas 17
South Carolina 30
North Carolina 13
Thanks for reading and for the e-mails. Again, you can e-mail me directly at brentd@wlac.com. Please be sure to check out our sports discussion show. Prime Time Sports airs out of Nashville, TN every weekday evening from 5-8pm. Our web-page can be found at wlac.com keyword PTS.
Thanks again, Brent Dougherty