Game of the Century Jr.

Some things that remain constant in life no matter what: death, taxes and the SEC dominating college football.  For the first time in history the SEC has the top three teams ranked in the BCS with LSU ranked #1, Alabama ranked #2, and Arkansas ranked #3.  Something more astounding is that these three teams do not just play in the SEC but all play in the SEC West which has 6 teams along with the SEC East that has 6 teams also.  This means that LSU, Alabama and Arkansas all must play each other in the regular season and only one can advance to play the SEC East champion (Georgia) in next week's SEC Championship game.

On November 5 #1 LSU defeated #2 Alabama 9-6 in which experts proclaimed that is was "The Game of the Century".  Now this Friday #1 LSU hosts #3 Arkansas in which is being proclaimed as "The Game of the Century Jr.".  LSU is undefeated and Arkansas' only loss came to Alabama.  This game is so critical because of the fact that if LSU wins they clinch the SEC West and will play Georgia next week.  If Arkansas wins, quite frankly, there will be chaos.  Each of these powers will have 1 lose that came from each other and there will be a three way tie.  It will come down to how the computers rate each team to see who will play Georgia and be the frontrunner to win the National Championship.  Who wants a stupid playoff, computers with no eyeballs deciding who should play for the biggest game of the year is spot on!  What an awesome system!

College football took an unexpected turn last week that contributed to this chaos.  #2 Oklahoma State, #4 Oregon and #5 Oklahoma were all upset and only Oklahoma State now has a legitimate chance at being in the Championship Game.  This has allowed a once beaten Alabama and Arkansas right back in the National Championship game picture.  If Arkansas can upset LSU on Friday there will be even more confusion.  Right now it looks as if there is a great possibility of two of the SEC powers having a rematch in the National Championship.  Which one will be left out is the great question.

Now for the game this Friday, I expect an offensive explosion with Arkansas' offense being arguably the best in the country.  LSU counters with their outstanding defense that has future pros littered at basically every defense position.  I feel that the difference will be Arkansas' underrated defense (ranked #13 in the country) and the fact that they have beaten LSU three out of the four times they have played with LSU's lone win coming on an Arkansas missed field goal in overtime.  My prediction is for a 34-31 Arkansas upset causing even more BCS chaos in figuring out who to the two best teams are.  Either way football fans enjoy Thanksgiving with pro football and Friday’s affair at 2:30 in Baton Rouge for the Game of the Century Jr.!!

Undefeated Season?



Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers



What is this 2007? LSU is Number 1 in the country and an NFL team is attempting to run the table and do arguably the hardest thing in sports, complete a perfect season.  In 2007 the New England Patriots finished the regular season 16-0 but could not finish the job losing the Super Bowl to the New York Giants and finishing 18-1.  This year the Green Bay Packers are attempting to do what the Patriots could not do, finish up the perfect 19-0.

This year’s Green Bay Packers are currently 10-0 and led by the MVP frontrunner Aaron Rodgers.  They have the best offense and special teams in football and are making the current season look way too easy as they attempt to repeat their championship.  To put an undefeated season in perspective and state how hard it is to do it should be known that only one other team has ever done it in history.  That would be the 1972 Miami Dolphins.  It should also be noted that they only went 17-0 because at the time there were 14 regular season games instead of the 16 the Packers have to play now.  That would make the Packers undefeated season even more impressive than the Dolphins' perfect season.

Now for the million dollar question, will they accomplish the goal?  Unfortunately, I have to say no.  The Packers still have road games at Detroit. New York and Kansas City as well as a huge rivalry game with Chicago on Christmas.  Also if the Packers get to say 14-0 and look up their division then they will probably rest starters the last two games to avoid any injuries before the playoffs.  It would be tough to win two games against any teams paying just backups.

Even if they did get to 16-0 they would have to win 3 playoff games against the best of the best.  In my opinion if New Orleans, Atlanta, New York, New England, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Houston and even San Diego play there A game they could knock off the Packers in the Playoffs or Super Bowl.  The greatest cause for concern is the defense though.  They are really struggling and are definitely the Achilles heel of the team.  Their pass defense is ranked 32 worst out of 32 teams and could send them packing in the playoffs.  I would say they have about a 5% of finishing up 19-0 but that’s why they play the games!

Living Up to the Hype!

Eric Reid after making his game saving play.

Well "The Game of the Century" has come and the football world has seen an all-time classic.  LSU defeated Alabama 9-6 in overtime Saturday Night in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  A 9-6 game does not seem like a thrilling contest but it had everything you need in a football game.  Two unbelievable programs, coaches and defenses led the way the whole night.  There was not even a touchdown scored in this game but there is no way anyone could watch it would say they were bored.

Let’s start with the defenses.  These teams absolutely proved they had the two best defenses in the country.  Alabama intercepted LSU quarterback Jarret Lee 2 times which is more than he had the entire season previously.  LSU also forced two interceptions and held Alabama to just 6 points.  They also held the best running back in the country, Trent Richardson to 83 yards rushing on 21 carries.  That is impressive.

The reason LSU won was because of special teams (as accurately predicted by me in my previous blog post) and the big plays on defense.  Alabama missed four field goals including one which was blocked and LSU punter Brad Wing booted a 73 yard punt which turned the field position in LSU's favor.  Trailing 6-3 late in the third quarter with Alabama having the momentum Morris Claiborne intercepted an AJ McCarron pass and returned it to the Alabama 20 which set up the game tying field goal.  This gave LSU a chance heading to the 4th quarter.

With Alabama on the LSU 25 and seemly about the score the game winning score and clinch the victory Eric Reid made the greatest defensive play I have ever seen.  Marquis Maze on a wide receiver throw had his tight end Michael Williams wide open near the end zone.  It looked like a touchdown until safety Eric Reid came out of nowhere to rip the ball away for the interception on the one yard line.  This kept Bama off the score board and sent the game into overtime.

Drew Alleman celebrating the Tigers 9-6 victory after he kicked the game winning field goal in overtime

At 6-6 in overtime Alabama missed a 52 yard field goal giving LSU the football.  LSU drove the field to the Bama 7 before kicking the game winning field to pull off the win 9-6.  There were so many amazing plays made in this contest that even though there was a low score it still was an incredible game.  LSU will remain number 1 in the country and control their destiny for the National Championship Game.  There is talk for a rematch between these two teams in the game but Alabama would need help for that to happen.  There is no question LSU deserves the Championship now by beating the #2 team and their archrival on the road.  So as they say in the Bayou meaning Go Tigers in Cajun, Geaux Tigers!!!

Game of the Year!

Are you kidding me America?  How sweet is this? On Saturday is the proclaimed "game of the century".  When you think about the great sports rivalries you think LSU-Alabama college football, Duke-North Carolina college basketball, Yankees-Red Sox baseball and Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal in tennis.  Well this Saturday LSU and Alabama square off in the Super Bowl of college football.  8-0 undefeated LSU travels to 8-0 undefeated Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  LSU is ranked number 1 in the nation and right behind them sits number 2 Alabama.  The winner of this great rivalry will be the overwhelming favorite to win the National Championship; do you now understand why it’s now called the game of the century??

This rivalry is so interesting because mainly because of the fans and the coaches.  These fans absolutely despise each other.  These states only separated by Mississippi have the most passionate fans in the nation and can't wait to get at each other, not on the playing field, but probably in the stands.  Nick Saban was LSU's coach from 1999-2004.  In 2003 he led LSU to the national championship making them the elite program in college football.  After the 2004 season he bolted for the NFL to coach the Miami Dolphins.

Enter Les Miles, the present coach at LSU.  From 2005-2011 Miles has become the winningest coach in LSU history and won them the 2007 National Championship.  He is beloved in the bayou and made tiger fans forgot about Saban.  However, at the beginning of the 2007 Saban returned to college football to coach any time he wanted.  So where do you think he went?  You guessed it, Alabama.  Saban (also known as Satan to diehard LSU fans for pulling a Benedict Arnold on them) turned the Alabama program around and won the 2009 national championship.  Saban has put Alabama's program right on par with Miles' program at LSU.

From 2007-2010 when Miles and Saban have coached against each other the teams have provided 4 amazing games.  LSU won 41-34 in 2007 at Alabama which catapulted them to the National Championship.  In 2008 Saban made his return to Tiger Stadium and defeated the Tigers in overtime.  In 2009 Saban again defeated Miles which led Alabama to the National Championship that year.  Finally, last year's epic battle in Baton Rouge was won 24-21 by LSU after Miles gambled on a fourth down where he called a reverse that led to the game winning score.  Look how even these teams are: 2-2 in the past four games, each teaming winning at home and away and each teaming winning one national title.

So for my prediction on this year’s game?  Both of these teams have unbelievably defenses and above average offenses.  Alabama is at home and has the best player on the field in running back Trent Richardson.  However, I feel that LSU has superior depth on both offense and defense, has two senior quarterbacks who both get action and the biggest advantage over Alabama, their special teams.  I am going to go with LSU 20-17 to win the game of the century on the road.  Either way football fans this game is going to be amazing.  There is so much future NFL talent on the field it is scary.  I will be like a kid in a candy story Saturday night watching the "Game of the Century"!!!