There's no Use in Sulking over Louisiana Football

Jeff Brown
Pi Kappa Phi

Thus far, 2012 has been nothing short of abysmal for Tiger fans. And for most of y’all, the Saints loss hurts too. However, where the Saints loss was one of the best NFL games in recent memory, LSU flat out got destroyed. Embarrassed. Outplayed. Walking out of the Superdome that day was one of the worst feelings of my life.

I watched a defense play their hearts out, only to see the complementing offense fall flat on its face, becoming so impotent that crossing midfield was only achieved in garbage time. The Tiger faithful gradually deflated, barely making a noise, and those who were hollering were demanding that Jarrett Lee make an appearance or cursing Jordan Jefferson. Or both. Rumors were rampant the days following as to why the quarterback who had led us to eight straight wins didn’t play a single snap; locker room rifts, a stubborn coach, an array of outrageous theories that graced the rant boards in the crap bucket of Tigerdroppings.

A week after the Superdome debacle, my boss asked me what I thought about the game. Before I could finish my thoughts, he told me that Les should be fired or should seriously consider resigning. And he’s not the only one.

Several weeks later, I stumbled upon a quarter-page ad in the Advocate; seemingly a thank you letter commemorating Jarrett Lee’s contributions as the Tigers’ quarterback. But if you look through that smokescreen, it's just a snide way of criticizing the coaching staff and any of the Jefferson supporters.

Folks, what the hell is wrong with us?

The LSU Tigers just achieved arguably the greatest regular season in college football history. Lifelong fans were clamoring on radio shows just days before the National Championship, praising coach Miles for composing the best team they have ever seen. Tyrann Mathieu was a Heisman finalist, Mo Claiborne won the Jim Thorpe award, Brad Wing turned out to be the nation’s best punter and all four running backs could start on any football team and be standouts. I could go on and on.

Point being, up until halftime of the BCS Championship, we had nothing but good things to say about Les and the Tigers. Granted, they stumbled where it mattered most, but let's all come to grips with this; Alabama was the best team in college football, including the Tigers. The Tide was bigger, more disciplined and yes, they had a superior game plan.

“Oh, but Jeff, we beat them in Tuscaloosa!”

Yea. By a field goal. In overtime.

I’ll admit it. I predicted that LSU would win, but just like anyone, my predictions and my words don’t have any value to the football team. Believe me, I feel like an idiot. But it’s time to move on.

No amount of whining can put in a different quarterback. No article or newspaper ad can act as an offensive coordinator and no Internet thread can fire a head coach. While the disaster in the Superdome will certainly never be forgotten, it’s time to look forward. The Tigers will likely enter the 2012 regular season as a top-3 team armed with a plethora of returning starters and contributors.

And if you haven’t heard, we’ll have a new quarterback.

Jeff is a senior studying business management. You may contact him at jbro152@lsu.edu.