I'm encouraged that we will win out and face the Hillbillies again in their stadium. So, a few observations and comments regarding that rematch.
I thought the billies played quite well against LSU; much better than I thought them capable of playing. Their QB threw for more than 300 yards and LSU was not much more effective than were we in stopping their bubble screen or their over-the-middle crossing routes. Dangerfield really is a polished receiver and they have a bevy of secondary receivers. The QB is accurate and throws a very catchable ball. Their scheme is sophisticated enough that two of their touchdown receptions hardly had an LSU defender in sight. Defensively, while they sold-out to stop the run, they were able to do so and I didn't believe them capable of being that physical. Had the billies not had two turnovers deep in the red zone, the final score would have been much closer.
So with all of that praise, how does it affect my view of a rematch? I think we can win, but if we do we must beat a legitimate team, not what I thought was an over-hyped team.
To win, we must be prepared to give up yardage, but limit hillbilly drives to FG's, not TD's. In that regard, we will have a very important weapon that we lacked in our first meeting - Jaylon Ferguson. By the rematch, I believe he will be a nearly full replacement for Houston Bates. If we combine Ferguson with aggressive man coverage in the red zone, we can successfully limit hillbilly TD's.
Offensively, we should have Wixson back at center. If so, combined with the experience gained by Dugas and others during the season, the OL will be at its best this year allowing our scoring weapons to operate at maximum efficiency.
If we enter the rematch at full strength, we'll win.
I thought the billies played quite well against LSU; much better than I thought them capable of playing. Their QB threw for more than 300 yards and LSU was not much more effective than were we in stopping their bubble screen or their over-the-middle crossing routes. Dangerfield really is a polished receiver and they have a bevy of secondary receivers. The QB is accurate and throws a very catchable ball. Their scheme is sophisticated enough that two of their touchdown receptions hardly had an LSU defender in sight. Defensively, while they sold-out to stop the run, they were able to do so and I didn't believe them capable of being that physical. Had the billies not had two turnovers deep in the red zone, the final score would have been much closer.
So with all of that praise, how does it affect my view of a rematch? I think we can win, but if we do we must beat a legitimate team, not what I thought was an over-hyped team.
To win, we must be prepared to give up yardage, but limit hillbilly drives to FG's, not TD's. In that regard, we will have a very important weapon that we lacked in our first meeting - Jaylon Ferguson. By the rematch, I believe he will be a nearly full replacement for Houston Bates. If we combine Ferguson with aggressive man coverage in the red zone, we can successfully limit hillbilly TD's.
Offensively, we should have Wixson back at center. If so, combined with the experience gained by Dugas and others during the season, the OL will be at its best this year allowing our scoring weapons to operate at maximum efficiency.
If we enter the rematch at full strength, we'll win.
