Championship Saturday

ETA:  LSU wins the SEC Championship and in another whacky college football Saturday, both #1 Mizzou and #2 W. Virginia lose to let everyone back into the party.  It appears that LSU may slip in to that #2 spot to play Ohio St. in New Orleans for the National Championship.

What a day…..

While it’s not the last Championship that LSU was hoping to hoist at the end of the season, today they take on the Tennessee Volunteers in Atlanta, GA for the SEC Conference Championship. Any other year, this would be HUGE, but this year it’s a let down as this team and these fans were expecting to be playing for the National Championship.

Game Preview

Given that Les “Fear the Hat” Miles will be departing for Meechigan next week, and Defensive Coordinator Bo Pellini will be Nebraska’s next head coach, I’m concerned that LSU is done for. Add some key injuries to Glenn Dorsey on defense and QB Matt Flynn on offense and this game could be really close.

However, we’ve been here before. Back in 2001, in the aftermath of 9-11, LSU snuck into the SEC Championship much like Tennessee has done this year. Starting QB Rohan Davey was injured and understudy Matt Mauck came in to lead the Tigers over heavily-favored Tennessee, 31-20.

It was a beautiful thing. All Tennessee needed was a win over LSU to go to the National Championship Rose Bowl game and LSU served them a trip to play Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. It sure was fun walking through the sea of dead roses on the ground after the game. I know….Mr. D., Mini-DD and I were there.

At Centennial Park Fountain in Atlanta – SEC Championship 2001

Mini-Tiger, Mini-DD at the game

Mini-DD was only ten, but he (and we) had a ball. As the tide turned and LSU began to win, the small LSU crowd was ecstatic. After hearing Rocky Top, non-stop for four hours, the quiet of the stunned Volunteer crowd was soothing to my ears.

Rocky Top

So, here’s to today and hoping that the Tigers can get focused and secure the SEC Championship. A win could possibly put them back in the title hunt (about 1% possible), but would put them in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on New Year’s Day. A loss will undoubtedly make LSU the biggest disappointment story of the year. Regardless of coaching changes, injuries, rivalries, bad calls, etc., sometimes you’ve just got to “man up”.

As for next year….LSU is loaded with talent once again and will be coached by a new sheriff. My choice? The one who strikes fear in the hearts of men:

The Ole Ball Coach – Steve Spurrier

NEWSFLASH: Approximately 20 minutes after I posted this, Les Miles changed his mind and agreed to stay at LSU.

FEAR THE HAT, Baby!!!!

GEAUX TIGERS!!! WIPE OUT ROCKY TOP!!! AGAIN.