Point of view after rewatching the game...(LONG)

Just got home from Atlanta and turned on the DVR to recap the game (Sunday ritual). I noticed a few things that really stood out to me that I didn't see during the game.

First of all let me preface this by saying at the game, I was on the third row right behind the LSU bench, so some of my input is from literally being face to face with the players most of the night.

1. LSU defense played well 3 out of the 4 quarters of the game. Defense gave up 2 drives in the first quarter (1 prolonged by two personal foul calls and 1 that consisted of one blown coverage). In the second and third quarters, the defense was amazing.
2. The Rant has bitched for ages that Les doesn't play young players, and he did last night. The secondary is insanely young outside of Peterson and Taylor (Jai is at a new position so young that way), but the talent is unbelievable. Give them three more games together and they will be amazing.
3. The defensive line is back to LSU style football. Nevis is a beast, Montgomery is as advertised, and Mingo is a difference maker.

4. We sorely miss Ryan Baker. Minter still has to wrap up tacklers, and Barrow is undisciplined.

5. The injury to Blackwell killed us. On his only play, he was the presence he was last year when he actually got to play. T-bob is horrible, and lonergan has to pick his play up to continue to be successful.

6. Ridley ran hard all night, but he has to hold on to the ball. His ability to cut and drive through his runs is something that LSU hasn't had in a while. He reads holes well and hits them at full speed. If he can keep the ball, he could put up big numbers this year.

7. From watching the players on the sidelines, I was continually imnpressed with JL. He continually was going around and talking to who needed talking to. After Jasper shanked the kickoff, he was literally the only player to seek him out and pat him on the butt. He also would talk to Jefferson after most series (this reminded me of Flynn with Jamarcus). I commend the kid for his character even if he doesn't play another down at LSU. With that said, Loston still has a good bit to go in pass coverage. He is good at coming up and stopping the run, but you can tell he doesn't know his coverage to the T yet. On his first play, in the third quarter, he literally ran in circles trying to figure out where to go. He was immediately removed after that game and got instruction immediately from Cooper.

8. Now my final take on the game:
Miles figured the game was out of hand and decided it was time to get some work in. The players, like all the fans, were tired at half time and thought the rest of the game was a formality. There was laughing, sitting, and a lot of everything besides being involved in the game during the third quarter. I think the coaches thought it was a done deal, and they wanted to use the second half as another practice to see what would fit with a young team, and in fairness to them it should have been a done deal. If Ridley doesn't fumble on the opening drive, if there is no hold while Ridley marches into the end zone,if Jefferson doesn't take the intentional grounding out of field goal range, and if there is not a chop block 6 yards downfield on another Ridley carry, the Tigers run away with this one. The offense was close to clicking on all cylinders, but couldn't help but get in the way of themselves.

Call me a positiger, or whatever you want, but after rewatching the game and already knowing the outcome, I could see a lot of positives for a young team to build on. As with any young team this talented, the team could be scary good after the MSU game. I think as fans, we need to give them till after the MSU game before we really know what this season is going to be like.