This is a statement to all Tiger fans, both Posi and Nega. I don't care if you want to move on and get another guy, we as a fanbase OWE Miles this- we need to get vocal in our support to him as LSU's COACH.

And I'm not calling anyone out, because I'm as guilty as anyone else of falling asleep, of letting my guard down. huh?

Les Miles is getting scorned and ridiculed nationally for everything from his hat to his shoes, his speech patterns, to the style of his teams' victories. By actual journalists, not just guys like us posting on the web. There's a difference. Why? because he looks funny? So do lots of coaches, but you don't see the press rag other coaches, only fans, unless the press actively dislikes that coach. Why? Why would the media single Les out, when lots of teams win less than impressively, and lots of coaches make odd gametime decisions?

We've gotten too caught up in our current passions to remember why, I guess. I know I did, until I was reminded of it while skimming a thread on whether LSU was an elite program or not.

Les Miles did what Nick Saban didn't- and what we wanted- and he'll forever be a target for that, and we owe him our support for this if no other reason: HE DARED TO DEFY THE NATIONAL MEDIA'S ANNOINTMENT OF USC, AND SAID LSU WAS BETTER!

Remember all the fawning over USC? How they were going for the Threepeat? Greatest Team Ever? And it was Les (in the preseason, before he won his own title) saying USC only had 1, not 2, and we had the crystal ball from 03. And furthermore, he actually said going through the SEC was more impressive than who USC faced (this was before ESPN decided the SEC was legit. Remember Fla was "taking" Michigan's spot in the NC game in 06). Les opened his mouth and told the world at large that LSU was as good as USC, pissing the media (Musberger, Herbsteit etc) off, and then proceeded to win the title. AND in the process had the GALL to say he'd prefer to be coach at LSU instead of Michigan, further offending national (ESPN) wisdom.

For this sin- for stating LSU was as good a team as there is, and honoring the accomplishments of the prior coach when everyone nationally was on USC's boat, Les will always be attacked. Remember, Frank Beamer at VT is a crafty coach because his teams win with defense and special teams, yet Miles and LSU are frauds this year. Nobody called out Stoops at Oklahoma for their record last year, or squeaking by Air Force by a field goal (in the media). Not like LSU and Les. The only other coach to get reamed like this was Weiss at Notre Dame, because the media disliked him too, and loved to prove him wrong.

Want Miles gone? Fine. Want to bitch about him among ourselves- within the family? Fine, that's our tradition. I, myself, would like a game to be in hand by halftime, instead of going down to the wire.

Goofy-arse Les had our back. For that, we need to have his, AT LEAST to the point of him being our coach. While ESPN is fanning the flames here by ridiculing Miles, we're 7-1 with a one score loss to the #1 BCS team on the road. We have no true offense and are still on pace to win 10+ this year, and may well end up in the Sugar Bowl. If you want a new coach then make it clear you think a new approach can help, but give the guy his due. Tell ESPN to shove it and look at the scoreboard everytime they rag our coach.