There are at least two points of view regarding LSU football

1. Things are really good now. The Tiger Nation should be thankful for the success of its football program. A majority of posters appear to hold forth this perspective. It is an understandable position because it is largely true, especially using the 60s-90s as a comparator. There were few top 5 teams and fewer big bowl games. There were many losing seasons and embarrassing losses. LSU was always behind 'Bama, UF et al.

In the trial of LSU football history, CLM has no peers. His record is all that need be said about that. Further, I have stated that LSU and CLM got completely screwed by the BSC nimrods who forced them to play and beat alabama a second time before being declared champions. None of that changes the way things are in the SEC west.

2. While things are good, we really expect better. Everything about LSU football changed with Nick Saban. More than any other single human being, he is responsible for LSU being where it is today. If the irrepressible fans of LSU are anywhere near their assessment of LSU football talent, then for the last several years, excepting last year, LSU has underachieved. This is the responsibility of the coaching staff.

It seems to me that CLM has failed to get his teams to play better as the season progresses. He has failed to develop any good QBs, the jury on ZM still out. The team makes many unforced errors which mark a poorly coached unit. This year the offense has been stuck mostly in reverse AND, horror of horrors, the defense has gone completely taffy surrendering yards and huge plays with monotonous regularity.

Were this team to enter a playoff at this time, it would very likely get dismissed in the first round. It is playing poorly in all phases, just as it did much of the time against "lesser" opponents all year long. How can anyone believe this is the mark of a good team? Instead of peaking in the back half of the year, it is staggering, hoping for the other team to give it a break. Ole Miss and Arky obliged.

If LSU had found a way to win either the UF or 'Bama game, then much of my argument becomes moot. But it didn't and, moreover, it is playing its worst football all year. ZM has little feel for the pocket, the receivers are still dropping passes etc. I for one really expect better. Too many seasons in which one loss eliminates this team from contention for my liking.