re: Jarret Lee: The Man, The Myth, The Legend

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There are some (I'm on the fence) that will NEVER forgive Miles for that bonehead decision to let Jefferson continue to play to the bitter end. It was the worst coaching and QB play I have ever seen on the big stage. Embarrassing is the only word that comes to mind. Let's hope Miles has learned from his past mistakes and gives Harris a chance this season....

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Hmmmm . . . let's see. Miles has a choice.

At halftime of the BCSCG, Jefferson had completed over 85% of his passes, and he has a QB efficiency rating of 116.91.

At the end of the third quarter of the BCSCG, Jefferson had completed 76.92% of his passes, and he has a QB efficiency rating of 97.08.

Or Miles could turn to Lee:

In the 2008 game against Alabama, Lee had a QB Rating of 69.13 and a completion percentage of 38.24%.
In the 2009 game against Alabama, Lee had a QB Rating of 56.96 and a completion percentage of 40.00%.
In the 2010 game against Alabama, Lee had a QB Rating of 137.54 and a completion percentage of 57.14%.
In the 2011 game against Alabama, Lee had a QB Rating of 14.52 and a completion percentage of 42.19%.

Comparing Lee's QB Rating against Alabama to Jefferson's QB Rating against Alabama in the BCSCG, Lee had a higher QB Rating against Alabama only ONE time in Lee's entire career.

Comparing Lee's completion percentage against Alabama to Jefferson's completion percentage against Alabama in the BCSCG, Lee NEVER had a higher completion percentage against Alabama in Lee's entire career.

Miles can stick with a QB who is completing over 75% of his passes, or he can substitute Lee into the game.


Lee might have mixed things up. Lee might have sparked the team. However, the odds were not in Lee's favor. He was exactly the kind of QB that Alabama's defense feasted on: an immobile pocket passer. His history against Alabama confirms that statement, and his history against Alabama can be fairly described as abysmal.

On the other hand, Jefferson as QB slowed the Bama rush down. Moreover, Jefferson's ability to lead a second half comeback in 2011 was rock solid before the BCSCG. Jefferson had led comebacks in the last three HUGE games prior to the BCSCG: the GOTC, the Arkansas game, and the SECCG.


Many fans did not think at halftime of the GOTC that Jefferson was going to bring LSU to victory. However, in OT, Jefferson executed a perfect short-side option to Ford which put LSU in position for victory.

LSU beat Alabama at their house in the GOTC.


Many fans did not think with four minutes left in the half and LSU trailing 14-7 against Arkansas that Jefferson was going to bring LSU to victory. However, Jefferson passed for 208 yards, LSU's second highest passing total of the season, and Jefferson rushed for an additional 53 yards, all against the #3 team in the nation which positioned LSU for victory.

LSU blew the doors off of Arkansas, won the SEC West, and earned an invitation in the SECCG.


Many fans did not think at halftime with LSU trailing 10-7 to Georgia in the SECCG that Jefferson was going to bring LSU to victory. However, Jefferson executed options and zone reads to near perfection, and he threw a TD pass to Hilliard as LSU's offense scored FOUR TDs against a Top Five defense in their own backyard.

LSU rushed for over 200 yards, and Jefferson being the QB was an integral part of that, and LSU blew out Georgia and earned the right to play in the BCSCG.


So, of course, many fans did not think at halftime of Jan 9 that Jefferson was going to bring LSU to victory. Unfortunately, the stars were aligned against LSU that night. They never got the spark they needed against a totally amped up Alabama team that was desperate for redemption. However, Jefferson completed nearly 65% of his passes despite his porous offensive line. Had LSU been able to continue to switch it up and throw more in the second half of the BCSCG, it might have been a different story. However, the line could not hold Alabama back long enough to give Jefferson time to throw.


Jefferson played in FOUR huge games in 2011: the GOTC, the Arkansas game, the SECCG, and the BCSCG. At halftime, or four minutes before the half, LSU was losing in each of those games. Nevertheless, Miles showed faith in Jefferson, and Jefferson delivered in every game but one.

Thus, in my opinion, given the three HUGE games before the BCSCG, a reasonable mind could rationally choose to stick with Jefferson for the second half of the BCSCG because it had worked well in the three previous HUGE games.