re: How Did We Get Here?

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He stopped getting bailed out by the Derek Dooleys of the world. A miracle running play like at Georgia in 2009 stopped saving his bacon. He needed to do fundamental things to win games that he couldn't do. That's where it went south on him.

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He did have a tremendous run of good fortune. In addition to what you mentioned, throw in UNC dropping two game winning passes in the endzone and the fortuitous bounce at Florida in 2010, State inexplicably passing instead of giving the ball to their big back who was gashing us in 2009 at the goal line, Doucet's 4th and 10 catch that really wasn't at Arizona St., Doucet intercepting the game winning catch intended for Bowe at Tennessee that was heading at Bowe's ankles....letting teams hang around that shouldn't be....eventually that catches up.

but it's o.k. we're winning....till we aren't winning as much as we should and it's too late.

I don't disagree with anything you've posted but I look back at 3 things that fell into place for Miles that really lengthened his tenure.

1. The 2010 season- he was coming off back to back mediocre (or worse) seasons and the negative talk was staring to ratchet up. In the first half of that season he ended up winning 3 games that they realistically should have lost. UNC, TENN, UF. I still can't believe he managed to have his arse bailed out on those 3 games but it happened. and allowed everyone to ignore how the team looked on the field because they were W's. Think back on those 3 games..... Anyways they managed to finish with only two losses and looked good in their bowl game.

2. TM7 in 2011 - I believe if this guy wasn't on that team to bail them out they would have had at least 3 losses. Not taking anything away from Miles on this - just stating that the simple fact that TM7 was on that team really bailed them out of some situations I 'm not sure they could have overcome.

3. Zach Mettenberger - Miles had mismanaged and underdeveloped the QB position for a while but his point but a talented JC transfer fell in his lap and made the offense look more respectable for a short time. Again, ignoring the fact that super talented QBs that someone else developed won't be routinely falling into your lap.

I know people will come back and say he recruited TM7 and ZM. You are correct - I just think having a once in a lifetime defensive and sp teams performance by TM7 and having an a somewhat polished JC QB falling your lap will be the exception to the rule and he had both of those things fall into place after being the luckiest SOB on the planet in 2010.

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My theory: college football changed dramatically between 2007 and 2016. First and foremost, various iterations of the spread revolutionized offense and fundamentally altered the way championships could be won. Second, the SEC strengthened: Saban turned Bama into a juggernaut, traditionally mediocre programs (e.g. Ole Miss) improved, teams across the league hired better coaches and were less tolerant of failure. Third, on a national level, as revenues grew, schools invested ever increasing sums into glittering facilities, staffs, recruiting, and their programs generally. All of college football improved.

While these paradigmatic changes were occurring, LSU stood pat, burdened with a prideful coach who was either unwilling or unable to adapt to the changing times. We persisted in an antiquated, predictable offensive scheme and recruited players which fit that scheme. Worse, our D and O line recruiting dropped off. Now we've fallen behind, albeit only by a small margin. We still have talent, but it is no longer deployed in an optimal scheme.

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Very well said. I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head. We're not that far away. For some reason we still have top notch recruiting. So, whoever is here next season will at least be able to hit the ground running. But it sure feels like we're a long ways off.

How in the Hell did you expect LF to be so good? Les Miles offense was never going to allow for anyone to be great.

That offense was only good when you can out talent the other team. However, in that case a coach is not important.

Alleva and no QB

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TM7 in 2011 - I believe if this guy wasn't on that team to bail them out they would have had at least 3 losses. Not taking anything away from Miles on this - just stating that the simple fact that TM7 was on that team really bailed them out of some situations I 'm not sure they could have overcome.

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Ha ha. Tm 7 was great but we dominated all but 1 team. We were not losing 3 games without tm 7.

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Mettenberger - Miles had mismanaged and underdeveloped the QB position for a while but his point but a talented JC transfer fell in his lap and made the offense look more respectable for a short time. A

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You mean the qb HE developed. Mett was at lsu for 3 years. But by all means never give Miles credit but gove him all the blame.

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Les Miles offense was never going to allow for anyone to be great.

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Its like some of you really just hate facts. The most productive offenses in lsu history have been under miles.

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tired of seeing great defenses that have to play PERFECT in order for us to win big games

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They almost have to play better than perfect. We about need them to create multiple turnovers AND score too.

You nailed it