Look at our Schedule

I just took a look at last week’s “Pre Season” AP Top 25 poll. Of the teams listed, we play or have played, Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, Auburn, UNC and West Virginia. That is six teams in the Top 25. That is 50 % of our entire schedule. How many of the teams listed in the AP Top 25 (including the teams I just listed) have more teams in the AP Top 25 on their schedule? …None. How many teams play as many as six? …Only one.

Number One ranked Alabama plays Penn State, Florida, Arkansas, LSU, and Auburn….That’s only five.

Number Two ranked Ohio State plays Miami, Iowa, Penn State and Wisconsin. That is four.

I watched Number Three ranked Boise State defeat Va Tech, which is the one of only two Top 25 Teams they will play. The other one is Oregon State.

Number Four ranked Florida plays Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Florida State, which makes up a total of four.

I live near Austin Texas and I hear a lot about the Number Five ranked Longhorns. They are facing the mighty Cowboys of Wyoming this coming Saturday and the remainder of their schedule includes only two of the teams on the Top 25 (Oklahoma and Nebraska).

Number Six ranked TCU, my daughter’s Alma Mater, played Oregon State and won. They play Utah later this season who is probably the toughest team remaining on their schedule. Oh wait…Utah is not in the Top 25. (yet)

Number Eight ranked Nebraska plays one Top 25 team, Texas.

Number Nine ranked Iowa plays three teams in the Top 25

Number Ten ranked Virginia Tech was defeated by one Top 25 Team, (Boise State) and has three more remaining on their schedule.

Oregon , USC, Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Wisconsin each only have two teams on the Top 25 on their schedules.

Miami is the only other team in America to have six teams from the Top 25 on their schedule. Three of those teams Pittsburgh, UNC and Va. Tech have already lost a game.

Georgia Tech, Georgia and Penn each will play three teams on the Top 25

Arkansas has five teams on the Top 25

North Carolina. Florida State, Auburn and Oregon State each have four teams on the Top 25 on their schedule.

I admit the “Top 25” I am mentioning is the AP Pre Season poll and I am sure as the season progresses it will change. LSU arguably has the toughest schedule in college football. Only fans of The “U” are close.

So my final question is do we still feel that anything less than perfection this year mandates releasing one of the most successful football coaches in our history? I would like to think that the State of Louisiana and The LSU Board of Regents are smart enough to pay millions of dollars a year to someone who really knows how to be a BCS Division College Football Head Coach. Personally I do not think they pay much attention or heed the advise of some "slub" who spends his time divided between ranting on Tiger Droppings and watching internet porn.

I realize it is easy to predict the future. It is far more difficult to predict it correctly. With that said, I feel that LSU will surprise us this year and they will disappoint us as well. I see the Tigers having a legitimate chance to defeat both Alabama and Florida. I say that because I feel both of those teams are overrated. On the other hand I am very concerned about a Dan Mullen coached MSU team, the revitalized Tennessee team, and a WVU that will come into Tiger Stadium undefeated. Yes, it is very possible that the Tigers will finish this season with a record as poor as 6-6.I pray that is not the case. But this team will be ranked in the top five of the 2011 AP Pre Season Poll. I am sure of it. It would be a true shame to allow the architect of that team to be dismissed prior that season.