So, what a helluva 1st quarter right?

The game couldn't have started off any better for us. I was giddy with anticipation of beating the crap out of LSU and claiming a spot in the NCG. Riducule of Les Miles' inability to clap properly was at an all time high. I started to try and think of the first thread I would start here.

Then the fun stopped. A 15 yard face-mask and a poorly covered punt swung momentum in favor of your Tigers. We seemed to regain our composure after a couople of body blows and were driving the ball. Then, what appeared to be a first down with the ball popping out after Dennis Johnson was down turned into a turnover. Which turned into a beautifully executed drive for the lead.

That's ok. We've been a 2nd half team all year and Bobby has an incredible knack for rallying the team. I wasn't ready to count us out. The problem with having to rally in the 2nd half is that we faced a team with superior talent an depth. I think the Hogs proved that we can hang with anyone with our starters. The proof is in the 2 deep, though.

Your O-line and RB's were everything you guys professed them to be. They controlled the line of scrimmage, fought for extra yards, and wore us the frick out. Jefferson didn't play like the Jordan Jefferson us Hog fans have come to know and love. He played well after that 1st quarter. Randle kept finding the soft spot in the zone and it didn't matter what blitz we brought, we couldn't get to JJ anymore. Gassed.

Your defense was as expected. The game plan was well designed. The deep threats were taken away, turning play action passes into sacks. The run game was more successful against you than it was against Bama. I think that was due to your D expecting to see a lot more pass plays. Our runs were more successful when we had Small in at FB. I don't know why it was Broderick Green that got the ball with Small leading the way and DJ had to run out of the singleback set..that puzzled me. We had some success with crossing routes and curls, but those seemed to disappear in the 2nd half. I'll just chalk it up to a great defense with a great gameplan.

The game changer (and I HATE to say this) was the honey badger. That little shite punched us in the throat with that punt return and then came right back with the FF in LSU territory.

It's amazing how much talent will be returning next year. Who will be your key losses due to graduation/draft? It should be illegal to have that much talent on one team.

The game was won/lost in the trenches, as expected. Per Petrino, we have quite a bit of talent that we haven't seen on the field yet and he's excited about them. I'm going to miss the 17 seniors that helped build our program to what it is now. A top 10 caliber team that isn't quite ready to eat at the big boy table for a NC. I think we'll get there. I have no doubt we'll be able to compete with anyone in the country at the skill positions. I hope we can add depth to our lines. To be fair, we did lose several players off our O-line that we were going to be counting on before the season even began.

Congrats on the victory. Glad we get you and Bama at home next year. I think we're just beginning our run as a nationally recognized powerhouse. It's fun to be playing for more than something than just a spoiler.

Flame away.