2009 SEC Football Once-More Revisited: Post-Bowl Script

After an avowed down year in 2008 that saw the University of Florida win its second BCS National Championship in three years, the nation’s toughest league ushered in quite possibly its best showing--ever. In 2009 the mighty Southeastern Conference produced Tim Tebow’s Herschel Walker record-breaking swan song, ten bowl teams—with Mississippi State on the cusp of being eleven with five victories—and yet another national championship—Alabama’s eighth overall. 2009 will be remembered as a magical and memorable season for many, but of course, mostly by Alabama Crimson Tide fans, as the grand spoils of victory are securely theirs—for now, atop the nation’s toughest conference and the rest of the college football-playing world.

In this exclusive piece for Tigerdroppings.com, a true forum in the Constitutional sense, and an ephemeral reminder that the Internet is like pointing a powerful fireman’s hose of information at trembling teacup minds, we’ll recap the record-setting SEC bowl season, look to LSU’s SEC Western Division chances for 2010, and make early predictions for next season.

The Nation’s Best

Think of the year that was 2009 in American College Football. It was undeniably all about the SEC. Tim Tebow eclipsed and set long-held records. Nick Saban quickly molded Alabama into a balanced winner. Urban Meyer nearly won back-to-back BCS National Championships, if it were not for the former LSU National Championship winner, who became the first NCAA head football coach to win the award at two different schools, Meyer and Tebow may have pulled it off. However, it was fitting payback for Saban and the Tide, who had lost to the Gators in the 2008 SEC Championship Game. Get the picture? The national championship game is now being held every year in the Georgia Dome during the first week of December.

League Finishes 6-4 in Bowl Games

Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, Arkansas, Florida and Ole Miss were all winners. LSU, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee were losers. The most important of these wins was of course Alabama’s punishment of the University of Texas in the national championship game, which I earlier explained is now firmly a conference afterthought. The league has exacted a vice-like stranglehold on the crown, with the BCS system doing its quiet, early bidding.

LSU, Crowton Looked the Same Versus Penn State

Prior to the muddy debacle in Mickey Town, Les Miles was known as a veritable bowl guru, a sort of post-season sideline Jedi Master with a white hat and block purple lettering. In the post-season Miles seemingly showered with Ajax, ate two-by-fours and purposefully ignored sleep to instead watch film. He was a perfect 4-0--until Miles chose not to terminate his failing offensive coordinator, Gary Crowton en route to challenging the game’s most successful coach, Joe Paterno. As brash as ever, outgunned from the onset, Miles pressed on nonetheless, forcing hammer to anvil, hopefully pounding for a win—a victory that did not come.

I earlier likened Miles keeping Crowton to Dinardo’s stubbornness in keeping Tepper. That should have sent cold chills down the spines of most Tiger fans. However, to the die-hard, this is a real problem. To the person that regularly attends the Bayou Bash, this is beyond a problem—this is blasphemy. Things have quickly become interesting, in Baton Rouge, despite nine wins. LSU fans are apparently as fickle as they are venomous, and for Miles and any other that wears the hat, it comes with the territory. Miles improved over last season’s record. He will likely have to do the same in 2010 or he will again feel the firing heat.

I find it baffling that Alleva and Miles would want to keep Crowton. LSU Football is the driving engine and lifeblood of a multi-million dollar athletic department. Nevertheless, one never really knows the politics of the situation, or if Crowton and Miles have some sort of death bed pact together. The former could explain everything as much as the latter. Then again, who knows? Perhaps Miles really believes two new position coaches on offense will be the difference. I doubt it, though. There is likely much more to all of this. I keep wondering if Miles’ alma mater is still interested in him and whether or not they will again be looking at this time next year when Rich Rodriguez is dusting off his resume’.

This entire Crowton Conundrum has led me to ponder: If Donald Trump was Alleva…the answer would undoubtedly be swift and decisive, a conclusion drawn upon evidence—upon performance. Roll with me here…

Frame the scene: Trump’s bold comb-over flaps in the air-conditioned luxury that is his mainstay. His $3,500 hand-tailored, solid-gold stitched suit made in Dubai is impeccable. He is as sharp as he is intimidating.

Crowton sits before him in a sweat-stained and sun-bleached, purple LSU Football hat and a gray cotton tee shirt similarly emblazoned. A whistle attached to a lanyard hugs his neck. He swallows hard.

Trump checks the face of his diamond-encrusted gold Rolex and looks directly at Crowton.

“Coach!” Trump yells.
“Yes Sir?” Crowton stammers.
“Our offense ranked 112 of 120 teams this season, Mister Crowton…”
(dramatic pause for effect)
Crowton’s stomach tightens.
“What do you have to say for this performance? Surely you don’t think this is an acceptable ranking?”
Trump scowls in a way that would make Wimp Sanderson look pretty.
Crowton swallows hard.
“I don’t have an excuse, Sir. We are going to get better next year. Coach Miles and I are going to get it back on track.”
Trump sits motionless. He then barks.
“There will be no next time Mr. Crowton. You sir, are fired! You are free to leave.”
Crowton quickly exits.
Trump ignites.
“Get Miles in here!”

Crowton Could Still Leave

It is still a possibility that Crowton could be quietly looking for a job. Miles has done this before, remember. Last year everyone was going bonkers over the fact that Miles needed a new defensive coordinator. He worked it out. All true LSU fans can only hope that Miles recognizes the obvious need for a change. Glenn Guilbeau recently mentioned in his regular Gannett article that Crowton was being reconsidered by the Chicago Bears. This leads me to believe that Crowton is looking for employment, and is actively putting the feelers out. Anything could happen in the weeks leading to spring practice.

The Nick Saban Effect on the LSU Fan Base

I spoke to many LSU fans this past summer. It was always interesting to hear their take on Les Miles and Nick Saban. LSU fans either loved or hated Saban and they either loved or hated Miles. Interestingly, there were slightly more LSU fans that loved Saban and would take him back and predictably, slightly fewer LSU fans that loved Miles. It was perplexing, because Nick Saban bolted from LSU on Christmas Eve without notice. I guess since Nick Saban helped LSU win its first national championship in 45 years he will always be seen by many LSU fans as their “first” coaching love. And so it goes, Alabama has LSU’s ex. I guess that’s an unjust consolation prize for Tiger fans. C’es la vie.

Looking to 2010

If Crowton indeed stays as has been repeatedly reported, LSU Football is likely in for a long year. I cannot see the Tigers competing for the Western crown with the same offensive coordinator. As it is John Chavis’s wonderful job this year has been overshadowed by the unforeseen weakness the offense consistently displayed. Chavis deserves much credit for the improved 9-4 record.

If LSU can rid itself of Crowton and get Russell Shepard and some of the other emerging young stars like Ford, Tolliver and Randle the football the Tigers will again be dangerous offensively. Ho