re: Origins of Apathy: LSU Has Not Won a Big Game in Three Years

not sure how much apathy there is right now because we are 7-1 and still in the hunt for a BCS bowl. if we run the table, the world will be nice. however, most don't expect that to happen. and yes, since our NC, we have lost all of the really big meaningful games. we have not been a top 10 team and i think that that is ultimately the standard here at LSU. if miles doesn't get us back, he's a goner. the question is how long does he have? if we lose to both bama and arky and heaven forbid ole miss, the apathy for next year will be there very quickly.

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Only playing and beating that small group will constitute as a "big" game anymore to the majority of the fanbase. The bitching and loathing comes from the fear of falling out of that select circle.

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I don't disagree with you.

But for those you described, why not just make the season three games long?

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A better case would be that LSU needed to redefine their goals for the season once the SEC was out of reach. What's your motivation when at best you're playing for a "more premiere" bowl? It's been noticeable in both 2008 and 2009, and could very well happen again this year should we *cough* let this game slip by us.

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I don't disagree, but that happens EVERYWHERE.

Was Bama really 6-6 bad in 2007? I don't think so. But they fell apart after losing to LSU, even dropping to a vastly inferior ULM team.

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We beat them in Gainesville (which is a tough place to win), when they were in the top 10. I don't see what's "not big" about that.

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The previous poster above hit the nail on the head. Everyone knew Florida wasn't that good when Bama trounced them 31-6. Contender is the key word.

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I guess I'm in the sect that believes going into a place where teams have had little success against a team who has been the best of the SEC for the past two decades and winning is always a BIG game.

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florida is 3-2 at home this year w/ wins over Kentucky, South florida and Miami Oh.

I agree with the OP. But the fans have held on till just recently. LSU fans were UP for the Auburn game this year. They were pumped! But it's when UNBELIEVABLY/INSANELY Miles stubbornly started Jefferson again and refused to really play Lee again (only 1 series in the first half).............THAT was the nail in the coffin which began the real apathy. The fans are just worn out with Miles continually starting Jefferson and still favoring him over Lee when it's obvious to everyone, including the overwhelming statistics which support Lee, that your best chance at victory is with Lee. Watching Jefferson throw that first series interception again just cut the gas line and deflated all enthusiasm. And then to put Jefferson right back in after that interception, and to continue putting him back in till the end of the first half.............well - you knew in the pit of your LSU gut - that you were witnessing a stark raving mad lunatic of a coach. Miles had been doing and making the same crazy decisions by continually putting Jefferson in for too many prior games, series, etc. When he kept playing Jefferson, at some point in that first half, you had to just let go. Your logical brain and reason forced a sort of surgical disconnect onto and over your LSU emotions and spirit. Miles has lost this fan base primarily over his stubborness toward Jordan Jefferson. His big 10 Michigan style conservative football is another leading reason. The waste of top key player talent is just too frustrating to endure. Eventually you give up. Even hope is lost. Miles is bull-headed and I believe has made decisions specifically in spite of fan wishes in an attempt to proove himself right. It was'nt just the entire LSU fanbase that clearly saw who the better quarterback was, it was the sports writers, sports announcers and entire national audience that saw which quarterback came in to spark the team and win games. Lee really did'nt get a chance in the Auburn game. We'll never know what might have occurred if Lee had started and played the vast majority of the game.

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We'll never know what might have occurred if Lee had started and played the vast majority of the game.

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You hear the NFL pundits talk about this all the time. There is a difference when you are the starter all week in practice. There's a sense of ownership and accountability that can help you propel to a new level. Miles refuses to accept this. It would be different if we were lighting up the scoreboard with the two QB system like Leak and Tebow. Fact of the matter is, we're still not sustaining drives and neither gets in any rhythm with the current system.

Look at Urban this past weekend. He realized his offense continues to suck so he tried 3 QBs. Mike Sherman at ATM started Tanehill. Now before you get your panties in a wad, LSU is better than both those teams. But, I am talking about making a change when you're struggling. Miles will wait until next season to do anything different. Why? We are still the worst offense in the conference. What in the world could it hurt. That's why people are so angry. Just try something for crying out loud.

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There are only so many disappointments a man can stand before he begins to distance himself from the wellspring of his sorrows.

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This. Fool me once, shame on you...

I'll always be a Tiger fan. But I won't really get excited about it until our next coach's first game.

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We are just going to have to hope for the best every week.

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That's why you're paid $3.75MM a year. You find something innovative to fix it. Play Spencer Ware, RS, or Reuben Randle. Run the Wild Tiger with PP7. I don't care. Something to try and score. You don't just sit there and say well shite..