Things we learned about LSU against UF

#1 the reason we don't see more Shepard is because he is lost as a goose and during the season is a tough time to teach a true freshman anything about playing QB at the college level when you have to spend all of your practice time teaching a true sophomore QB how to play at the college level. Shep had 6 snaps and used 2 timeouts to get those 6 snaps.

That being said if anyone should be running the option out of the spread it is Shep and not JJ. But we don't see that and I have to assume that is because the coaches don't trust Shep to make the proper read and pitch or run. So they just put him in to run. I suspect that we will see Shep throw one against Florida as payback for the Tebow jump passes from the last two meetings between LSU and UF.

I also think that the timeout he called when there was total confusion and JJ was lined out wide was going to be the pass to JJ we have heard rumors of (JJ was off the LOS and way out past the hash) but Miles thought twice about running it out of the timeout and scrapped the play. LSU came out in a different formation out of the TO and we didn't see JJ split out wide again.

#2 JJ is a terrible option quarterback (because he is solely a pitch man) and the spread option system is a terrible fit for him and CScott. I didn't understand why we were still using combinations of the spread option/zone read, the offset I, two TEs and the spread/empty backfield systems but after today now I do. Crowton has been buying time with a mixture of systems until he felt confident enough in JJ's ability to read the defense to commit to offset I and throw it down the field.

#3 JJ grew up a lot today and he owes a burger and a coke to Reuben Randle for saving his arse on that tough catch in the 4th quarter to pick up a crucial 1st down. We see why the coaches said JJ took ownership of the starting job from day one in August, he has poise and a knack for clutch plays when LSU needs them most and that can't be said for any other QBs on the team right now.

#4 Miles still makes curious game management decisions but somehow he never really has to pay for them. I don't have a problem with the 4th and 1, but I hated the play call. I do have a problem with the way the first half ended and I don't understand putting Shep on the 4yrd line in the 4th quarter when he was shaky at best earlier. That being said the good far outweighs the bad (or curious) with Miles and he wins, which is all that really matters.

#5 this is not the Saban defense, it is not the Pelini defense it is clearly the Chavis defense and although we don't see the exotic blitzing of days gone by what we do see is a much simpler system that has players thinking less and doing more. With the athletes we have at LSU now I don't think it is really necessary to blitz excessively and put yourself at a disadvantage elsewhere on the field. Give Brick Haley some time and the DL will get better. On Hanagriff/Rush tonight they mentioned the Bandit package of 4 DEs on the LOS making a comeback and since DE depth is a strength right now and DT depth isn't, it might be a good idea to try it. The extra speed on the front could be especially effective against UF, who doesn't have a physical RB to punish 4 DEs on the LOS.

#6 it isn't a pretty 5-0, but it is what we wanted and in CFB right now pretty doesn't matter.