In Baton Rouge, little attention is being paid to the game with Alabama Football. Instead, there are mostly who will replace Coach O questions and player transfer stories. Upcoming basketball contests are getting more attention than Saturday’s game in Tuscaloosa.
How do we know? Check out the two top LSU fans sites. One is part of the FanSided network; Death Valley Voice. The other one is And The Valley Shook. On Wednesday the lead stories on the two sites were:
- Where will Myles Brennan land?
- LSU. vs Alabama Game Odds
- Could another QB transfer from LSU?
- Coach O embarrassed LSU
- LSU Basketball Preview: Forwards
- LSU Tiger Coach Name Game
- LSU Basketball Preview: Guards
- NFL LSU Recap
- Myles Brennan to enter Transfer Portal
- ESPN to carry LSU – Alabama
From the above list, among the very few words about Saturday’s game, there were zero words of positive spin on LSU’s chances against the Crimson Tide.
The most attention given the game came from Zack Ragan’s story on Coach O embarrassing LSU.
"Orgeron had an exchange with a reporter on Monday that was completely embarrassing.Coach O thought the reporter was asking him about Alabama — the Tigers’ opponent on Saturday.Orgeron responded to the question by saying that Alabama was “very good” and “very well-coached”. At that point, someone clarified that the question was about Orgeron and his staff self-scouting LSU and not Alabama.What followed was a nearly minute-long diatribe from Orgeron about how LSU is too predictable on defense, doesn’t adjust well, and doesn’t disguise its defense."
Ragan explained why Coach O’s words were so bad, because of,
"the fact that Orgeron is essentially throwing shade at the entire defensive staff — you know, the guys he hired."
Unless Orgeron is trying to sabotage the rest of LSU’s season, throwing his coaches under a bus makes no sense. The closest relationships between players and coaches are developed by assistant coaches. A few defensive players may agree with Orgeron, but most will rally around their position coaches. If they are motivated by Orgeron’s words at all, it will be to prove him wrong.
Will LSU quit against Alabama Football?
Even worse, from a motivation perspective, Orgeron’s comments give his defensive players an excuse to quit in Tuscaloosa. The Bengal Tigers have offensive weapons, but given the roster condition of the LSU defense, the LSU offense will need to score on every possession. When it can’t and the beleaguered LSU defense can’t stop the Tide, LSU’s will to battle could fade.
Even with the roster problems and the other turmoil, LSU has enough talent to muster some challenge. It is the kind of game that will either be a 14-17 point win for the Tide OR a five touchdown blowout. Ed Orgeron is increasing the chances it will be the latter.
One positive for LSU is that an Alabama Football game assures NFL scouts in attendance. More than a few Bengal Tigers will try their best to impress the scouts.