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LSU's Topsy-Turvy Month A Prelude For More Drama?

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By JOEY JOHNSTON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 21, 2007

No one has had a more dramatic October than the LSU Tigers.

•Oct. 6: Protecting the program's first No. 1 ranking since 1959 by rallying from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat defending national champion Florida 28-24. LSU was 5-for-5 on fourth-down conversions.

•Oct. 13: Watching a second-half lead slip away at Kentucky, then failing on a fourth-down run, sealing a 43-37 triple-overtime loss against the Wildcats.

•Saturday night: Enduring the breathtaking 30-24 rally against Auburn, when LSU, battling uphill all game, seemed resigned to a final-play field goal attempt for the win. Instead, LSU coach Les Miles again rolled the dice.

With the clock running and LSU holding a timeout on third-and-7, Miles approved an unorthodox call by offensive coordinator Gary Crowton. LSU quarterback Matt Flynn hit Demetrius Byrd on a 22-yard fade pattern in the back of the end zone.

The clock was at 0:01.

LSU was that close to being eliminated from the national championship derby.

'If we tip the ball in the end zone, the game's over,' Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said. 'They made the play.'

'With one second left, I think we timed the play out perfectly,' Miles said.

LSU's open date couldn't come at a better time. Tiger hearts need recovery time. Things couldn't possibly get more dramatic. Could they?

Nov. 3 - The Nick Saban Bowl.

LSU at Alabama for control of the SEC West.

LSU (7-1) remains in the chase for a spot in the Jan. 7 BCS Championship Game at New Orleans, its chances improving as the pool of unbeaten teams has shrunk to five.

But that discussion can heat up another day.

For now, LSU fans have a greater priority. They just want to exhale, if only for a moment, before resuming one of the most spine-tingling seasons in recent memory.

This Week's Key Games

•Boston College (7-0) at Virginia Tech (6-1) - Critical Thursday night clash could be preview of the ACC Championship Game.

•California (5-2) at Arizona State (7-0) - Golden Bears have beaten ASU four straight times (winning each by at least 17 points).

•USF (6-1) at Connecticut (6-1) - Bulls can regain control of their Big East Conference destiny with a road victory.

•Florida (5-2) vs. Georgia (5-2) - Since the Spurrier era began at UF, Gators are 15-2 against (former?) nemesis Bulldogs.

•Kansas (7-0) at Texas A&M (6-2) - Aggies have beaten KU seven of eight times with the only loss occurring in 1974.

•Ohio State (8-0) at Penn State (6-2) - OSU (2-5 at Happy Valley in Big Ten play) finishes with Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan.

•USC (6-1) at Oregon (6-1) - Former No. 1 Trojans, sagging for a good month now, can regain Pac-10 mojo at Autzen Stadium.

•West Virginia (6-1) at Rutgers (5-2) - Likely Big East title elimination game; WVU won last season's meeting 41-39 in triple OT

They Said It

"It's not like [we're] going to the toiletbowl.com." - Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis, after the Irish (1-7) officially became# ineligible for a bowl bid.

"Half the time I didn't even know where the ball was." - Washington LB E.J. Savannah, after the Huskies surrendered 465 rushing yards in a 55-34 loss to Oregon.

"The only word to describe Henne is courageous." - Michigan coach Lloyd Carr on senior QB Chad Henne, who played through a hand injury to throw two touchdown passes and lead the Wolverines past Illinois 27-17.

"We don't think we're unbeatable. Once you think that way, that's when you get beat." - Kansas CB Aqib Talib, whose Jayhawks (7-0) defeated Colorado 19-14.

"I could have driven my car through the holes I was given." - Texas A&M RB Jorvorskie Lane, who rushed for 130 yards and four TDs in a 36-14 win against Nebraska.

"It's all about pride now. The national championship is out of the picture and the Rose Bowl is out of the picture, but you still have to play." - California LB Worrell Williams, whose Golden Bears (5-2) have lost two straight games.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353

or jjohnston@tampatrib.com.

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