TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Tigers Are Ready To Roar

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOEY JOHNSTON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 10, 2007

When Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer emerged from the locker room following Saturday night's 48-7 loss at LSU, he patiently offered some explanation of what just occurred.

Really, he could've stopped after one sentence.

'What a football team,' Beamer said.

There's your all-encompassing analysis.

LSU: What a football team, indeed.

The Tigers led 17-0 before Virginia Tech had a first down. LSU had outgained Virginia Tech 327-40 at halftime. Even the only touchdown allowed by LSU this season was contested - replay was needed to determine whether Virginia Tech freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor had actually crossed the end-zone plane.

Although Tigers coach Les Miles already is in stop-the-hype mode - 'Save the accolades. We have just won two football games, that's all,' he said - the Tigers look scary good.

•The defense: LSU's defense was a given. Even before the season, it was a stacked unit. And it hasn't disappointed, allowing just 20 first downs, 81 rushing yards and 295 total yards in two games. With a suffocating defensive line that plays the run as well as it rushes the passer - along with great quickness in the linebackers and secondary - the Tigers already are plus-eight in turnover margin.

•The offense: The Tigers rolled up 598 yards against Virginia Tech, which had the nation's No. 1-ranked defense the past two seasons.

Let that one sink in.

LSU has a fleet of skill-position recruits who date to the Nick Saban era. The quarterback, fifth-year senior Matt Flynn, is capable. And now there's a change-of-pace quarterback, strong-armed and mobile Ryan Perrilloux, who presents more problems. Keiland Williams could be the feature back, but LSU prefers a four-pronged committee.

•The schedule: LSU gets South Carolina, Florida, Auburn and Arkansas at home. There's a potentially pesky matter of a Nov. 3 trip to Alabama (and Saban), but that's getting ahead of ourselves.

Let's not crown USC, which took the week off after beating Idaho, as the unquestioned No. 1 just yet. LSU plucked away seven of USC's first-place votes in Sunday's USA Today poll, one of the components used in determined the BCS standings, but the Trojans still have a commanding lead.

As Miles said, LSU has simply won two football games. But with Tiger talent on clear display Saturday night, the Tigers are going to win a whole lot more.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be

reached at (813) 259-7353

or jjohnston@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT