The SEC Forum at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

Somebody remind me not to act like such a pussy next time a superior Ole Miss team comes to town.  This is the second time in a row the Rebears entered BR without me having any belief whatsoever in the home team, only to watch them return to their dirty state with broken hearts.   

After beating Ole Miss (and winning 5 straight), 9-3 is certainly much more realistic for LSU. Win one of their next two, either @Arkansas or @A&M. Then go 3-1 Vs Alabama, @Florida, Vs Vandy, Vs Oklahoma. Certainly doable.

After losing to USC to open the season in Vegas, I was wrong to write LSU off. Not only has LSU won six straight since, but their last two wins were over strong opponents I figured the Tigers were more likely to lose. LSU deserves their Top 10 ranking.

Rest of LSU's schedule is still an uphill climb. To start the season, I never would've counted on Oklahoma becoming the easiest out left:

They are such a flawed team, it's tough to evaluate them as top 10 quality.  The coaching is there, overall, I think.  The pieces--particularly defensive talent--just aren't.  Defense is playing so much better than last year and early this year.  But there's a definite ceiling due to this not being a Tiger D of "vintage" personnel. 

The offense is there in fits and starts.  Run game was nonexistent and that makes life hard, but it's showed signs of life lately.  Passing game is pretty good, but Nussmeier definitely has a lot of first year starter decisions.  Settling for FGs in the RZ is a recurring issue.

I dunno.....just not what I consider a top 10 team, but they do appear to be heading toward maxing out the available talent.  Which is of course not nearly as much as UGA, UT, Bama, etc.

Also, I didn't realize we play Vandy this year.  Poop. 

I think we're the only ones with a Vandy curse. 

Well, maybe Alabama now, too.

LSU fans were really venting at Brian Kelly last night after losing to Texas A&M. Do they never take a step back and realize losses like these are sometimes due, and in the more open SEC format, the season is still quite navigable?

I thought LSU outplayed Texas A&M well into the 3rd Q. The Tigers secondary locked down A&M's passing game, the receivers were lethal, OL blocked mostly well for Nussmeier, but couldn't get a running game going. All in all, LSU looked well prepared for a tough road game - credit Kelly? The three untimely turnovers didn't help, but what ultimately tripped up LSU were matters nearly impossible to prepare for - things like the blown FG, which I thought triggered momentum Texas A&M's way. And with that momentum shift, Texas A&M was able to use a sudden QB change w/ Marcel Reed as a secret weapon that noticeably caught LSU's defense off guard and fooled LSU's coaches.

Unlike the raging LSU fans across social media last night, I don't blame Brian Kelly; his staff has done a great job righting the season, winning 6 straight after losing their Vegas opener to USC. And though out-coached last night by an excellent A&M staff, LSU did well in a position of disadvantage for much of the game. Both sides took advantage of each other's mistakes (like breakdowns in the Aggie secondary) and as the game went along A&M had one or two more late chances to capitalize than LSU.

LSU plays Alabama at home in two more weeks; win and all the hysterics will die down again. So predictable.

Yeah, when's the last time Alabama lost three regular-season games?  Gotta go way back I imagine.

SEC Championship scenarios: Sorting out Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, LSU and Texas A&M mess (247sports.com)
SEC Championship scenarios: Sorting out Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, LSU and Texas A&M mess (247sports.com)

It is very likely the winner of A&M Texas goes to ATL.

UGA also plays at Ole Miss this Saturday which I think is far from a "gimme", they are 3-4 point favorites.  Getting by Florida even ugly was a good thing for them.

I'm guessing Carson Beck may go into "safe mode" and not throw much of anything thay isn't completely open.