Enough Already (AKA "Run the Damn Ball")

Enough already.

I wasn't at work 20 minutes before someone started talking about Clemson's fantastic 25-24 victory over LSU on New Year's Eve. The stunning turn of events that took place in the Georgia Dome was perhaps best summed up by SB Nation Editorial Director Spencer Hall's Twitter account, late in the 4th quarter:

Indeed.  Tajh Boyd's offensive numbers were so otherworldly that I did a spit-take when the Mike Patrick finally reported that the single-game offensive records they kept yammering about weren't set against Wake Forest.  After all, that was the night my boys and I witnessed Boyd throw for a (then) record-setting 428 yards and 5 touchdowns.  Unbeknownst to me he one-upped himself  by accounting for 8(!) scores in Clemson's 62-48 win against the Wolfpack.

According to the statistics kept on NCAA.com, Clemson ranked 60th in rushing defense defense going into bowl preparation, and 81st in passing defense.  Louisiana State, on the other hand, ranked 44th in rushing offense and 90th in passing offense.  Based on statistics and the eyeball test this season alone, passing wouldn't have been a big part of my game plan if I were LSU.  At all.

As a matter of fact I would have been quite busy devising a way to keep my offense on the field for as long as possible (read: "run the damn ball"), because Tajh Boyd IS a freaking witch and Chad Morris' offense has enough speed with or without Sammy Watkins to ruin anyone's New Year's Eve.  Let's get to the particulars:

Never mind the less-than-glamorous Clemson defensive statistics, every time Zach Mettenberger took more than a 3-step drop he got pummeled by an inspired Clemson pass rush.  Conversely, LSU running back Jeremy Hill was averaging 10 yards a carry every time he got the ball stuffed in his midsection.  He was so dominant that he finished with 120 rushing yards on 12 carries.  Wait, what?

Twelve carries?

Yet, given the evidence in front of them when it was time to give the defense a much-needed rest and wind the clock down, what did the Mad Hatter and his staff do?

First, the Tigers forced a Clemson punt and took the ball at their own 11-yard line with 1:21 left in the third quarter.  After a short Hill rush on first down, LSU put the ball in the air twice only to see both passes fall incomplete.  Aided by an offisides call on third down and 7, Les Miles decided to run again...with approximately 142 orange jerseys in the box.  Punt.

LSU then allowed a field goal, and took the opening kickoff to their own 39-yard line with 9:15 to play.  Up 8, with good field position, again with less than 10 to play.  Here's your LSU play sequence:

1. Rush (by Not Jeremy Hill) for three yards
2. Pass for one yard loss
3. Pass play resulting in a sack for a loss of 9 yards

The subsequent Clemson drive resulted in a touchdown and a failed two-point conversion, giving LSU the ball on their own 39 with a two-point lead and 2:43 to play.

Pass, pass, pass, punt, disaster.

Look, I've followed SEC and ACC football for many moons.  I've got no problems giving Clemson credit for what they did well.  They were and are the superior offense (I'm good at analysis like that) and their pass rush was stellar.  The prosecution would like to point out to the jury, however, that Clemson was still losing by a touchdown in the fourth quarter and LSU had multiple opportunities to ice the victory- despite the Playstation-type numbers being put up by the orange Tigers.

Let's be clear about this:  Clemson may be enjoying the credit many are giving them for creating clutch "three and outs" to give Tajh Boyd a chance to orchestrate a comeback, but the illogical playcalling by the hapless LSU coaching staff was their biggest asset.  It may be cliche', but when plays need to be made you need to find your playmaker.  In this case, Jeremy HIll was ignored during a time when he was most needed.

There is no statistical category on the NCAA web page for "inexplicable coaching decisions" (probably because they'd have to call said decisions, "Dooleys"), but perhaps there should be.  If Northern Illinois had somehow beaten Florida State in the Orange Bowl, you could have put Jimbo Fisher right there with Les Miles- for the same offense.  This is becoming far too frequent for the Hatter, however, and time will tell how long the Bayou faithful will stand behind their coach.

Bless his heart.



-John