The Mighty Tigers

The Peach Bowl wasn't something I was really looking forward to. LSU had been blown out by UGA in the SEC title game and JaMarcus Russell was out with a separated shoulder. Miami's defense has been good all year, and LSU's offense had not. So it was with trepidation that I sat in the den with my dad to watch the game.

Missed FG on the first drive, though we didn't look terrible. Miami FG made it 3-0. LSU punt. LSU FG. Then with fourth and inches in the 2nd, Miami surprisingly ran a QB scramble around the right end instead of using its o-line and back to get a few measly inches. Melvin Oliver, who had a great game, knocked him out for a loss. LSU takes over, and on 3rd and 11, Matt Flynn calmly launches a long pass to Craig Davis, who caught a 51 yard TD. 10-3 Tigers. C'est nice.

LSU's D continued to shut down Miami, helped by disgraceful play by WR Lance Leggett, who looked like he was either scared or at least reluctant to go for the ball against the LSU DBs. He would've helped his team more by jumping on a trampoline on the moon. With 23 seconds left in the half, LSU ran a play that beat Florida last year. Shotgun, Addai to the left, Skyler Green in motion from the right, fake handoff to Skyler running left, Addai sneaking out to the right. Under pressure, Flynn (calmly, as he looked all night) floats it out to him, and Addai slips into the front corner of the end zone untouched. 20-3 at halftime, LSU.

Second half was more of the same. Addai rushed for another TD, and Jacob Hester ran for another after Addai went out. I'm not a huge fan of Hester's but this was his best game as a Tiger by far. I tend to think he's overused, since whenever he goes in the defense knows he's getting the ball. He ran hard all night long, bulling over defenders. With Addai and Justin Vincent out, his play was really important.

By this time Miami had quit. Their line wasn't blocking. Their defense wasn't tackling. The final was 40-3, a result of LSU playing their most complete and dominating game of the season, including the Ole Miss and North Texas games. A great way to end the season, and hopefully a big boost to recruiting in February.