2007 LSU Sugar Bowl Blog
From Dec. 27 through the 2007 Allstate Sugar Bowl, Mike the Tiger’s blog (MikeBlog) will be updated below. Enjoy the experience through the Eye of the Tiger.
Jan. 3, 2007
MikeBlog – Part VIII
The test is over and all questions have been answered. LSU 41, Notre Dame 14. WOW! What a whoopin’.
For the third time in six years, Tigers fans stormed the Superdome and left victorious. More important was how the battle was won. To be honest, the score could have been a lot worse. But, each of the 41 points felt so good.
ANSWER No. 1: Russell better than Quinn
Watching JaMarcus Russell pick apart the Notre Dame secondary time and time again was a thing of beauty, while Brady Quinn struggled to find open receivers down the field. Take away a fumble that should have been tucked away and a fourth-quarter interception, and Russell had a perfect game. He was truely the Most Outstanding Player. If we’re lucky enough to have Russell back next season, he’ll spend a week in December 2007 in New York for a trophy presentation.
ANSWER No. 2: No, Notre Dame can’t match LSU’s speed
Kudos to the LSU defensive backs, who played without Jessie Daniels for the first half. Notre Dame was lucky. If Daniels (and injured linebacker Ali Highsmith) had played in the first half, the Irish may have been shutout. Notre Dame managed only 30 yards of total offense on 16 second-half plays. Quinn simply had no one to throw the ball to other than tight end Jeff Samardzija. No disrespect to the two-sport star, but when LSU runs an end-around we had off to a world-class sprinter, not a 6-5 minor-league righthander.
ANSWER No. 3: Miles earns his place in LSU history
Les Miles couldn’t have asked for a better day. Not only did he and his team win an 11th game for the second-straight season, he did it in a BCS bowl game on national television against Notre Dame. The neatest thing about it: all week, he knew it was coming. He was so excited before the game, because he KNEW his team was going to be on top of a blowout game. I’ve never seen a coach more excited to before the game.
On top of the huge win, Miles also got another monkey off his back. In the eyes of the ever-demanding fan base, Miles should no longer be “the guy LSU hired to replace Nick Saban.” Tigers fans will surely rally behind Miles to be “the man who will lead LSU to beat Nick Saban.”
In South Louisiana, we call that lagniappe.
I hope you enjoyed the ride. When the dust settles, the Tigers will be ranked in the Top 3 in the nation. And, just think: National Signing Day is only 35 days away (Feb. 7)!
Geaux Tigers!
Jan. 2, 2007
MikeBlog – Part VII
One more day, one more press conference. The two head coaches got together today for one final media meeting before the Sugar Bowl. Both, it seems, are enjoying the experience but have run out of topics to discuss. It’s time to play.
Tomorrow’s gameday. The day we’ve all looked forward to. We’re finally going to be able to find out if the LSU offense is that much better than the Notre Dame defense. We’re going to find out if JaMarcus Russell should have been in New York with Brady Quinn for the Heisman Trophy ceremony a few weeks ago. We’re going to find out if Notre Dame’s defense can keep up with LSU’s speed on the edges. Finally, we’re going to find out if LSU will continue to solidify its place among the elite programs in college football.
Since 2000, LSU has slowly re-climbed that ladder — winning a National Championship sure helped. Now, it’s LSU’s turn to prove that it can not only play in a BCS or January bowl every season, it can also win those games against the best of the best. Notre Dame, despite a couple of blowout losses, represents the next rung on that ladder.
It’s going to be a heck of a game, I think. Tune in at 5 p.m. CT tomorrow when the pregame broadcast begins. I’ll be watching to see how all of the things I’ve wrote below play out.
Play ball!
Jan. 1, 2007
MikeBlog – Part VI
Happy New Year, Tiger Fans!
The BCS Bowl games have started, so we know that the Sugar Bowl is getting close. Congrats to Boise State. What a game.
Events are winding down here in New Orleans, as the players earned a night away from a set schedule. The guys enjoyed the city each in their own way and once again represented LSU off the field as well as they have on the field.
There were no formal press conferences and no public appearances for the players.
The next 48 hours will say a lot about LSU football and its place in the nation’s football landscape. With a win, LSU once again reminds those around the country that they played four top-8 teams on their home field and came out with two loses. With a win, the Tigers likely finish in the Top 3 in the country, maybe No. 2. With a win, Les Miles and his staff earn their 22nd win in two seasons. With a win, LSU fans with party after the game on Bourbon St. for the third time in six years — let’s be honest, they’ll probably party even if the Tigers lose.
Let’s not even talk about a loss. The media doesn’t think it can happen. The odds-makers don’t think it could happen. However, it’ll all be decided on the field in the next couple of days.
I sure hope that party comes after a win.
Dec. 31, 2006
MikeBlog – Part V
It says a lot about a college football program when you look to the person next to you and say, “I haven’t spent many New Year’s Eves in Baton Rouge this century.” That’s the conversation that was going around today, as LSU looked toward another New Year in a high-profile bowl game. What a wonderful situation to get used to for both the men and women who work so hard all year to get here, and for the thousands of fans who take their vacations with the Tigers.
Sunday was another busy one for the Tigers, getting up early for meetings and practicing at the New Orleans Saints’ Training Facility. The indoor field was much like the one adjacent to the LSU Football Operations Center on campus.
After practice, many of the guys grabbed a bite to eat before attending chapel services and getting heading to visit children in a local hospital. More team meetings followed, then dinner, then the guys boarded a Mississippi River boat to watch a midnight fireworks show. With the bad weather far to the East, this was another great evening for the players, coaches and their close friends and family.
LSU’s defensive unit and Notre Dame’s offense were in the spotlight — or microscope — today. As this week of press conferences progresses, it seems like this bowl in the media’s eyes is more “Russell vs. Quinn” than “Tigers vs. Irish.”
Though the two will (likely) not be on the field together whatsoever, the potential showdown is exciting. While LSU’s defense has statistically been superior, Quinn’s number’s cannot be ignored: 3,278 yards passing, 35 TD’s (at least 3 in 9 of 12 games), 5 INT (3 of those in a loss to Michigan). Neither can Russell’s: 2,797 passing yards, 26 TD, 7 INT (3 at Florida and at Tennessee), 240 positive rushing yards (subtracting 15 sacks for 114 yds.).
Once again, I think the game is still between LSU and Notre Dame. But, watching which defense can stop these two stud quarterbacks will be fun. I think LSU’s has done that a few times in the past….
Happy New Year to all!
Dec. 30, 2006
MikeBlog – Part IV
The cliche indicates that today should have been the calm before the storm. Based on the weather than came through New Orleans (and even worse up I-10 in Baton Rouge), the storm has certainly arrived.
Today was LSU offensive vs. Notre Dame defense in the media world — or at least that’s how the Allstate Sugar Bowl’s formal press conferences are matched. LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher and some of his players spent a good bit of their time reminding the media that Notre Dame’s a darn good team. Notre Dame’s assistant coaches and players couldn’t help but to talk about quarterback JaMarcus Russell.
Most LSU fans saw what USC did to Notre Dame (44-24) on the day after LSU’s win over Arkansas, so the comparison of LSU’s offense to Notre Dame’s defense is obvious. However, most LSU fans also thought they’d be in Pasadena for New Year’s….so, who knows? One way or the other, it should be a great game for the fans.
Some say that LSU’s in a lose-lose situation: “Beat the Irish, so what? The Tigers were huge favorites; Lose. How did that happen?”
I have to disagree. LSU’s in a win-win situation for Les Miles‘ second-year program on a national stage. When the Tigers play on national television; in an exclusive TV time slot; behind a quarterback that could one day be a No. 1 draft pick; and the nation’s No. 1 defense; against the most storied program in college football history; and their Heisman candidate of a quarterback; in the state that’s recovering from the biggest natural disaster in history; in a restored building that was the epicenter of that disaster … it’s a story that will have an impact on the entire nation — win or lose.
I can’t wait!
Tomorrow, the team trades places with the New Orleans Saints, as the Saints play Carolina in the Superdome and LSU practices at their Training Facility.
Dec. 29, 2006
MikeBlog – Part III
Getting settled in New Orleans hasn’t been difficult. The first few days of most bowl trips are spent figuring out where the hotel elevators are located, where the nearest McDonald’s can be found late at night, and how to get to and from the arena. We didn’t have this to worry about this year, which has been nice.
The team is getting into the bowl rhythm: meetings, practice, media obligations, community service, meetings, team party, curfew. But today was something special.
About 35 members of the team went to New Orleans’ Ninth Ward to help Habitat for Humanity in their quest to rebuild houses in the city. Though I didn’t make the trip, all that I spoke to were obviously effected by the trip. To see the areas of the city most devastated by the flooding through your own eyes was something that these guys will appeciate forever and pass along to their children, and their children’s children. It’s truly an amazing sight.
The image of our players wearing all gold in front of a brand new purple house in New Orleans is beautiful. All Tigers fans should be proud of the positive stories such as this that are happening in New Orleans.
Tomorrow’s another day in the bowl routine, with a little something special in the afternoon. The team will attend the Katrina Relief Basketball Classic at the New Orleans Arena at 2 p.m., when the No. 6 LSU women’s basketball team meets Louisiana Tech. It will be another great event for LSU and this great city.
Dec. 28, 2006
MikeBlog – Part II
Coming back to New Orleans is something special. From a National Championship to a Women’s Final Four to 12 previous Sugar Bowls … and on and on. This city is truly a part of LSU athletics. And we’re back again to start another New Year in the Crescent City!
Got to New Orleans a little before the team today. Wanted to get a good vantage point when coach Les Miles and his men in black arrived on four Allstate Sugar Bowl buses. So, I parked my paws out front of the Hilton Riverside. When the sirens of the police escort were audible, the reality that bowl week is here hit me.
The team was greeted by a few hundred fans, along with countless Sugar Bowl reps in their navy blue jackets. The few drizzles in the air couldn’t dampen the excitement of the moment.
LSU safety Craig Steltz along with punter/placekicker Chris Jackson ? both New Orleans natives ? joined coach Miles and quarterback JaMarcus Russell in speaking to the throng of media on hand to witness and report on the event (SHAMELESS PLUG No. 1: watch these interviews in the Geaux Zone!)
The team headed over to Mulate’s Restaurant for private party and dinner tonight before taking an early curfew. (SHAMELESS PLUG No. 2: Mulate’s Party Hall will also be the site of the Les Miles Show presented by Whitney Bank on Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 7 p.m.!)
Practice is a 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Superdome. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I can’t wait!
Dec. 27, 2006
MikeBlog – Part I
It’s be 34 days since LSU roasted the Hogs in Little Rock. Thirty-four days of waiting for the next meal.
Dinner will be served at 7:25 p.m. on Jan. 3. Party of about 70,000 expected. Irish Tiger Bait is the main course.
Tomorrow’s the big day. We’ll take the 70-mile stroll down Interstate-10 to the Riverside Hilton in New Orleans. The hard-working equipment managers have left earlier today to setup the hotel and the Louisiana Superdome for the Tigers arrival.
I’m sure the world wants to know just how well New Orleans has recovered from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina some 16 months ago. Hopefully, the 73rd Allstate Sugar Bowl will help to continue the tradition of college football in the Crescent City and help the city get one more step back to the culture for which it’s known.
Over the next eight-plus days, I’ll give you a little insight as to what really goes on when the Tigers take a bowl trip. I’m sure you’re asking, “Why are they leaving so early?” Hopefully it will all make sense by next Thursday morning.
One of the many events that the 125-man LSU football team will attend while in New Orleans will be the Katrina Relief Basketball Classic presented by 84LUMBER on Dec. 30. This inaugural event created by Women’s Basketball head coach Pokey Chatman will benefit LSU Operation Rebound‘s New Orleans-based charities — another way that LSU is trying to help New Orleans rebuild and re-establish its collegiate athletics roots. Tipoff between LSU and Louisiana Tech will be at 2 p.m. at the New Orleans Arena. Get your tickets and bid on awesome auction items now! All proceeds benefit this wonderful charity.
Don’t forget The Show presented by Whitney Bank, a one-hour radio call-in show that will be held live at Mulate’s on Julia St. near the Hilton. I’ll be there at 5 p.m. when the doors open for the 7 p.m. show.
The team will also make a million media appearances, sign autographs until eBay is full, make visits to local hospitals to bring the spirit of the holidays to those who are sick, and much more.
Enjoy the trip! The Tigers are coming to New Orleans!