LSU Film Study: How the Final Touchdown From Alabama's T.J. Yeldon Was Scored

CLICK HERE TO READ MY LATEST FILM STUDY FOR ATVS ON HOW THE GAME WINNING TOUCHDOWN HAPPENED FOR THE CRIMSON TIDE.

CLICK HERE TO READ MY LATEST COLUMN FOR DIG BATON ROUGE ON WHY NOBODY IS TO BLAME FOR THE LSU LOSS. 

CLICK HERE FOR MY SEC PICKS FOR THIS WEEK.   

WUBR Fox Sports Radio -- Former LSU Tackle Ciron Black

Former LSU Tackle Ciron Black joined Carter Bryant to talk about the LSU offensive line's breakout performance versus South Carolina, what it was like to play under Les Miles, his most memorable moment with Sam Montgomery, and what the Tigers need to do to improve going forward.

DIG Baton Rouge Archive

Since joining DIG Baton Rouge, I have written on a multitude of subjects. Here are a list of my past articles...

Football Polygamy -- How Fantasy Football Has Ruined Our Viewing Experience

Get a Kick Out of This -- When it Comes to Determining a Champion, Football Fans Should Look Elsewhere 

Gap Blitz -- How Tyrann Mathieu Will Be Missed 

FILM STUDY -- How LSU Misses Mathieu on "The Mustang" Formation

Lending a Hand -- Why Team USA Basketball is Playing the Wrong Sport at the Olympics

Pulling at Threads -- Why Team USA Chinese-Made Uniforms Don't Matter 

What's at Steak -- Paul Mainieri's Career is All About The Beef

College Football's Offseason is the Worst

SEC Power Picks Week 5

SEC Power Picks Week 4

SEC Power Picks Week 3

SEC Power Picks Week 2

SEC Power Picks Week 1

(Video) LSU Commit Jeremy Liggins Highlights and Announcement

Sit back and enjoy LSU's latest quarterback commit Jeremy Liggins. Liggins said LSU was out of the race, but he probably had a change of heart when he figured out how terrible of a program Mississippi State and Ole Miss is compared to LSU. 


If he can't contribute at quarterback as a freshman because of Zach Mettenberger, he can easily fill the hole left by defensive tackle Michael Brockers. Enjoy these highlights from the big fella (via 247 Sports)...




And here is video of Liggins making his announcement to LSU (via TSD)...


Liggins Chooses LSU from Benjamin L Garrett on Vimeo.

Follow me on Twitter @CarterthePower.

(VIDEO) Former LSU Tight End Deangelo Peterson Recaps His Senior Bowl Experience and Offensive Woes Versus Alabama

After the Senior Bowl, Deangelo Peterson feels he increased his draft stock. He also commented on LSU's inability to move the ball on offense. Earlier in the week, Peterson commented on LSU's lack of offensive production due to questionable play-calling and execution versus Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game.




Follow me on Twitter @CarterthePower.

Jordan Jefferson Has No Excuses

Why couldn't Brees be a Tiger for one game?
Photo via NFL Trade Rumors

Sorry for the delay on another post. Life has been difficult with media appearances, school work, life and movies starring Gina Carano. 


I am not a former quarterback or a professional talent evaluator at the position. I have never played the position outside of football camps or in the sandlot. While quarterback is the most glamourous position in sports, it is also the hardest. 

There is so much that needs to go right in order to play quarterback at any level. Do you have the weapons surrounding? Do you have the protection from the big men up front? Are you in the right scheme with a consistent playcalling? Can you handle pressure? How do you react to the good, bad and ugly? Do you have the work ethic? Can you rip apart film and then apply it to your abilities on the field?

As I began to type this column (which was weeks ago), Saints superstar quarterback Drew Brees tweeted he had arrived in San Francisco for their playoff game showdown versus the 49ers. Here is the Tweet...

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BCS National Championship Film Study -- Would LSU Quarterback Jarrett Lee Have Made a Difference? (Part III)

LSU fans shared this same look as Gary Coleman on Jan. 9th
Photo via Black Sports Online

Here is Part I & Part II of the "Would Jarrett Lee Have Made a Difference" film study. I highly advise you read Part II, because it plays a big role in this column. 


LSU fans had hope. 

Struggling quarterback Jordan Jefferson fired a dart, complete to Odell Beckaham Jr. for 19 yards. This was LSU's longest play of the evening, showing the slightest glimpse of optimism for the offense against the wild, raging bulls wearing Crimson on the other side of the ball. 

The LSU offense would struggle to create any offense after that. They only had one play go for over ten yards for the rest of the game. But on this completion to Beckham Jr., there was a cheer of relief amongst the LSU fans. There wasn't much cheering on January 9th, 2012. 


But if you don't like bad news, quit reading this column. This was actually LSU's MOST FRUSTRATING offensive play of the night, as it summed up quarterbacking play of the last four years...never too bad, never too good, but definitely never elite. 

I know what you are thinking..." HOW CAN THIS BE THE 'MOST FRUSTRATING' PLAY OF THE NIGHT? WE ACTUALLY DID SOMETHING POSITIVE! I DIDN'T HAVE TO HEAR 'ROLL TIDE.'" It seems and sounds stupid. You probably have the same face as my friend Gary Coleman in the picture above after reading what I wrote in the previous paragraph.


What I always remind people of is that stats don't lie, but they can deceive. Film never lies or deceive. Let's roll this beautiful bean footage and I'll show you what I'm talking about....

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BCS National Championship Film Study -- Would LSU Quarterback Jarrett Lee Have Made a Difference?

Lee was strapped up, ready to go on Jan. 9th.
Photo via TheSportsFanJournal

LSU fans are reeling the Tigers got their "ass whopped" by Alabama. After the BCS National Championship Game, I have never heard the term "ass-whipping" more in my life. But the Crimson Tide openend every canned flavor of "Whoop-Ass" ever made on the Tigers in the Superdome. I could name more kinds of "Whoop-Ass" flavors the Crimson Tide opened up on Jan. 9th than Bubba Blue could name kinds of shrimp in "Forrest Gump."


After the game, I saw the grounds crew of the Superdome having to scrub the chalk outlines of the LSU offensive line off the turf. Thank goodness the red confetti covered it quickly so it wouldn't be more evident at first. Alabama's defensive front manhandled LSU in the trenches.


The main questions circling around fans is Les Miles' decision not to insert Jarrett Lee after Jordan Jefferson's horrific first half against the Crimson Tide. Horrendous play calling aside, Jefferson sucked. Miles said the pass rush was going to be too much of an issue for Lee. Maybe these next few stats will help make things a little clearer for this quarterback dilema. 

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LSU Versus Alabama Film Study -- Crimson Tide Fight for a First Down

Reid & TR3 went head on all game. This is from the below play.
Photo via Naples News

This piece is a part of the "LSU Versus Alabama Film Study" in route to the BCS National Championship. To read the opening piece on the ultimate reason why Alabama lost to LSU, click here. Here is Part I & Part II of Alabama's first offensive drive. Here is the first installment & the second installment of the LSU offense. 

As many of you know, I am presently in New Orleans covering BCS National Championship Game for numerous outlets. Because of that, I am now going to pick out plays that I found interesting. This study won't be as precise as the other ones, but who cares. I want to go out and party. 


(Side Note: Here are a few interviews I've done so far with Alabama's Jim McElwain and DeQuan Menzie as well as syndicated radio host Paul Finebaum of the "Paul Finebaum Radio Network.")


Here we go. 

Play #21

Trent Richardson runs left for 4 yards, gets first down

This play was actually well defended by LSU, except for a few parts. Let's hit the tape. 

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LSU Versus Alabama Film Study -- The Tigers Continue Their First Drive

LSU WR Randle battled CB Menzie all game on Nov. 5.
Photo via Naples News

This piece is a part of the "LSU Versus Alabama Film Study." To read the opening piece on the ultimate reason why Alabama lost to LSU, click here. Here is Part I & Part II of Alabama's first offensive drive. Here is the first part of the LSU offense. 

                                                                        Play #9

Jarrett Lee to Odell Beckham Jr. for 13 yards. 

Fantastic play call by LSU offensive coordinator Greg Studwara after a great run on first down. Alabama crowded the line of scrimmage, Rueben Randle goes into motion and stops right next to right tackle Alex Hurst. 


Hurst, like he did on the first play, gets beat at the line of scrimmage by Courtney Upshaw off the snap. While pass protection everywhere else was good on the play for LSU, Upshaw gets to Lee quickly. 


Beckham has been fantastic all year on intermediate routes, especially when Lee has been in at quarterback. He is sharp getting in and out of breaks and does a great job not giving away his route to the defensive back. In this case, the defensive back was Coaches All-American cornerback DeQuan Menzie.


Lee does a great of getting rid of the football before Upshaw is able to get to him.  

Read more »

LSU Versus Alabama Film Study -- The Tigers Earn Five Tough Yards on the First Play

Ware wore down the Tide with jabbing runs.
Photo via Uni Watch

This piece is a part of the "LSU Versus Alabama Film Study." To read the opening piece on the ultimate reason why Alabama lost to LSU, click here. Here is Part I & Part II of Alabama's first offensive drive. Today we check in on the LSU offense. 




I would like to first off wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I always love celebrating the birth of my risen savior. But I would like to issue an apology for not posting for over a week now. I had a feeling this would happen.



I have been home with my family in El Dorado, Ark. for the Christmas holidays. During Christmas, I am a volunteer for the Salvation Army. There is not a more rewarding experience than spending time working for them. Plus time with my family is valuable and watching people my age playing football on replay isn't as important as being around my bloodline.


But on top of that, I had to emcee and manage a rock concert put on by "The Swoops" two days before Christmas. Two of the three members are childhood friends and the other is a friend I've made since I've been in college (Yes ladies, all three guys and the sexy emcee/manager is single). It was a rush to be on stage with a damn strong band. 


But now let's get down to business.


Tiger fans were raving about the performance from LSU running back Michael Ford. He rushed for 72 yards on 11 carries while starter Spencer Ware rushed for only 29 yards on 16 carries. 


While the numbers and highlights show Ford had a better game, Ware was just as important. Despite his smaller stature, Ware punishes wimpy tacklers that stand in front of him. 


The comparison between the two can be compared to a boxer's punches. Ware's runs served jab punches to the Alabama defense while Ford connected on flashy hook punches. Like the final devastating left hook thrown from a championship boxer, Ford's run in overtime was the most highlighted offensive success replayed from this game. Most of Ford's yards came from brilliant execution on option plays. While Ford did a nice job, his yards were more of a byproduct of the play instead of impressive individual runs. 


Ware's case is the exact opposite. The three-man front of Alabama abused the LSU offensive line at crucial moments in this game. But Spencer broke and pushed back numerous tacklers for tough yardage. We will see it here on this play...

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LSU versus Alabama Film Study -- The Rest of the First Drive for the Crimson Tide

This is another installment of my film study in preparation for the Alabama versus LSU rematch. Check out Part I & Part II for more coverage.

Play #2 

AJ McCarron pass completed to Trent Richardson (TR3) for 22 yards

This was one of many plays where LSU left TR3 unaccounted for in the passing game. LSU brought Stefoin Francois on a blitz from the outside and AJ intelligently threw to his best player into space Francois vacated. 

It was a blown assignment for the Tigers. If I were to guess, it would seem TR3's responsibilities should be on linebacker Kevin Minter. TR3 was able to turn it up field and then got in a moster collision with LSU safety Eric Reid. Reid ending up having one of the most important defensive performances in LSU history in this game. 


Safety Brandon Taylor stressed the night of the BCS bowl revealings that they must account for TR3 on every play in the title game.  

Play #3

TR3 tackled for loss by numerous Tigers for -5 yards. 

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LSU versus Alabama Film Study -- Crimson Tide Wins the Opening Play

Montgomery is a key asset to LSU's defense.
Photo via LSU Sports

The LSU defense had one of the gutsiest performances in the history of Tiger football on November 5th. They held a potent Alabama offense to only six points on the road, but the performance wasn't the prettiest.


If SEC games are won in the trenches, as everyone would say, then LSU lost this game. After re-watching this game, Alabama won the battle at the line of scrimmage roughly 75 percent of the time. As you look at some of the plays I will break down in the next few weeks, you will see what I'm talking about. 


But as I pointed out in my last column, the Tigers played some of the best "bend but don't break" defense I have ever seen. Defenses are judged on making plays and stops when you need to the most. The Bayou Bengals were nearly perfect in that aspect.   


In the first drive versus Alabama, the Crimson Tide racked up early yardage but was torn apart at the seams by their kicker Kade Foster. Let's run through the first play of the drive...

Play #1

Trent Richardson runs for 18 yards

This play is textbook Alabama offense over the past couple of years. Offensive coordinator Jim McElwain creates a blocking numbers and matchup advantage, the blocking is in turn perfect and Richardson makes a safety miss for extra yardage.   


Let's first state the obvious. TR3 is so damn good. Every player on LSU knows it. They even Tweet about it. But when the Tigers played fundamental football, they defended him better. On this first snap of the game, this is evident. Let's break down the tape...

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LSU Versus Alabama Film Study -- The Ultimate Stat and Reason Why the Tigers Defeated the Crimson Tide in November

Photo via Wikipedia

LSU versus Alabama played one of the most physical games one could possibly ever witness. The game was a definition of a heavyweight bought at the college level. The Tigers were victorious 9-6 on the fifth of November. 



No matter where you stand on the rematch argument, it is an honor for college football and defensive enthusiasts, such as me, to see these two battle again for all the marbles. Over the past three days, I've re-watched the game. Some of the plays I watched up to 15 times. 


Over the next couple of weeks, I will be posting videos, notes and game photos from plays that really stood out to me.


But it is without reasonable doubt Alabama failing to execute on offense when they needed to the most was the main reason they lost to LSU.  


Usually when referring to two elite football teams, college football fans and pundits always say the team that wins "the battle in the trenches" will win the game. For this game, this was not the case. Alabama's offensive and defensive lines played better than LSU's. The tape didn't lie. 


When I evaluate offense, I usually look for "my guys are better than yours" type of plays. These are plays easily identifiable by defenses but are successful because the offense out-executes their opponents. The Crimson Tide outplayed the Tigers on these kind of plays for a majority of the game. 

The problem occurred with the Alabama coaching staff. They tried to get to cute when they got into LSU territory. This next stat is the ultimate reason why Alabama lost.

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Tyrann Mathieu's Final Heisman Run to New York

Tyrann Mathieu had one of the most thrilling Heisman campaign pushes in the history of college football. If you don't believe me, just take a quick look below.





"The Honey Badger" started the season as the most explosive defensive player in college football. He was then "witheld from play" against Auburn and had a quiet five game stretch. But he then ended the season with a bang.


Mathieu scored two touchdowns on punt returns in as many games. Arkansas and Georgia couldn't stop "The Honey Badger." He nearly scored on a spectacular third, but was shoestringed tackled in the Georgia red zone.


I remember a few weeks ago when I spoke to Mathieu before the Arkansas game. He looked frustrated. Playmakers can get that way when they haven't been making big plays.


I asked him about his struggles versus the Razorbacks the year before. He was burned by Joe Adams on a fourth and three play that sealed the victory for the Hogs. I thought "The Honey Badger" was going to treat me like a cobra.


Instead he gave me a stare I will never forget. 

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LSU Chaplain Ken Ellis Provides Spiritual Comfort to LSU Football

Meet the Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer who mentors LSU players for free.

The Most Influential Man in College Football Nobody Knows About was in Death Valley Saturday Night

Ausberry put together a genius schedule for LSU in 2011.
Photo via Tiger Rag

LSU's MVP Saturday night didn't play a down of football in Tiger Stadium.


Well, he used to play many downs in Tiger Stadium. But he didn't need to throw his pads back on for this game for his presence to be felt this year in college football. Arguably he could be the most influential figure this year for LSU.  


It's Associate Athletics Director Verge Ausberry. 


Ausberry is in charge of scheduling games for LSU. This year's schedule has been treacherous for the Tigers. But with an unblemished record through 11 games, LSU's has earned them the first consensus AP No. 1 ranking by any team since 2008.  


Saturday night couldn't have gone any better for Ausberry. 

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LSU Tailgating UNCUT Part 2 -- Tigers Hit Up Tuscaloosa

This was just too much fun. Click here to watch Part I.

Crimson Tide Pride Helps Tuscaloosa Cope With Tornado Aftermath

During my coverage this weekend of LSU versus Alabama in Tuscaloosa, I made this video on how the city is using Alabama football as a getaway from the tornado rebuilding process.


Listen as ESPN Reporter Erin Andrews, linebacker Courtney Upshaw and Alabama Student Government's Director of Communication Seth Morrow share their stories. 

LSU Needs Jordan Jefferson to Beat Alabama

Lee & Jefferson have worked the two-QB system to perfection.
Photo via Bleacher Report

LSU not only needs "swag" to beat Alabama, they need "Jefferswag." 


Starting quarterback Jarrett Lee has been phenomenal. Thirteen touchdown passes and only one interception is quite a feat for a quarterback who used to have problems with throwing the football to the wrong team. 


Lee has been the field general for this offense and continues to impress with his ability to throw the football on time. Since Jefferson's return to the team, he has been a force running the ball and has passed rather efficiently. 


But this Alabama defense is a different animal. They do everything right. They don't miss tackles. When they do hit you, they make it count with bone crushing blows. 


That's why LSU needs Jefferson. 

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