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 Players Use Twitter to Support Jordan Jefferson's Return

Jefferson scored in his first game back w/ LSU.
Photo via AP

Social media has changed sports.


LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson made his return to the LSU football team versus the Kentucky Wildcats last Saturday. He was showered with boos when entered the game in the first half.


Les Miles wasn't pleased with LSU fans after the game. He said he had never booed at a sporting event and fans should be their to support the team.


His players reiterated the same message to the media. But some even went to Twitter to voice their opinions, all backing the senior quarterback.


LSU receiver Rueben Randle left Tiger fans no wiggle room with his tweet.


"I don't preciate how our fans booed JJ wen he got in. Either u wit US or not. That wasn't necessary."


LSU offensive guard T-Bob Hebert said fans who showed their displeasure shouldn't be Tigers fans anymore.


"Anybody who booed #jj9 today needs to stop watching #LSU games and stop cheering for the tigers, we don't need you and don't want you"

Nothing changes on the defensive side of the ball. Morris Claiborne, who was written Jefferson's number on his bicep for every game the quarterback has missed this season, said the team will never leave the Jefferson's side.


"S/O to my boy JJ9 it's good to have u bk man. U no we will always have your bk #team LSU!!"


Twitter has revolutionized sports. With limited interview access to student athletes, Twitter allows them to voice their opinion at any time.


Last week I took a deeper look into which players use Twitter.

LSU Needs to be Careful With Russell Shepard

Deci$ions. Deci$ions. 

Can Shepard make big plays vs WVU?
Photo via USA Today

If anybody is known for making the tough deci$ions, it's LSU coach Les Miles. That's why "The Mad Hatter" gets just under $4 million smackers a year in salary. 

From staying away from Michigan twice to going for it on fourth down to picking which blade of grass to eat, Miles seems to always be right. This season, "The Mad Hatter" hasn't had to make many difficult ones on the field because of his team's dominating performance in their first three games. 

But one of Miles toughest decisions will be in Morgantown next weekend. 

The piquant, joyous LSU receiver Russell Shepard is one of the most electric players in college football when he has the ball in his hands. Off the field, Shepard is considered as one of the team's leaders. 

Shepard is the most exciting sound bite on the team. The entertainment factor he brings can't be matched. When I interviewed him for 91.1 KLSU fm, he instructed me on how to increase my "Swag." 

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LSU Offensive Midterms

The brains behind it all
Photo via collegefootballfansite.com

If I had to sum up LSU's offense in one statement, it might just go something like this:

"Damn, Les Miles is pretty self-conscious."

Seriously, only "The Mad Hatter" would be stubborn enough to keep playing a quarterback who is completing only 53% of his passes, has a TD-INT ratio of 2:7 and averaging 5 yards an attempt.

And, best of all, this so called "mobile" quarterback is bruising out a whopping 3.3 yds per carry.

The only conclusions I can think of that is keeping Miles from pulling Jordan Jefferson are either he doesn't want to hurt the kid's feelings or he doesn't want to admit he was wrong for letting JJ keep the keys to the offense for so long, which is garbage when you have a team with National Championship talent.

Now that my Jefferson bash is out of the way, lets take a look at the rest of the offense.

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Peterson, Randle on LSU Victory Over Tennessee

Patrick Peterson talks about LSU's 16-14 victory over Tennessee. Peterson gives some thoughts on No. 7 playing offense.



LSU wide receiver Rueben Randle talks about the final few plays in the Tigers' thrilling 16-14 victory over Tennessee.

Jefferson or Lee? The FULL Breakdown of why Lee Should Start

Should Miles keeping holding on to Jefferson as the starter?
Photo via SaturdayDownSouth

HardKnockTigers would like to introduce new columnist Thomas Powers to the staff. "T-Pain" has been my best friend for a while now, as we've attended countless number of LSU Football games together. He can be reached at thomas.powers10@gmail.com.   

Anyone who has watched LSU's quarterback play against both UNC and Vanderbilt seems to have a common opinion:

"Seriously?"


Jordan Jefferson's play over the first two weeks has been average at best (23-41, 247 yds 2 TDs, 1 INT) and has left a lot to be desired from anyone who has an idea of how football is supposed to be played, which is, you know, scoring touchdowns, gaining yards, etc. "JJ" has left LSU fans doing the unthinkable... wanting Jarrett Lee back.

After witnessing a "Jamarcus-ian" (Raider, not LSU, version) 8-20, 96 yd performance by JJ and Lee completing the first non-screen pass to hit a receiver in stride of the season, more and more Tiger fans seem to be coming to the side I have been firmly standing on for a while...

Giving Lee another shot. Here's why...

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LSU Stifles Vanderbilt 27-3, Moves to 2-0

Ryan Baker shined in his first action of the season
Photo by: George Walker IV/ AP Photo

LSU Football always finds ways to beat teams ugly, even when the scoreline doesn't say so.

The Tigers defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 27-3 in Nashville on Saturday night, but did so as ungracefully on offense as possible.

Les Miles tried many new faces tonight, highlighted by solid performances by Josh Williford at guard and true freshmen Alfred Blue and Spencer Ware at running back.

But if there was a LVP, it would quarterback Jordan Jefferson.


Jefferson went 8-20 for 96 yards. He also threw an interception in the red zone, which is a cardinal sin for a signal caller.

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Three Things to Look For -- LSU versus Vanderbilt Prediction

Jefferson went a pedestrian 20-29 for 138 yards vs Vandy in '08
Photo by: Nola.com

LSU has started the season off with a thrilling-that-shouldn't-have-been-thrilling 30-24 victory over North Carolina. They are now 1-0, heading into their first game versus SEC bottom-feeders Vanderbilt.

Though LSU should win this game with ease, the Tigers always finds to make things interesting at the end. Here are three things to look for on Saturday....

1) Can LSU put together four quarters of high-level football?

An even better question would be, "Can Jordan Jefferson be a consistent quarterback from start to finish?"

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Russell Shepard Mathematics -- LSU Media Day

Russell Shepard Mathematics is simple.

LSU wide receiver + quarterback + running back + 5-star recruit + recruiting ambassador + engaging personality + top end speed + game changer = Elite SEC GameBreaker.

Is my math correct?

Well, for LSU, we will have to wait and see. Last year, the Tigers were toward the bottom of the SEC in offense, particularly in explosive plays.

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