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.  

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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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Former Texas Tech Head Coach Mike Leach Joins KLSU Sports

Leach was Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2008.
Photo via Sports Illustrated

Former Texas Tech head coach and Sirius/XM College Football Host Mike Leach will join me today at 4:40 CT on 91.1 KLSU fm to talk about his recent comments on the alleged suspensions of Tyrann Mathieu, Spencer Ware and Tharold Simon. 


Leach told Beyond U Sports if Mathieu, Ware and Simon were on a team he coached, he would cut them. Leach will share what his drug testing policies were at Texas Tech and how he sees the Bayou Bengals shaping up against Auburn. 


Leach co-hosts "College Football Playbook" weekdays from 12-3 ET and is an analyst for CBS College Sports. He also is the co-author of the explosive college football book "Swing Your Sword."


YOU CAN LISTEN TO A LIVE STREAM OF 91.1 KLSU FM BY CLICKING HERE.


You can follow Leach on Twitter @Coach_Leach. 

Listen to the "LSU Pregame Tailgate Show" Friday at 11:30 am and "Out of Bounds" Sunday night at 6 pm CT on 91.1 KLSU fm or www.klsuradio.fm. Follow KLSU Sports on Twitter @KLSUsports. 

Ridley Cleared to Play

LSU running back Stevan Ridley has been cleared to play for the 2011 Cotton Bowl. LSU's leading rusher should certainly give the offense a boost against Texas A&M.

In Ridley's absence, freshman Michael Ford has received plenty of snaps with the first team. Also expect senior Richard Murphy and true freshman Spencer Ware to contribute. 

Full story of Ridley's reinstatement can be read here. (The Advocate)