The Odyssey loves Gene Chizik as a commentator on the SEC Network. Knowledgeable and very well spoken. Chizik also has a national championship in his back pocket, no small thanks to Cam Newton.
However, our criticism-obsessed society views Chizik as a bit of a failure. Less than 2 years after massive rolls of toilet paper were unfurled at Toomer’s Corner, he was unceremoniously pink slipped by the Auburn poobahs after going winless in SEC play.
Let’s fast forward 8 years. Ed Orgeron, formerly viewed as a gravel-voiced country bumpkin, was newly anointed as a Cajun savant in January — courtesy of a 15-0 record that still understates the grandeur of their accomplishment. You get to swagger when you conquer Georgia, Florida, Clemson and Alabama in one season. Toss in Chizik’s former employer, Auburn. Amazing! The Bayou Bengals had a QB, Joe Burrow, who probably had the best season ever for a QB — totally astonishing in every regard.
The experts totally underestimated the effect of massive departures from that magical LSU squad in 2020. Laughably, LSU was nationally ranked 5th in a preseason poll. Meanwhile, the Odyssey was thinking that LSU might indeed finish 5th — in the SEC West!
However, even the Odyssey was surprised at the way LSU has played in its first 3 games. The Tigers were at least 2 TD favorites in each and are sitting at 1-2 with the teeth of their schedule looming.
LSU should be favored in no more 3 games going forward: home games versus South Carolina and Ole Miss and a road tilt at Arkansas. As we write, we think the Tigers are unlikely to win all 3. Right now, we see LSU finishing at 3-7 or, gasp, 2-8.
The way in which LSU has lost their two games is almost as concerning. Arkansas and Kentucky shut down Mike Leach’s Air Raid that romped for 623 passing yards against LSU. If $2.3 million dollar per year hire, Bo Pelini, did not understand the wisdom of playing zone or switching to zone against Mississippi State, he may be overpaid by 2.299 million. Where was Ed O while KJ Costello was going off? A Pelini intervention was warranted.
Many gave LSU a mulligan after its opening face-plant against Mississippi State. Massive attrition, new coordinators and the absence of all-world cornerback, Derek Stingley Jr. , made forgiveness quite understandable.
However, the Missouri debacle is not forgivable. Again, Mizzou receivers were running free, despite missing 3 prominent members of their receiving corps. Worse, the triggerman was raw, redshirt freshman, Connor Bazelak who threw for 406 — despite Stingley’s presence.
Even worse, LSU blew a golden chance to win the game in the final minute, having first down at the Mizzou 1. A Mizzou team that was playing without 3 of its 4 top defensive tackles. LSU had enough timeouts left in its pocket to have ample “free will” in its play calls. After 2 unsuccessful runs, LSU threw the ball twice. Both times, Mizzou defenders made excellent plays to thwart the Tigers. What about a QB sneak, Coach? What about another run? We know that one of Coach O’s strengths is his delegation to coordinators but, sometimes, the head guy just has to take control. LSU’s questionable play calling extended to their 3rd down calls: The Tigers were a telling 0 for 10.
As much as the Odyssey loves Coach O, Saturday is not the only wart in his play-calling resume. Far from it. LSU’s failure at the 1 reminded us of Florida’s 16-10 win at Baton Rouge in 2016. Another epic, late failure at the Florida goal line in the game’s final moments (The irony is not lost on the Odyssey that both these “goal line failure” games were moved because of hurricane issues).
Worst was the arguably the most painful loss for Ole Miss faithful in 2007 — ever. Sporting a 14-0 lead in Starkville in the 4th quarter, the underdog Rebels had surprisingly stopped the Bulldogs stone cold through 50 minutes. Having total game control, Coach O elected to go for a 4th and short at midfield. Stopped! The cowbells clanged hopefully as momentum did a 180. A 48-yard field goal with 18 seconds left gave Mississippi State the most improbable comeback in Egg Bowl history. This faceplant insured the prompt firing of Coach O.
That play-calling history makes the Odyssey worry for you, Coach O! Was Joe Burrow your Cam Newton? Will Ed Orgeron morph into Chizik 2.0? With the postponement of Saturday’s game at Florida, Coach O should feel temporary relief. The more-than-capable Kyle Trask was salivating at the prospect of 500+ passing yards. The Orgeron soap opera is deferred for at least one week but will remain must-see TV.