http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/65923497.html
Just like every other week of the football season, the next several days in Baton Rouge will be filled with LSU fans debating this or that about the Tigers and their place in the Southeastern Conference hierarchy and on the national level.
The difference now, though, is, those debates figure to revolve around a lot more positive vibes than at any time this season.
Because for the first time this season, LSU made the kind of definitive statement it hasn’t in an SEC game for quite a while.
Sparked by an energized offense and a suffocating defense in the first half, the No. 9-ranked Tigers trampled Auburn 31-10 Saturday, expunging whatever remained of the bad taste from a home loss to Florida two weeks earlier.
The victory was the most lopsided against Auburn since a 31-7 rout in 2003 and LSU’s largest margin of victory in an SEC game since it thumped Mississippi State 45-0 to open the 2007 season.
And the triumph comes after two weeks of back-to-basics practice time following a 13-3 loss to the then No. 1-ranked Gators on Oct. 10.
That setback prompted a wave of questions and scrutiny about LSU’s offense, which slogged through the first six weeks of the season averaging only 295 yards per game.
“Our football team went to the open week with the want to improve,” LSU coach Les Miles said.
“This is a nice win, but not one we’re going to rest on and reflect on, but (instead) choose to improve on very ambitiously.”
Although not a flawless performance, the thorough dismantling at Tiger Stadium — especially of one of the SEC’s best offenses — should be the tinder for a new topic of debate in Baton Rouge and around the league.
2theadvocate
10/25/09
Magnolia Tribune
